Best dogs on leash trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
The Hessian Spessart Nature Park was established in 1963 and covers an area of over 740 km². Over half of the park is forested - mixed forest and large stands of oak and beech in particular can be found in the low mountain range landscape. The Hessian Spessart borders the Bavarian state border in the south, where it continues as the Bavarian Spessart. The red sandstone makes it and its flora so special and distinguishes it from its neighboring areas. Bilberry and woodruff can be found on the ground, black knapweed and woodland rampion can be found on the wetter forest edges and in the northern part there are many orchids and other rare plants that grow on the shell limestone grassland. The extensively used grassland areas, woodland meadows, rough pastures and very species-rich meadows of the mountains are another special feature of the nature park. The rare chess flower even has an annual festival dedicated to it, the Altengronau Chess Flower Festival in April. The extensive woodland areas are home to red deer and wild boar, as well as foxes, wildcats and badgers. The beaver has also returned to the stream valleys. In addition to kites, falcons and long-eared owls, the woodpeckers that gave the Spessart its name (Spechts-Hardt) are particularly numerous with great spotted, black, middle-spotted, green and gray woodpeckers.
Plant lovers, animal watchers, hikers and bikers, families with children - everyone can discover the nature park in their own way or together as part of the annual program.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.6 (18)·Easy·2.3 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrLoop with great views in the Spessart, Hesse. The Gelnhauser Panoramaweg is an easy loop that is characterized by fantastic views of the Kinzig Valley. From the blockhouse, several stations, such as the Schillerstein, which commemorates the 100th anniversary of Schiller's death, or the former vineyards in the area of the quarries, can be explored on a short route. The hiking trails are asphalted or paved. Highlights of the hike: - View of the Kinzig Valley - Schillerstein - Heinrichshöhe -...
- 4.6 (11)·Moderate·3.7 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrHistorical hike in the Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. The hike begins at the castle parking lot of the former orangery. The trail leads uphill through the park on beautiful paths in beech forests towards Steckelberg Castle. The ascent to the ruins of Steckelberg Castle, the ruins of a hilltop castle near Ramholz, begins at a large crossroads. From there, the trail leads back to the crossroads and downhill again through Ramholz Castle Park. Back in the valley, the actual park with its...
- 4.1 (9)·Moderate·8 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrBeautiful and varied hike through forest areas near Altenmittlau in the Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. The trail goes through fields and forests; uphill and downhill. There are several beautiful viewpoints and places that invite you to take a little rest. There are also several options for stopping off. A thoroughly varied and recommendable round. Highlights of the hike: - varied forest paths along rivers - Numerous refreshment stops along the way
- 3.2 (7)·Easy·1.4 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrPopular wood sculpture trail near Langenselbold, Hesse. The "Ho Chi Minh Trail" at Langenselbold leads along the Lache and under the dense canopy of the forest. He is known not only for his namesake, the Vietnamese President and the network of paths, which served the Viet Cong to get around during the Vietnam War, but also for his wooden sculptures, which a local artist created. The short circuit is also suitable for families with children. Highlights of the route: - familyfriendly - Wooden...
- 4.0 (1)·Moderate·6.6 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrPanoramic loop trail in the Hessischer Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. This hike can be reached by bus and train (Elm-Denkmal bus stop). For those arriving by car there is parking at the starting point. There are also restaurants in Elm. The route is therefore ideal as a day trip from Frankfurt (Main). The waymarking is a blue 4 on a white background. The hiking trail, which is supervised by the Rhoenklub Elm, starts in the center of Elm and then leads around the city in the north-east. The...
- 5.0 (5)·Moderate·5.2 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrYou should plan a good two hours for the eight-kilometer butterfly trail. Together with the Eulenweg it leads just past the golf course of the Hühnerhof around the Oberwald. At “Lothars Bank” he leaves the Eulenweg to meet him again a few meters downhill. “Lothars Bank” was donated by the city of Gelnhausen to Lothar Krieg, senior official at the end of his duties. He was responsible for the Gelnhausen city forest for years. Together we go past the large solar ranch at the Gelnhäuser Warte,...
- 4.0 (2)·Hard·19.4 mi·Est. 8–9 hrVisitors heading from the Waldhaus Zum Engländer to Bad Orb will find themselves in a peaceful forest of ancient beech and oak trees. This path invites you to explore the Wiesbüttsee, a quiet lake surrounded by a rare highland moor. You can wander across wooden boardwalks to see unique plants like bog cotton and sundew. Look for local woodpeckers, which give the Spessart forest its name. The trail follows the ancient Birkenhainer Straße, a medieval trade route. Because the moorland stays...
- 5.0 (2)·Easy·2.4 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrThe shortest of the loveless hiking trails is marked with a kite. The four kilometers around the Herzberg can be covered in about an hour. From the starting point on Sommerbergstrasse, the path climbs up to the "Fahrstrasse" at the edge of the forest, together with fox, woodpecker, butterfly and owl. There, the Milan turns right as the only path and leads along the edge of the forest to the former forest swimming pool in Roth. At the lower end of the swimming pool area, turn right onto the...
- 5.0 (1)·Hard·19.4 mi·Est. 8.5–9 hrThis trail travels from Heigenbrücken to Bad Orb through the heart of the Spessart Nature Park. The path follows the historic Eselsweg, an ancient route once used for transporting salt. One can stroll under the shade of massive oaks and beeches or across traditional meadow orchards. With a bit of luck, black woodpeckers or wildcats can be spotted. In the valleys, signs of beavers are often found. As forestry work can sometimes leave the paths muddy, sturdy footwear is recommended. Boundary...
- 4.0 (1)·Hard·20.5 mi·Est. 9–10 hrThis scenic route takes visitors through the heart of the Spessart Nature Park, a region famous for having some of the largest deciduous forests in Germany. Starting in the salt-spa town of Bad Orb and heading toward the village of Heigenbrücken, the path leads through a landscape shaped by ancient oaks and towering beeches. You can expect to find a peaceful atmosphere among the trees, where the sounds of woodpeckers—the local symbol of the woods—often fill the air. Along the way, the trail...
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Activities
Attractions
- Easy trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Forest trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Hard trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Lake trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Long trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- River trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Short trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Trails with views in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Hessian Spessart Nature Park
Suitability
Points of interest
- Gradierwerk
- Barbarossa Quelle
- Metzler-Born
- Mittlere Tannenhütte
- Beilstein
- Balthasar-Neumann-Pavillon
- Schloß Ramholz
- Kinzigtalsperre
- Burg Burgjoss
- Burgruine Steckelberg
- Miniatur-Mühlrad
- Klosterruine Sankt Wolfgang
- Ruine der Klosterkirche mit Sakristei
- Brunnenkranz der Klosterruine
- Hermannskoppe
- Burgruine Hüttelngesäß
- Hermannsbrunnen
- Burgruine Beilstein
- Wohnmobilstellplatz Horbach
- Hirschbornteiche