Hikes in Hammersbach

The path leads through a large forest area between Nidderau-Eichen and Limeshain. Here you can see many types of forest, natural forest, spruce plantations, light beech forests, storm damage, and mossy forests. Shortly before Rommelhausen, you reach the Limesweg, which runs straight through the forest.

The Upper German-Rhaetian Limes, which marked the border of the Roman Empire between the rivers Rhine and Danube over a length of 550 km.

From the spectacularly situated and imposing Ronneburg, we follow dirt roads and root-covered trails into the lovely Hammersbach Valley and on to the Grauer Stein. To wrap up the tour, the fortress beckons with a variety of activities.  You could hardly ask for a more beautiful starting point: The tour begins at Ronneburg 1, which towers high above the valley. This mighty fortress dates back to the time of the Staufer kings and emperors in the early 13th century. From the small parking lot near the paragliding area, slightly below the castle gate, we follow the yellow cross and the green St. Andrew’s cross onto a dirt road, from which the route veers right down into the valley after 100 m. There we pass the Ronneburger Hof 2—now home to a small theater and a gallery.Following the trail markers, we cross the main road, walk a few meters to the left, and then turn right into Altwiedermus. We immediately turn right onto Diebacher Straße and, a short while later, left onto Häuserwaldstraße, along which the hike leaves the village. Well-marked, our trail reaches the edge of the forest, where it now climbs steeply up the Florstädter Berg. After the short, steep ascent, the trail continues straight ahead on an easy path (yellow cross, green St. Andrew’s cross). At a large intersection, we leave the yellow cross behind and let the green markings guide us to the right. Note: Just 100 m further on, following these markers, the trail veers slightly to the left (not sharply left) onto a somewhat overgrown forest path. We soon reach the valley floor—the Hammersbach Valley—where we come across a small pond 3. A bench here invites us to take a break.200 m further on, the route reaches a paved farm road, keeps to the right here, and thus also leaves the green St. Andrew’s cross behind. Now the red-and-white markings of the Vulkansteig guide us. We soon find ourselves hiking through shady woods again and crossing a road. The frequent markings leave no doubt as to the path’s course. However, caution is advised after a steep right-handturn—here we turn onto a narrow, root-covered path. Soon the trail returns to a wider path, though you should keep an eye on the markings due to the many forks. A rugged, decidedly idyllic—though also quite overgrown—path leads us over the unassuming and densely forested summit of the Grauer Stein 4.Then the trail descends steeply into the valley to a large forest junction, which we reach after 300 m. Here we also leave the Vulkansteig behind, as the white ribbon now guides us sharply to the right. Following this marking, we reach a seating area 5 at the edge of the forest and soon enjoy the view of Ronneburg, visible from afar. The hike crosses the country road, reaches the Diebach thoroughfare (Herrnhaager Straße), and turns right here.After a short while, it turns onto Ronneburger Weg, which leads out of Diebach 6 (white ribbon). After passing the last houses, we keep to the right and enjoy the magnificent view of the castle ahead. Later, the route veers left toward the edge of the forest and eventually returns to Ronneburg 1. You can round off the tour with a visit to the impressive castle complex.

From the foot of Ronneburg, through meadows and forests in a curve to the castle.

Part of my long-distance hike to Italy

​Following the ancient Limes, we explore the wooded area around Buchkopf and Siebenküppel. Along the way, we pass a reconstructed watchtower and other defensive structures, as well as the mighty Drusus Oak.  Our hike turns uphill onto Waldstraße 1 right at the bus stop (Bonifatius Route, blue dot). At the point where Marienstraße joins from the left after 120 m, we turn right and hike along the outskirts of Rommelhausen. After another 300 m, we reach a clearly marked cross path, which the trail follows to the left. Now the green St. Andrew’s Cross guides us. To the left of the path, you’ll notice an earthen rampart (now lower) that marks the course of the Roman border fortification against the Germanic Chatti tribe, who once settled here. The ditch and rampart of this Upper German-Raetian Limes date back to the 2nd century.After just a few steps, we stand on the unassuming summit of the Buchkopf, marked by wooden steles and an information board. A small fort (Fort 2) once stood here, securing a passageway for the movement of people and goods. The tour continues straight ahead, following both the Limes and the green St. Andrew’s cross markers. Finally, we cross a road and immediately pass a well-executed reconstruction of the defensive structure. On the bike path, the route heads toward the “Drususeiche” and leads straight through the deciduous forest (green St. Andrew’s cross, Limes symbol).Soon (just a few meters from our path), you can explore a reconstructed watchtower 3—a lovely spot for a break. The 550-km-long Upper Germanic-Raetian Limes was once secured by more than 900 such towers.We now ignore all side paths, pass several lovingly crafted sculptures as well as a rest area 4, and finally reach the 400-year-old Drusus Oak 5, which was named after the Roman general Nero Claudius Drusus Germanicus. Just a few meters further onand just before the edge of the forest, the hike leaves the previous trail markers behind, is now guided by the red-and-white markings of the Vulkansteig, and turns right accordingly.At a T-intersection with a bike path after 700 m, the Vulkansteig symbol directs us to the left. A sparse forest now accompanies the hike to another bike path intersection at the edge of the forest. Here, the trail markers lead us right onto a concrete slab path. We now hike for about 1.5 km beneath the dense canopies of beech and oak trees. Then we reach (about 200 m before a road) a large intersection 6, where the Vulkansteig turns left. Note: Here, however, we turn right and follow the “Rommelhausen” bike path signs.After another 700 m, our hike reaches a clear fork in the trail, where we keep slightly to the right, following the bike path signs. Just under a kilometer later, we come to a prominent and signposted (!) T-intersection on the bike path and follow the sign to the left. The route eventually rejoins the well-marked Limes Hiking Trail at Rest Stop 4, keeps to the left on this trail, and passes Watchtower 3 before crossing the street to reach Starting Point 1 of the tour.

Nidder - Evangelische Kirche - Waldfriedhof - Römischer Limes - Kleinkastell "Auf dem Buchkopf" - Drususeiche - Marköbel - Jüdischer Friedhof - Neuberg - Neuer Friedhof - Langendiebach - Alter Friedhof - Erlenpark - Limespark - Rückingen - Kinzig - Wasserburg Rückingen - Heimatmuseum - Alter Jüdischer Friedhof - Römisches Kastell / Bad - Bulau - Erlensee bei Erlensee - Naturpark Hessischer Spessart - Kinzigaue - Forstamtssiedlung - Rote Lache von Wolfgang - Kleinkastell Neuwirtshaus - Schifflache bei Großauheim - Klosterkirche - St. Laurentius - porta decumana - Südwestturm des Römerkastells

Limes en 30 étapes Staden - Erlensee

34 km Strecke für den Distanzritt "Ronneburg Distanz 2021"/ Runde rot.

Übernachtung in Bruchköbel, sonst weitgehend am Limes entlang nach Norden