Hikes in Geiselbach

Varied hike through forest and fields near Freigericht-Horbach with Mariengrotte and beautiful views.

We hike through forests and over vineyards through the Spessart.

magnificent landscape views, exciting discoveries, unforgettable moments The premium hiking route Spessartbogen meets all the demands of the leisure hiker for carefree walking, leading over eventful, well-marked natural paths and trails. In an entertaining way, it forms an approximately 90-kilometer arc to the Kinzigtal through the unique forest landscape of the Hessian Spessart.

It is inconspicuous, but despite its moderate height it aims to make a big impression: the mountain ridge stretching east of the recreational area Freigericht - Horbach, around which the extra route of the Spessartbogen winds over 9.9 km. With its unforested slopes and peaks, the near-natural idyll, and one of the most extensive views of the western Spessart over Frei- and Linsengericht as well as across the Kinzig valley, out to the Wetterau and Vogelsberg. The Spessartfährte offers a varied program to get to know the Spessartbogen. Even inexperienced hikers can master this Spessartfährte – the route length and ascents are manageable.

2-day route through Spessart and Kahlgrund

From Geiselbach to Vormwald

Horbach is a district of the municipality of Freigericht. According to legend, the farmers from the area between the Main and Kinzig rivers once came to the aid of Emperor Barbarossa during a raid and were granted “free jurisdiction” in return.▶ Just outside Horbach at the Gondelteich 01, our hike begins at the hiking parking lot on the L 3269, following a marked Spessart trail. We cross the road and follow the trail markers along a forest path to the right, past the Mariengrotte 02, into the beautiful Näßlichbach Valley 03. After a short stretch, we reach a rest area on the bank of the stream. Now we head deeper into the forest, uphill along a winding forest path, until we emerge into an open field. At the highest point, along an avenue of birch trees, a fantastic view stretching all the way to the Taunus awaits us. This area is quite unfairly called “Häßlich” 04. Our trail now runs parallel to the Spessart Arc for a while, first across open fields and meadows, gently downhill toward the Krötenweiher 05, then back into the forest.After a short climb, we reach a peaceful plateau 06 with an impressive view into the distance. We re-enter the forest and, via a narrow path, reach the outskirts of Horbach. At the Mühlbach, we take the path to the left and follow it back to the starting point of our loop trail. At the end of our hike, the Horbach Kneipp facility invites us to cool our tired feet.

This is a variant of the Spessartbogen Section 2. Text in the description of the actual tour.

Variant of the new premium hiking trail "Spessartbogen." http://www.spessartbogen.de/de/startseite/

We hike amid magnificent views of the Kinzig Valley, past an idyllic forest lake, and finally through the rolling hills of the Vorspessart with beautiful vistas of the Kahlgrund. Along the way, the countries of the European Union are introduced in the order of their accession, with a focus on hiking. Special attention is given to the European long-distance hiking trails.▶ Start at Gelnhausen/Meerholz 01. The former starting point is not directly accessible by car. It is recommended to park at Meerholz and walk there via the archaeological trail.We first walk along the red X toward a forest and then, at a signpost, turn left toward Krötenteich. On a gravel path, we continue straight ahead, passing a memorial forest, exit the forest, and walk alongside oak trees, then turn right and continue straight ahead between fields. At a gas pipeline, we keep to the left, come to a country road, and walk about 200 m on the opposite side to a spruce hedge; then we turn right and walk straight uphill between a meadow and a field. After the sign for Luxembourg, there is a ground marking on the road; we follow it to the right through a dip. The trail runs for a good stretch along the ridge with a sweeping view of the Kinzig Valley. We cross a road and walk downhill on a bike path to Krötenteich 02. We continue to the right uphill through a very beautiful forest. Opposite a small, somewhat hidden forest cabin, we turn right onto a path that leads us down along a stream ravine into the beautiful Näßlichbach Valley 03.At the bottom, we cross a forest road and then a bridge, keeping to the edge of the forest. At a signpost, we turn right; the trail winds uphill for quite a while through a beautiful valley. At another information sign, we leave the forest and approach Geiselbach. At the edge of town, we turn left onto Birkenhainer Straße. From there, we follow the markings for the Marienweg. Behind the sports field, the trail turns right. The trail, with its frequent changes in direction, leads us along side streets and pedestrian paths through the town, past a fountain, beautiful half-timbered houses, and the old cemetery wall next to the church 04. We leave the town past some community gardens, and head uphill straight ahead between orchard meadows and pastures. At the top of the hill, we have a sweeping view. We walk straight across a road, reach a signpost, and from there follow the W1 trail marker to the left. A meadow path winds in a wide curve through a hollow, then along boundary stones up to the hilltop, and finally downhill to Oberwestern 05. We pass a crucifix beneath a chestnut tree and reach the village, walk past City Hall, along the stream, cross the main street, and then climb steeply uphill to the left. At the edge of the forest, we reach our destination, the new EU center 06.