Hikes in Mainaschaff

A short hike on wide gravel paths in a popular forest area near Mainaschaff without significant inclines but with highway noise on the last third of the route.

The final stage of the HW6 of the Odenwaldklub leads again for large parts over endless forest tracks and crosses the Main at Stockstadt. No climbs, few highlights but at least enough resting opportunities this time. Overall, the route should be seen more as a sporting challenge rather than a visual or cultural treat.

Wide, relaxing paths gave the route its character. After the Rückersbacher Gorge with its forest, creek, and partly rocky path edges, there were villages with plenty of panorama, blooming meadows, and fruit trees. Finally, the path led back into the forest - into the idyllic, quiet Steinbachtal valley, which slopes downward in this direction. Throughout the route, I was accompanied by the chirping of birds or the calls of young animals on the farms and pastures.

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.

A hiking tour through the Striedwald lasting 2 hours, with the possibility of stopping at the Schluchthof inn.

•Johannesberg Church is the starting point of our tour. Via Sternberg, Rückersbach to Schluchthof. A stop here is planned. Continue on the bike path to Kleinostheim station. From here, take the train back to the starting point.

The hike leads steadily uphill along the route to Sternberg, continuing to the entrance of Rückersbach. Here, Dora and Hans Bieber offer refreshments to warm up. Then it goes slightly downhill to the Reichenbach hiking lodge.

The Strietwald forest north of Aschaffenburg is steeped in cultural history: In addition to exotic tree species, you’ll find the Jahnfelsen, a mysterious mill, the only known volcano in the Spessart, and much more.▶ At Parking Lot 01 by the cemetery, we find a hiking map that provides information about the Archaeological Culture Trail. We head straight into the forest. Another information sign highlights the sights we can admire along the way. A gravel path leads us through tall deciduous forest, past a small pond. At the “Hohe Linie” signpost, we continue straight ahead. Then the signs direct us to the right, down the slope. The path winds beautifully through the Steinbach Valley, past a bench and over a small bridge. We come to a forest road, which we follow to the right. After a short distance, we reach the Jahnfelsen. A commemorative plaque honoring “Father of German Gymnastics” Jahn has been installed there. A rest area invites us to linger. We continue along the “Steinbachtal” tree trail. Several information signs provide details about native trees and shrubs. At a bridge, we do not cross to the other side of the stream; instead, we turn onto a narrow path running alongside the stream. At the “Menzenmühle” 02 signpost, we turn left onto a root-strewn path. A very beautiful section of the trail follows. The trail winds its way through tall forest for quite a while until we turn left at the “Wolfskaute” signpost. The trail climbs gently until we’re walking along the edge of the forest. After just a short distance, we turn left again and re-enter the forest. A small forest path leads us to a gravel path, which we follow under oak and beech trees to a wide forest road. We keep going straight ahead, guided by the trail markers, past the Pfaffenwaldhäuschen 03. At a fork, we take the right path and walk straight ahead, on a slight downhill slope, through the tall deciduous forest. The gravel path turns into a small paved road, which we leave after a short distance—at a sign warning of wildlife excavations—to take a forest trail. The path, which slopes slightly downward, leads us to the edge of the forest, where we turn left. A paved path takes us back into the Steinbach valley. Several information signs explain the region’s flora and fauna. The path winds through the forest, and we cross a bridge. The signs guide us onto a trail near the edge of the forest, first running parallel to the small road, then turning left into the woods. We take a short detour and descend a flight of stairs into the Teschenhöhle 04 cave. Afterward, the trail takes us to a gravel path, which we follow to the right. A large tulip tree from America adorns the side of the path. We cross a forest path and walk along a fenced-in area. Passing a small hut, we approach the highway. We walk a short distance between the busy highway and the historic shooting range 05 before re-entering the forest. We pass a cross and, after a short distance, reach our starting point 01.

Sportwanderung von Seligenstadt nach Laufach anlässlich des Spessartbundesfest 2011

Start am Gasthaus Schluchthof. Durch die romantische Schlucht mit den imposanten Felsformationen geht es mit stetiger Steigung hoch bis nach Sternberg. An der Panoramaplatte begeistert der Blick über das Rhein-Main-Gebiet. Anschließend führt der Weg leicht abwärts zum Dreimärker und dem höchsten Punkt Kleinostheims (330 m ü. NN). Rastmöglichkeit ist dann an der Kleinostheimer Hütte, wo Jeder sein Vesper und die mitgebrachten Getränke genießen kann. Danach verläuft der Weg bergab vorbei an den idyllischen Waldseen zurück zum Ausgangspunkt.