Spessart Trail “Aufenauer Mountain and Valley Trail”

This Spessart trail is particularly appealing to anyone wishing to experience the landscape, history and regional industrial heritage in combination. Along the route, historic sites, distinctive buildings and sections of the trail set amidst nature alternate. Information boards bring the history of industrialisation to life, with a regional focus.

The Spessart Trail ‘Steinauer Hochgefühl’ combines sweeping views across the Kinzig Valley as far as the Vogelsberg with peaceful paths through meadows, fields and woodland. Along the way, open landscapes, small clearings and dense deciduous forests alternate in a particularly charming way. There are also impressive natural and cultural sites to explore around Steinau: the historic old town with its castle and the Brothers Grimm House, as well as important nature reserves on the Bellinger Berg and near the Neudorfwiesen.

The circular walk starts in Lettgenbrunn. Not far from the source of the Jossa, this scenic route alternates between narrow paths through the forest, along the edges of woodland and across colourful meadows. Coming from the direction of Pfaffenhausen, in spring – alongside the beautiful panoramic views that can be enjoyed all year round – an avenue of wild cherry trees, cloaked in white blossom, is a real sight to behold. Another highlight is the legendary Beilstein – a basalt rock formation with numerous columns that has been a protected natural site for a very long time.

The Spessart Trail starts at the ‘Langer Grund’ car park and, accompanied by the clear, young River Jossa, leads towards the source of this small Spessart stream. On the outskirts of Lettgenbrunn, the path climbs gently uphill and runs alongside dense green hedgerows, offering sweeping views over the Jossa Valley and the wooded hilltops of the Spessart. In the forest, by the moss-green charcoal burner’s hut and an old boundary stone adorned with a coat of arms, the trail crosses the Spessart trail ‘Junge Jossa Lettgenbrunn’ and leads downhill along quiet, unspoilt paths back to the starting point. In this way, the route combines tranquil forest sections and stretches offering splendid views in a particularly charming manner.

The Minenwerfergrund car park is situated in the valley of the young River Jossa and still bears its name from the Second World War. Today, however, the starting point of the Spessartspur is a wonderfully peaceful spot in the heart of nature. Along the way, the many impressive mounds of the red forest ant are particularly eye-catching.

Sunbeams illuminate the forest-surrounded valley of Lohrhaupten, tickling the walker’s nose and giving them a cosy, warm feeling – always walking towards the sun, or, walking anti-clockwise with its glow at your back, is the motto of the ‘Fine Weather Trail’, which offers that very special mountain feeling.

The route starts in front of the community centre. From there, the path leads uphill, past the ‘Matthäuskirche’ parish church. Here, the first view of Lohrhaupten and the Gelnhäuser Valley opens up, inviting you to take it all in. At the “Widdehuh” hilltop, at an altitude of 507.8 metres, walkers are treated to a wealth of unique views. The Spessartspur circular route leads back to Lohrhaupten via paths through fields, woods and meadows, offering a variety of natural sights along the way.

The trail starts at the Fernblick car park and follows the Spessartbogen downhill to the old Rodfeldeiche oak and on into the valley. From the edge of the forest, there are many different and new views and panoramic vistas of the landscape. Along the outskirts of Neuses, the path leads gently uphill again, offering further stunning views of the Vorspessart landscape. After crossing the access road to Fernblick, the Spessartspur runs through the forest and rejoins the Spessartbogen long-distance hiking trail. Together, the Bogen and the Spur lead back to the Fernblick car park.