Zellertal – Wine, Trails and Festivals

Zellertal combines winegrowing, hiking and cycling trails, a series of recurring festivals and historic sites. When planning your trip, you can decide whether you mainly want to explore the landscape and winegrowing or combine your stay with a particular event. The attractions and places each have a different focus: the Zellertal Trail highlights winegrowing, while churches, the town hall and markets offer insights into local traditions.

Wine Country and Distinctive Places

The vineyards of the Zellertal cover around 100 hectares. From the higher-lying district of Zell, you can look out over this landscape. The Wodanfelsen, a limestone formation and natural monument, lies west of Zell. Together, these two places show different sides of the surrounding area: views over the vineyards and a distinctive limestone formation.

There are also historic sites in Zell itself. The small Baroque church of St. Philipp der Einsiedler dates from 1749. In Harxheim, the historic town hall dates from the mid-18th century. If you are interested in architectural history, you can connect these sites thematically with local festivals and traditions.

Explore the Zellertal Trail on Foot or by Bike

The Zellertal Trail opened in 2016 as the central hiking trail in the Zellertal and runs directly through the valley. It can be used by both hikers and cyclists. Ten audio stations explain the stages of winegrowing throughout the year and trace the journey from vine to wine. The route is therefore about more than just the landscape; the individual stages of winegrowing are also a theme.

You can access the recordings on your smartphone by scanning QR codes on information signs. Each audio file lasts two to three minutes. This lets you include short audio guides in your exploration of the Zellertal Trail and learn more about winegrowing. The explanations cover the course of the year and complement one another, from vine to finished wine.

Markets, Pilgrimage and Local Traditions

The Traditional Zeller Market takes place in Zell on the second weekend in September. In Harxheim, the Haschemer Kerb is celebrated every year on the fourth weekend in September. The artists’ market takes place on the last weekend in June, in winery courtyards and on the streets, and alternates each year between Harxheim, Niefernheim and Zell. If you would like to combine your trip with one of the festivals, check the dates for your planned travel year.

Another tradition in Zell is the Philipps pilgrimage, which has taken place since 1780 on the Sunday after May 3. It includes a motorcycle pilgrimage organized jointly with the Ottersheim motorcycle club Brothers in Arms. More than 400 motorcycles sometimes take part; the number can vary from year to year. The Philipps Festival is also celebrated in Zell on the Sunday after May 3.

Wine Tastings and Practical Trip Planning

Weingut Schwan in Zellertal-Niefernheim offers wine tastings and winery tours. If you are planning a tour, it is best to check availability for your date in advance. This makes it easy to include the offer in your travel plans.

When looking for a hotel in Zellertal, it can be helpful to first decide on the purpose of your stay: the Zellertal Trail and wine country appeal to different interests than a trip timed around a market, Kerb or artists’ market. Bus routes 921 and 904 are listed as public transport connections to the Zellertal. Check the latest transport information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Alsenz-Obermoschel, Kirchheimbolanden, Münchweiler An Der Alsenz, Wartenberg, Kalkofen, Obermoschel, Göllheim, Schweisweiler.

See the regional travel overview: Donnersbergkreis.