Auf den Spuren der Hugenotten und Waldenser

From the Black Forest to the Heckengäu along the European long-distance cultural trail

On the trail of the Huguenots and Waldensians through the Heckengäu, that means hiking with exciting history in wide, diverse landscapes

The altogether 1800 km long cultural long-distance hiking trail follows the real historical escape route of the Huguenots from the Dauphiné from Poët-Laval in the Drôme region in southern France via Geneva to Baden-Württemberg and their further route through Hesse to Bad Karlshafen. The exile route of the Waldensians coming from the Piedmont valleys of Italy joins the Huguenot route shortly before the Swiss border in Geneva. The route continues through Switzerland to Schaffhausen.

The Heckengäu is a wonderful place to discover Waldensian history on foot. Several Waldensian villages characterize the cultural landscape of the Heckengäu: Neuhengstett (municipality of Althengstett), Perouse (town of Rutesheim), Lucerne (municipality of Wurmberg), Pinache (municipality of Wiernsheim) and Dürrmenz (town of Mühlacker). All of these Waldensian villages, which were founded by Duke Eberhard Ludwig of Baden-Württemberg in the hope of boosting the state's development, are located on the Huguenot and Waldensian Trail.

The emblem of the "Huguenot and Waldensian Trail" cultural long-distance hiking trail consists of the following elements:

The disk
Recalling the "méreau", a token minted in coin form that allowed Huguenot parishioners access to the secret celebration of the Lord's Supper.

The shade of blue
The typical "chairrette-bleu" of the Dauphiné, the lavender-like blue of carts, doors and shutters.

The figure in the window

This figure is taken from a "méreau" and shows walkers their way.

The green line
It symbolizes the long route of the long-distance cultural trail through the different landscapes of Europe.