Sinntal walks

Around the source of the Kinzig, walkers will find a slice of the Rhön within the Spessart: ridges offering unobstructed views contrast with the densely wooded hills typical of the Spessart. They allow you to see for miles – all the way to the Wasserkuppe in the Rhön. The abundance of panoramic views is what makes this 13.6 km-long Spessart trail around the basin formed by the Kinzig and its first tributaries so special.

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 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 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 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.

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 “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.