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Kelkheim
Hesse, Germany
Castles
Photo by X-angel, license: CC BY-SA 4.0
Kelkheim is a pleasant town in the Main-Taunus district of Hesse, set on the southern slopes of the Taunus mountains about 20 km west of Frankfurt. The town itself is a comfortable residential community with a good local centre, but its appeal for visitors lies in its position at the edge of the Taunus Nature Park, where forest paths lead up to ridges with views over the Rhine-Main plain. The main historical draw nearby is Burg Eppstein, a striking medieval castle ruin in the adjacent town of Eppstein, reachable on foot through the forest and home to a small museum. Königstein im Taunus, with its own impressive hilltop castle ruins and a lively spa town character, is just a few kilometres further. The area around Kelkheim is good for cycling, and the town's location makes it a quiet base for exploring the Taunus.
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Things to Do
- •Hike through the Taunus forest from Kelkheim to Burg Eppstein, the dramatic medieval castle ruin above the Eppbach valley
- •Climb the keep at Burg Eppstein for panoramic views over the Taunus foothills and the Rhine-Main plain
- •Walk the Taunus ridge trail from the Kelkheim area toward Feldberg, the highest peak in the Taunus mountains
- •Explore the castle ruins and old town of Königstein im Taunus, a short drive or cycle north
- •Cycle or walk along the Schwarzbach river valley through the gentle Taunus landscape
- •Visit Bad Soden am Taunus, a historic spa town at the foot of the Taunus with thermal springs, 5 km south
Nearby Attractions
- Königstein im Taunus — a spa town beneath its own impressive hilltop castle ruins, 8 km north
- Burg Eppstein — a well-preserved medieval castle ruin with a museum, reachable on foot from Kelkheim
- Feldberg — the highest point in the Taunus mountains with observation tower and panoramic views, 15 km north
- Frankfurt am Main — Germany's financial capital with a stunning old town, great museums and lively market halls, 20 km east
- Eltville am Rhein — a charming Rhine wine town with castle ruins and rose gardens in the Rheingau, 15 km south
Monthly Weather
January
4°/-1°
Least crowded
60mm
Cold and often overcast. Snow possible in the upper Taunus.
Cold. Good as a base for day trips into Frankfurt.
February
5°/-1°
Least crowded
55mm
Still cold. Some bright days between grey spells.
Still cold but quiet. The Taunus forest is peaceful.
March
10°/2°
60mm
Early spring. The forest begins to wake up.
Early spring. Good for a first forest walk.
April
14°/5°
65mm
Fresh and green. Good for hiking with some showers.
Fresh and blooming. The Eppstein hike is lovely.
May
19°/9°
Best weather
75mm
Warm and lush. Excellent for forest walks and castle visits.
Excellent for hiking and castle visits.
June
22°/12°
Best weather
80mm
Warm and pleasant. One of the best months for the Taunus.
Warm and ideal for the Taunus trails.
July
25°/14°
75mm
Hot and sunny with thunderstorms possible.
Warmest month. Good for full-day hikes.
August
24°/14°
65mm
Warm and good for hiking. Slightly fewer showers than July.
Good for hiking. Slightly less rain than July.
September
20°/10°
Best weather
60mm
Mild and clear. The Taunus forest turns golden.
Best month for the Taunus. Clear, mild and colourful.
October
14°/6°
60mm
Autumn colour in the forest. Cooler but still pleasant.
Beautiful autumn colour in the forest.
November
7°/2°
Least crowded
65mm
Wet and grey. The castle ruins are atmospheric in mist.
Atmospheric and quiet. The castle ruins are misty.
December
4°/-1°
60mm
Cold and quiet. Frankfurt's Christmas markets are close by.
Cold. Frankfurt Christmas markets are easy to reach.
Best weatherLeast crowded
