Spessart Trail: “Steinau Devil’s Cave and Bergweiher Trail”

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

Two walking trails, which are connected, start at the village community centre in Wettges. The Steinches Trail circles Wettges’ local mountain, Steinches (466 m), offering sweeping views of the peaks of the varied Vogelsberg volcanic landscape. The Sälzwässer Loop leads through meadows and fields to the Sangmühle, with its stream framed by woodland and the water lily pond. A circular route then takes you along meadow paths, past more small, idyllically situated ponds, and back to the starting point via the connecting path, once again passing the Sangmühle.

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.

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.