Spessartbogen Etappe 2: Freigericht - Bad Orb

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.

Tips and further information

Rest stops: Freigericht-Horbach(Gasthaus Schaffrath, Hotel zur Linde, Hotel Vorspessart), Linsengericht-Geislitz(Zum weißen Roß, youth hostel), Biebergemünd-Kassel (Neue Bürgerstube, Beim Bones, Goldenes Faß), Bad Orb(large selection)