Gelnhausen walks

The circular walk leads from what is now the “Hauptstraße” up to the Wendelinus Chapel and then along the edge of the woodland to the viewpoint overlooking the Kinzig Valley. From there, the route returns to the village, where you reach the starting point again.

From the Gondelteich, the Spessart trail ‘Vorderspessartblick Horbach’ leads across open hills and quiet stream valleys around Horbach. Time and again, sweeping views open up over the Kinzig Valley, into the Wetterau and as far as the Vogelsberg. Along the way, the Krötenweiher, the near-natural Näßlichbach stream and the impressive Mariengrotte provide a variety of sights.

The route passes through all three districts – Gondsroth, Neuenhaßlau and Niedermittlau – taking in their sights. Another stop is the panoramic trail at the Heiligenkopf in Niedermittlau, which offers a lovely view of Hasselroth and Freigerichter Bay, as well as Frankfurt and the Taunus.

The Spessartspur trail starts at the Jahnstraße car park in the municipality of Hasselroth. The circular route leads into the forest past the burnt fir trees and, through ever-changing woodland scenery, steadily uphill to the summit of the Karlsberg. The route descends out of the forest via the Sauloch, offering fantastic views of Somborn and into the Spessart. Shortly afterwards, you reach the Edelweißhütte in Somborn, which is open at weekends. From there, the route continues through fields and orchard meadows towards Gondsroth, offering beautiful views, before returning to the starting point.

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.

The “Aufenauer Berg- und Talspur” combines sweeping views, tranquil forest paths and charming valley sections to create a varied hiking experience. From the Kirchberg, the view opens out over Aufenau and the Kinzig Valley. Historic boundary stones at the tri-border area and the valuable Zelleraue wetland make this Spessart trail particularly varied and rewarding.

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 ‘Niederrodenbach’s Barbarossa Spring and Monastery Ruins’ runs almost entirely along shaded woodland paths and combines the enjoyment of nature with special, atmospheric spots. Along the way, you’ll find the mystical ruins of St Wolfgang’s Monastery and the Barbarossa Spring, idyllically situated in the woods with seating by the spring pond. At the old Hanau Wolfgang Forestry Office, you’ll also be impressed by Hanau’s tallest tree, a giant sequoia.

From the Burgjosser Heiligen car park, the path winds its way towards Roßkopf and then continues westwards at the same elevation to the former military cemetery. There, it crosses the country road and continues northwards towards Wegscheide (an alternative starting point for the tour). Passing the school camp, the route continues to Ameisenrain and through the Orber Stadtwald back to the starting point at the Burgjosser Heiligen car park.

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 ‘Wildly Romantic Hirschborn Ponds’ is a beautiful walking route through the impressive forests of the Hessian Spessart Nature Park. The circular trail along the slopes of the Klingbach Valley runs largely through ancient, pure deciduous forests, which have been part of the ‘Alsberger Hang’ natural forest reserve since 1997. The coexistence of woodrush and wood sorrel beech forests, as well as the stands of old, gnarled sessile oaks, provide a nursery and habitat for bats, rare birds and other wildlife. Enjoy and respect the tranquillity of this beautiful woodland area alongside them.

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.

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 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.

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 Ulmbach High-Altitude Circuit takes you through the open countryside around the western hills of Ulmbach and rewards you with sweeping views of the Vogelsberg, the Kinzig Valley and the Spessart. As you walk alongside the ‘Stubbach bei Ulmbach’ nature reserve, you’ll experience tranquil nature and charming distant views.