Best partially-paved 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
- 4.5 (40)·Easy·5.7 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrPopular hike in the Hessian Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. This hike leads around the Kinzig dam. At the end of the day of hiking, you can spend some time in Steinau and stop by a restaurant or stop by the castle. Highlights of the hike: - Steinau an der Straße - Kinzig dam - Detour to Steinau Castle
- 3.9 (18)·Moderate·7.8 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrVaried loop in the Hessian Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. The route starts at the parking lot Klosterruine and leads through the forest to the old forestry office with the forest store, where you can buy a good selection of regional products (note opening hours). The undisputed hike highlights are the Wolfgang monastery ruins and the Barbarossa spring. Past the vineyards and through the nature reserve "Niederrodenbacher Steinbrüche," it returns to the starting point. There is a possibility to...
- 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...
- 4.1 (5)·Moderate·9.3 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrPopular loop in the Hessian Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. This popular loop starts at the wildlife park in Bad Orb and leads along beautiful forest paths to Forsthaus Beilstein. The trail leads past a Kneipp facility and barefoot path back to the wildlife park. Highlights of the hike: - Wildlife park with petting enclosure - Kneipp facility & barefoot path - Refreshments available (Café Waldfriede in Bar Orb)
- 4.6 (2)·Hard·13.4 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hrCharming circular hiking trail in the Hessischer Spessart Nature Park, Hesse. The nature reserves "Hundsgraben bei Elm und Weinberg", "Am Stein bei Elm" and "Giebel bei Elm" are particularly beautiful. History buffs like to take a detour to the high medieval Brandenstein Castle. Highlights of the hike: - Schluechtern - Optional detour to Brandenstein Castle - Hundsgraben nature reserve near Elm - Nature reserve Weinberg and Giebel near Elm
- 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...
- 4.2 (5)·Hard·8.3 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrPopular loop trail in the Spessart, Hesse. The Gelnhaeuser loop trail 5 offers the best conditions for a wonderful hike, which is also suitable as a small workout. In the first half of the hike, you often walk uphill until you reach the highest point of the route on the "Kuhruh" mountain. The way back, on the other hand, is much more relaxed. Highlights of the hike: - Kuhruh (333 m above sea level) - Gelnhausen - idyllic forest trails
- 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,...
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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