Magical Spessart

Explore the Rauberland and Spessart Natural Park

The hiking region surrounding Spessart National Park beckons its visitors with an unparalleled variety of hiking trails, unmatched anywhere in Germany. Along shaded paths, you'll traverse nearly untouched landscapes, with the dense forest canopy overhead serenaded by the gentle melodies of countless birds and the hushed rustling of dried leaves beneath your hiking shoes. Peaceful Franconian-style villages dot the route, their rustic half-timbered houses warmly welcoming you with regional delicacies and inviting you to linger.

As you journey through the so-called "Räuberland" or "land of bandits," you'll be guided by the calls of woodpeckers, ultimately arriving in the picturesque town of Aschaffenburg. Here, a wealth of exquisite gardens, ancient castles, and historic monasteries awaits, providing the perfect conclusion to your enchanting hiking holiday.

Spessart remains a hidden gem for hikers, offering unspoiled nature, tranquillity, top-notch hiking trails, as well as castles, the Main River, hearty culinary delights, and charming small towns. It's an insider's paradise waiting to be discovered.

Details about the walking holiday from Gemunden to Aschaffenburg

The three-river town of Gemünden, the Snow White town of Lohr and Aschaffenburg with its wonderful old town and many sights - the first destinations on the tour are all gems of Franconian history and culture. Follow in the footsteps of the Echter family in Mespelbrunn. On day 6 of the tour, you dive into Räuberland.

The Main valley, the forest, the lush green meadows and the wide fields make for a unique experience of nature, here you will find true tranquillity. The last hiking stage takes you first to the Geißhöhe, which is around 520 metres high. The last kilometres of the tour finally lead to Henneburg Castle, one of the largest castle ruins in Bavaria.

The highlights of the Spessart walking tour:

  • Spessart Nature Park: Hiking in the low mountain range is a real pleasure! This is not least due to the award-winning hiking trails, which on the one hand have been beautifully laid out.

  • Castles and parks: Both Johannisburg Castle and Mespelbrunn, as well as all the other magnificent buildings on the tour, are worth a visit.

  • Franconian hospitality: Franconia not only has world-famous vineyards but also one of the highest brewery densities in the world!

  • Medieval monasteries: You will never go long on this tour without seeing the view of a historic wall that is an imposing reminder of the past.

  • Pristine hiking trails: The Spessart is one of those areas where nature still seems to be in harmony with itself.

Worth knowing about the hiking tour in the Spessart

This walking tour suits all kinds of hiking enthusiasts. As a low mountain range, it never gets steep in the Spessart, the mountains are rarely higher than 600 metres. The route takes you to enchanting small towns and magical natural backdrops.

Route summary

Throughout you walk on well-maintained hiking paths, forest trails and in parts also on forest roads. The route leads gently along the hills of the Spessart, for walking times of up to 5.5 hours a good basic fitness level is sufficient. Longer tours can comfortably be shortened by public transport.

This tour has been graded as Medium. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Medium
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 106 km
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Itinerary

Along the narrow alleyways of the city of three rivers Gemünden, you ascend to the range of hills of the Franconian Ledge. From the Schönrain castle ruin you enjoy a fantastic view of the deep-blue river Main down below in the valley. Through dense forests and extensive fields you proceed to the Mariabuchen monastery before a splendid path through the middle of the nature reserve at Mount Romberg leads you into the pretty little town of Lohr. Follow the tracks of Snow White through the chic historic centre.

ca. 5 hours
21 km
550 m
550 m

From the spa resort Heigenbrücken you climb high up during the ascent to the first Spessart-summit, the Pollasch. Grandiose panoramic views into the Laufach-valley and varied themed paths accompany you featuring great views whilst descending into the valley, listen to the quiet dabble of the stream and the rustling of the beech forests en route to your hut for a break. Through blooming apple orchards you reach Waldaschaff, a little hamlet located amidst the Spessart-forests and hills.

ca. 4 hours
15 km
450 m
450 m

Today you explore the marvellous parks of Aschaffenburg. The stunning hiking path starts at the pheasantry and gently winds over countless little hills through picturesque wooded areas to the idyllic Schmerlenbach monastery, which invites you to a good rest enjoying regional delicacies. Back in Aschaffenburg, there is plenty of time left in order to discover the lovely historic centre, Johannisburg palace and the idyllic Main-river terraces in peace and quiet.

ca. 5 hours
18 km
450 m
400 m

The ‚Hochspessart‘ awaits: along the Franconian Marienweg-path, you ascend to the Posthalterkreuz-cross, past sandstone walls to the rural chapel Herrenbild. Dense forest surrounds you like a green cloak, and little monuments and wayside crosses greet you en route. You proceed via a spectacular high-altitude path always along the hilltops, far below in the valley you can already make out the beautiful hamlet Mespelbrunn, your Day Finish situated in the heart of the Spessart-forest.

ca. 4,5 hours
15 km
500 m
450 m

In the so-called ‚Räuberland‘ (land of bandits) you have endless opportunities to embark on short or extensive hiking tours in the surroundings. However, do not be afraid, you will only encounter bandits on the colourful waymarking. Visit the legendary hut on top of the ‚Hohe Wart‘, inclusive beer garden and fresh Spessart-beer, located amidst the forest. Also visit the Mespelbrunn water castle, known through the German movie classic ‚Das Wirtshaus im Spessart‘ (the Inn in the Spessart). The quality of the hiking paths makes every hiker’s heart leap for joy.

ca. 4 hours
12 km
300 m
300 m

The finale of your hiking week is characterised once again by the forests of the Spessart: Via the ‚Old School Route‘, a historic connecting trail, you walk through a convoluted rock labyrinth until you reach the highest point of your hiking holiday at the Geißhöhe-peak. Unspoilt trails finally lead you on gently undulating terrain below the leaf canopy all the way to Henneburg castle, towering high above the glistening river Main, the crowning glory of the end of your hiking adventure in the Spessart.

ca. 5,5 hours
25 km
700 m
800 m

Route information

Throughout you walk on well-maintained hiking paths, forest trails and in parts also on forest roads. The route leads gently along the hills of the Spessart, for walking times of up to 5.5 hours a good basic fitness level is sufficient. Longer tours can comfortably be shortened by public transport.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights

Price calculation and check availability: Magical Spessart

Place of arrival: Gemünden
  Season 1
04.05.2024 - 26.05.2024
16.09.2024 - 06.10.2024

Daily
Season 2
27.05.2024 - 16.06.2024
26.08.2024 - 15.09.2024

Daily
Season 3
17.06.2024 - 25.08.2024

Daily
Magical Spessart, DE-SPWGA-08X
Base price
789.00
849.00
899.00
Single room surcharge 249.00 249.00 249.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3*** hotels and inns.

Season 1
May 4, 2024 - May 26, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024
Daily
Season 2
May 27, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Daily
Season 3
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024
Daily
Magical Spessart, DE-SPWGA-08X
Base price
Single room surcharge
789.00
249.00
849.00
249.00
899.00
249.00

Hotel information: You will stay in 3*** hotels and inns.

Season 1
May 4, 2024 - May 26, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024
Season 2
May 27, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024
Season 3
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024
Gemünden
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
Aschaffenburg
Double room p.p
Single room surcharge
79.00
39.00
79.00
39.00
79.00
39.00
79.00
39.00
79.00
39.00
79.00
39.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Gemünden
  Season 1
May 4, 2024 - May 26, 2024
Sep 16, 2024 - Oct 6, 2024

Daily
Season 2
May 27, 2024 - Jun 16, 2024
Aug 26, 2024 - Sep 15, 2024

Daily
Season 3
Jun 17, 2024 - Aug 25, 2024

Daily
Gemünden
Double room p.p 79.00 79.00 79.00
Single room surcharge 39.00 39.00 39.00
Aschaffenburg
Double room p.p 79.00 79.00 79.00
Single room surcharge 39.00 39.00 39.00
Prices per person in GBP

Included services and travel information

Services

Included:

  • Accomodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • 1 ‚Räuberland‘ herb-flavouverd liqueur

 

  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • App for Navigation and GPS-data available
  • Service-Hotline
Infos

Arrival / Parking / Departure:

  • Arrival by train in Gemünden and only a short walk to the hotel.
  • Frankfurt airport.
  • Parking: hotel parking spaces free of charge, no reservation possible.
  • Return journey from Aschaffenburg to Gemünden by train in approx. 45 minutes.

Important information:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Fares for public transport:
    Lohr – Heigenbrücken, Waldaschaff – Aschaffenburg, Unterbessenbach – Aschaffenburg, Aschaffenburg – Straßbessenbach, Stadtprozelten – Aschaffenburg, approx. EUR 15 per person
Sample hotel list

This is a sample hotel list. Hotels will be booked depending on availability.

Gemünden

Hotel zum Koppen

www.hotel-koppen.de

Aschaffenburg

Hotel Wilder Mann ****

www.hotel-wilder-mann.de

Lohr

Boutique Hotel Bundschuh ***S

www.hotelbundschuh.de

Mespelbrunn

Hotel Christel 3***

www.hotel-christel.de

 

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