Spessartbogen

Stage 1

From Langenselbold to Horbach. The Spessartbogen starts with a gentle ascent at the "Buchberg" hiking parking lot above Langenselbold train station. Through a mixed forest dominated by beech trees, the trail climbs up to the Buchberg, where the old stone observation tower beckons with its first magnificent panoramic view over the wooded Spessart. The view above the trees extends much further west to the skyline of Frankfurt and the low mountain ridges of the Taunus behind it. The trail continues past Oberrodenbach and leads past the "Dicke Tanne" forest playground before the forest opens up towards Freigerichter Bucht. Following the trail of the old trade route "Birkenhainer Straße", you hike across the open landscape with a view of Somborn. The Trages farm is located in the immediate vicinity of the trail. Its history dates back to the Middle Ages. Where the Wehmig meanders out of the beech forest as a small stream, the Spessart arch disappears again under the fresh canopy of leaves, and the "Fernblick" observation tower above the Rodfeld provides the second magnificent view on this stage. The view stretches as far as the Wetterau lowlands and the volcanic massif of the Vogelberg. As the trail continues, hikers can expect a variety of changing landscape impressions. At one point, sections of the trail lead along small streams, then back onto open forest edges with wide views, before finally leading through a beech forest flanked by thick oaks to the idyllically situated gondola pond in Horbach.

Stage 2

From Freigericht-Horbach to Bad Orb. It is a lively sandstone stream that winds through the Wiesental valley, marked by alders. There are unforgettable moments early in the morning when the sun glistens through the morning mist and sets the mood for the famous Mariengrotte. After a contemplative pause at the pilgrimage site, the route continues with fresh energy up the wooded valley slope to the toad pond. Alternating between fields and meadows, the seeker of happiness hikes across the clearing island of Waldrode. Until one of these moments catches him again. Until a colorful panorama draws the eye into the distance to the skyline of the Rhine-Main metropolis. Forest and fields follow above Linsengericht, past the youth hostel, over the Breitenborner Höhe, until the sunny edges of the forest turn into silence again. The descent from the ridge opens up flower-filled meadows in the valley of the Lützelbach stream, which flows to the Bieber. The river runs in narrow loops where beavers have worked in times gone by and at least left their name. Until the Spessartbogen crosses the Bieber on a meadow path, pauses on the viewing path on the Bieber slope and, after briefly touching Kassel, passes through the idyllic Kasselgrund, which penetrates the forest of the sandstone Spessart. It is a reconstruction of part of the Celtic ramparts on the Alteburg plateau that awakens new fantasies. The height of the Hubertusberg has barely been conquered before the forest is deserted. The spa town of Bad Orb can already be seen from the watchtower on the Molkenberg viewing promenade. Across meadows, past mighty hut trees and rich hedges, the path leads through the town gate into the picturesque half-timbered old town of the important Hessian spa town. Culinary specialties await the pleasure hiker. It's another one of those moments - exhausted, hungry but happy.

Stage 3

From Bad Orb to Mernes. The third stage of the Spessartbogen begins with a steep climb, but also a wonderful view over the old town of Bad Orb. Afterwards, you quickly return to the forest and walk along the edges of red sandstone cliffs, the former quarries of Bad Orb, which provide an insight into the geological history of the Spessart. The trail continues above the Haseltal valley until it descends to the Haselweiher pond. Here you are in one of the most beautiful Spessart valleys, following the course of the stream to the "Haselruhe" hunting lodge, which invites you to linger with its culinary specialties. Despite the popularity of the Hasel Valley, you are surrounded by the silence of the forest. Often all you can hear is the babbling of the stream and the chirping of the forest birds. Hikers will also find this idyllic setting further along the trail at the Sölchesweiher pond, which is surrounded by a mighty oak tree. The descent to Mernes finally leads into the Jossa valley, where a clear, natural river meanders through the landscape.

If you would like to extend the third stage a little, continue to Marjoß or even further via the feeder road to Jossa.

Length Bad Orb - Marjoß: 20.4 km / length Bad Orb - Jossa: 27.8 km

Stage 4

From Mernes to Schlüchtern. On the longest section of the Spessartbogen, hikers can expect a wonderful and constant change of landscape and nature impressions. From Mernes, you hike up to the Stacken, on whose high plateau the view extends not only over the sea of forests of the Spessart, but also beyond into the Rhön. The trail continues through one of the rare Spessart heath landscapes, which impresses with a sea of purple flowers during the heather blossom season. Views of the Jossa valley are a recurring feature, which also show how the beaver shapes the landscape. As a lumberjack, dam and castle builder, it is allowed to reshape its habitat here from the Jossa Valley, via Rohrbach Valley and the Ratzerod nature reserve. The forest opens up again and again along the way, revealing views of orchid-rich meadows. From the highest point of the hike, there is a short descent into the impressive Ahlersbacher forest gorge. From here, you hike up through the rocky forest and soon find yourself back on paths between flower-filled meadows and orchards. The descent to the Bergwinkel town of Schlüchtern is once again pure hiking pleasure. On arrival at the destination, the 1,000-year-old climatic health resort of Schlüchtern awaits the hiker. A visit to the Bergwinkel Museum with its original railroad world or the former Benedictine monastery is a wonderful way to end the day.