THE ODEN FOREST

The Odenwald is a low mountain range at 626.8 m. Height in southern Hesse, Lower Franconia (Bavaria) and northern Baden (Baden-Württemberg).

The Odenwald borders in the west on approx. 65km. between Darmstadt and Wiesloch. This is where the steep mountain sides are located, several hundred meters high. The northern border of the Odenwald has a landscape that is less straight and is close to the B26 and the Darmstadt Institute of Botany and Zoology. On the other hand, to the east is the Main Valley with a length of 33km. Ultimately, the southeastern border line connects here, all the way to Hardheim. The southern border of the Odenwald is not on this line. In the south of the Neckar there is also the small Odenwald, which we can follow from Mosbach to Wiesloch. As a natural space on the southern border there are two nature parks; the Bergstrasse-Odenwald and the Neckartal-Odenwald.

The Odenwald is subdivided by valley landscapes that belong to the Weschnitz and Gersprenz valleys. The mountains are separated from the Neckar and the Main as a main watershed.

The Odenwald is divided into three federal states. The northern and western parts are in the south of the state of Hesse, a small part in the northeastern area belongs to Bavarian Lower Franconia and the southern part extends into Baden. That's why the Odenwald has three different names, which are based on the federal states. It is called the Franconian Odenwald, the Hessian Odenwald and the Baden Odenwald.

Hiking in the Odenwald

The beautiful and magnificent forest from the low mountain ranges offers a great mix of landscape, culture and history. A hiking network of approx.6000km. is available free of charge to all hiking fans. This huge hiking network is located between the Main, the Tauber, the Rhine and the Kreichgau and offers you a special variety of hiking route options. There are more than 50 main hiking trails, very beautiful quality hiking trails and other long-distance hiking trails in the Odenwald, which border each other in western, eastern, southern and northern directions. You will have unforgettable experiences, especially on the four certified quality hiking trails in Wanderbare Deutschland. These are particularly recommended for day tours because they require professional management as a hiker.

The 10 best hiking routes in the Odenwald:

1-    Am Lindenfels (The Adventure Route)

In the center of the town we walk up towards the castle. The mountain ruins, which have been uninhabited since the Thirty Years' War, offer the first beautiful views. When we leave the castle, we go to Schlierbach, towards the valley. We're going here approx.800m. the Schlierbach to Winkel.

After we have reached the exit from Winkel, we turn right and past the edge of the forest. The magnificent view over Schlierbach can be enjoyed from the Sauwaad car park. Now we cross the B47, walk past the granite quarry and through the forest along the stone grinding factory. The tables inform us about the geological nature trail and the history of the Odenwald.

We follow the path above Litzelröder to the Bismarckwarte. This observation tower was built in 1907 and offers a wonderful view of the Weschnitztal. The Ludwigshöhe rewards us with a view over approx.1000m. Here you can take a look at the castle ruins and the medieval town center of Lindenfels.

Now we come to the last part of our path, which leads us through a forest. Here you get unique rock formations from which we get a valuable impression. A short time later we arrive back at our starting point in Lindenfels.

2-    In the Margaritenschlucht

The Margartenschlucht is located between Neckargerach and Reichenbuch. It has a very wild, romantic atmosphere and floral peculiarities. Because of these characteristics, it was designated a nature reserve in 1940.

For now the path goes through forests above the Neckar. Every now and then you have very nice views of the Neckar. Then we reach the lower edge of the Margaretenschlucht. There should be a way up there. We assume that you won't find this path, so let's go along the upper edge of the Neckar with great views of the Minneburg. We continue to follow this path until just before Neckargerach, until we reach a steep climb. Here we have to take the steep path in the direction of Reichenbuch.

Before we arrive at Eisenbusch, we see a signpost on the right that leads us down to Margaretenschlucht. On the left at the Green Hut we come to Vogelherdweg, cross it to get to Reichenbucher Straße. A dirt path parallel to the street leads us back to the parking lot.

3-    The round over Rodenstein Castle

With the beautiful views from Dornberg, from the Schreckkopf and from the 12 Apostles, we experience exciting moments. It will also be at the approx. 800 year old Rodenstein castle ruins are exciting. The Rodenstein knight and the wild army are said to have once waged a war here with loud noise. The borders of the Rodensteiner Mark and the Erbachisches Amt of Reichenberg were mentioned for the first time in 1456.

Very impressive natural monuments such as the Wildweibchenstein and the Falling Bach can be discovered on this route.

In Fränkisch Crumbach, we start the tour at the Protestant church. We follow the S2 marker to the Catholic church. Now we reach open landscapes from which we hike up to Dornberg. We continue briefly along the edge of the forest and hike westwards to Heilsruhe. Here we enjoy the wonderful distant views and continue uphill to the “Twelve Apostles” viewpoint. Approx. 500m. we walk in the forest again and approx. After 2.4 km on the same path you arrive at Rimdidim, which is 498m high. has

When we arrive at “freedom,” we go 180 degrees. We then walk along the “Falling Bach” and then reach the Rodenstein castle ruins. We go back to our starting point via the Weilerts and over the Galgenberg.

4-    The Bonsweiher hiking route

The “Frauenhecke” nature park car park is the starting point of our route. Then we walk east on the street “Auf der Juhöhe”. We continue to walk past the edge of the forest for a short while until the path at the Zigeunerkopf leads us into the forest. The forest opens 400m. in front of us and we enjoy the beautiful view. 1km. Long hike along the forest path to the “Waldsee” nature park car park.

Shortly afterwards there is a curve to the right in front of us and leads us from Bonsweiher into the open landscape. Here we hike down into the village and continue on Rimbacherstrasse, Edertalstrasse and Blumenstrasse. The route continues along a narrow strip of forest to the Ebertsklingen nature car park. Now cross Ober-Liebersbacher Straße and after approx. 380m. we turn right. First we walk between Wetz-Berg and Höhefeld and then through Ober-Liebersbach. Approx. 1km. Further behind the Dornwiese fire pond we reach our path, which is actually our main hiking trail in a northerly direction. After a short while uphill, through a forest, we hike along the “Großer Köpfchen” on the left side and come to country road 3120 on the Juhöhe. After we turn right here, we arrive at the starting point shortly afterwards.

5-    The Miltenberg Roman Trail

The route starts at the market square, on the Römer-Weg. We go to St. Jakobus Church past the Main and down the promenade in a westerly direction. We cross Mainstrasse at the Schwertfegertor parking lot and walk up the stairs on Bismarckweg. When we reach the top, we hike to the right and in a wide arc, with beautiful views over the Miltenberg, over the Main and Mud valleys to the Ringwall. Experts estimate the age of the ring wall to be 3,000 years old. It has an area of ​​600 x 400m.

On the M1 path we walk above the ring wall and then walk on a path in the direction of Haags Lookout. There you can enjoy a magnificent view of the Main valley. Now we go on the path to the stone cross and walk downhill along the Limes hiking trail. The foundation walls of the Roman watchtowers and a few display boards from Rome and Germania greet us here. At the Schützenhaus we leave the M1 and turn left onto the Limes hiking trail. Above Miltenberg we hike on a curve through a forest to Ottostein and reach the market square via the sea of ​​rocks.

6-    Felsenmeer circular route

90% of the hiking route runs through quiet mixed forests and is always close to the Felsenmeer. Huge, oversized pebbles of quartz diorite lie on the southeastern side of the rock mountain. Every now and then we stop by Roman workpieces.

A short but steep climb leaves us panting a little. We then arrive at the Borstein natural monument. This mineralogical-geological rarity is also protected.

From the parking lot at Kuralpe we head east. We now walk on this path for approx.1.5km. over meadows and pastures to Beedenkirchen. As soon as we have seen the first houses, we keep to the right and go into the forest towards the “Römersteine” hiking car park.

On approx. 300m. We hike along the “Hohen Stein” and arrive at the Felsenmeer. In the next paths you can occasionally see views of the Lautertal. Now we move on from the water container approx. 500m. up the hill. After we arrive at Borstein, we can treat ourselves to a break.

On the way we come to a 180 degree bend and head north. After we approx.3km. After hiking through the forest, we arrive back at the Felsenmeer. After taking a look at the Roman monuments “Giant Column” and “Altar Stone” we arrive back at the Kuralpe through the forest at the Felsberg car park.

7-    The mill path in the Erfatal

The hiking trail goes along the Erfa past three mills to Bretzingen. Here we cross the Erfa and pass the “Wacholderheiden um Hardheim” nature reserve at the exit of the town. You also have an alternative in front of you and can walk past the blue marked stones.

First in Hardheim you walk past the “double mill” Gärtnersund Volksmühle and the “Stone Tower”. We then cross the historic Schlossplatz. After the intersection at Wertheimer Straße, we go down to the Erfa to the Mittel- and Steinemühle. The path then continues past the Bücholdswiesensee (Bieberrevier) over the bridge to the Wohlfahrtsmühle.

At the Wohlfahrtsmühle you can take an alternative route via the ruins of the hermitage and the Schächerstein. To join the end of the route at the Lindenmühle, follow marker 4.

8-    The Alemannenweg

The route starts at Erbach Castle, which leads us to Bergstrasse and ends at the Einhard Basilica in Michelstadt. The two cities are a very short distance from each other, so you can start the Alemannenweg as a large circular route. There are seven stages on the Alemannenweg. It has been recognized by the German Hiking Association as a QUALITY PATH FOR HIKING GERMANY. Very scenic sights are located in the middle of a beautiful landscape. They transform the Alemannenweg into a special feature where you can find out about both natural areas, the Odenwald and the Bergstrasse.

The Alemanni once marched through the Odenwald against the Romans and left almost no trace behind. If you are on the 144km. If you take a long, quality hiking trail through the Odenwald, you will have a lot to say about castles, castle ruins, gardens and flowering parks.

9-    On the Hubenweg

We hike from the “Adlerschlag” hiking car park, first past the edge of the forest and down into the hamlet. Shortly before we dive into the forest, there is a right turn and goes past the Lochbrunnen. After approx.1km. Hike, there is another right turn and we arrive at the old “Mainweg”. Then we walk a little bit downhill.

After we approx.800m. After hiking through the forest, there is a turn to the right. Here we go for approx. 1200m. and further to the southern part of the Würzberg. Before reaching the road “Zur Heinstermühle” we turn sharply to the left and walk deep into the forest again. The path turns almost 180 degrees at the Hesse-Bavarian border. It then goes on after approx.800m. again in an easterly direction. After 1km. We reach the Bavarian border and walk along this path for about 1.5km. in the southwest direction.

We hike out of the forest on the Mühlweg, turn left onto Kreisstraße 45 and walk to the parking lot. After leaving the road again and walking through the forest to the Limesweg, we stay to the right so that we don't miss the Roman baths.

The route takes us to the cemetery along the old Roman “Hohe Straße”. After we are at the back of the cemetery, we turn left and leave the Limes hiking trail. The path bends after 150m.After we dive into the forest, turn right. We still have 1.5km back to our starting point. Hiking trail in front of us.

10- In the Seebachtal - Neckargerach

In Neckargerach, from the train station, we walk along the Katzensteig along Reichenbucher Straße. On the new school road you go up to the idyllic forest lake and on to Laufentsmühle. The path then takes us further up the valley to the “Drei Dolen”, which connects to the mouth at a historic stream crossing.

Now we leave the Katzensteig behind us and walk along the NG 3 circular path along the forest path up to Fleischberg. Through the Hermannsklinge and the “Kalte Klinge” we continue to the “Entensee” hiking car park. We turn to the right and go downhill on the forest path. The NG 3 circular path turns right shortly behind the refuge and we hike on the NG 4 circular path to the Minneburg view.

We stick to the road on the left side and walk along the asphalt path along the edge of the forest to Margaretenschlucht. Climbing skills, sure-footedness and sturdy shoes are required here. If we are successful in climbing through the gorge, we walk along the Neckarsteig towards Neckargerach.

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