Dinotherium Trail Eppelsheim

The signage starts at the footpath below the sports field. We follow the former village moat and are at the first special feature of the path: the Effenkranz. The tree-lined circular path is protected as a natural monument and runs as a 1.3 km long nature trail through the village.

However, we do not walk the entire Effenkranz but follow it northwards to the intersection of Gau-Heppenheimer Straße/Am Dorfgraben. From here we leave the Effenkranz.

The signposts showing a Dinotherium skull lead us out of town. Through the vineyards, the route goes over paved farm roads to the "Am Huckenhof" nature reserve. An information board tells the story of the site, which was originally a munitions depot and now hosts a great diversity of protected animals and plants.

At this point, the trail splits. Whether we cross the Huckenhof half right or half left basically doesn't matter. We choose the half-right path. Along the way, we pass several info boards with interesting information about the flora and fauna of the region.

At the end of the recreational area, we must be careful not to miss the small (signposted) path leading out of the Huckenhof area.

Now the trail continues westwards and soon we see the archaeological excavation site "Sandkaut," where excavations are carried out by the Natural History Museum Mainz.

The route continues partly over grass, mostly over farm roads. Here we can enjoy the magnificent view.

Shortly before the entrance to Eppelsheim, the path turns left. If you wish, you can briefly leave the hiking trail here and walk a few meters straight ahead to look at the Jewish cemetery.

Back in Eppelsheim, you soon reach another landmark of the town: the Dalberger Tower cultural monument with the open-air stage.

The signposts lead us back onto the Effenkranz. In the shade, there is a cozy place to sit for a short rest. After a few hundred meters, we leave the Effenkranz and reach the old town center.

Passing the Scheunencafé and the town hall, which houses the Dinotherium Museum, it is just a few meters back to the starting point, the car park at the sports hall.