© 2025Inspiration: The Spessart
The forest, the castles and the legends
The Spessart is a low mountain range and forest area that extends over parts of Lower Franconia and across the state border into Hesse. It is one of the largest contiguous forest areas in Germany, known for its dense forests, rolling hills and tranquil environment. The Spessart is dotted with charming villages, medieval castles and historic sites, such as Mespelbrunn Castle, a well-preserved moated castle. The region has a rich folk tradition, often associated with the stories of the “Spessart robbers”, romanticized in German literature and film. In the Spessart, you will find many small villages next to the forest where you would think that the fox and the rabbit say “good night” to each other. Depending on your personal taste, you can find one or the other spot that you will remember fondly for a long time.
The region was historically a border region between various principalities and bishoprics, which had a lasting impact on its development and cultural heritage. The forests of the Spessart were crucial for timber production, which was an important economic sector. The high-quality wood from the Spessart was used in construction and shipbuilding. Charcoal burning was another important economic sector and essential for iron smelting.
Our round trip, which will take us a whole year to complete, begins in Schlüchtern in the far north. The town is located at the intersection of the Rhön, Vogelsberg and Spessart. And our rolling bedroom is parked in the Hutten district, in the middle of nature. From here, you can easily go hiking, cycling or take a trip by car to explore the area... or fill up the fridge.
The Sinn is the largest tributary of the Fränkische Saale in Bavaria and Hesse. Its source is in the Rhön and it flows mainly south and joins the Fränkische Saale shortly before it reaches the Main. These two rivers and the Kinzig, which flows in the north of the region and also reaches the Main near Hanau, are, roughly speaking, the border of the Spessart.
Our Spessart - Route
Arrival
Our round trip, which will take us a whole year to complete, begins in Schlüchtern in the far north of the state. The town is located at the intersection of the Rhön, Vogelsberg and Spessart. And we set up our rolling bedroom in the Hutten district on the campsite, in the middle of nature.
Schlüchtern
In rund einer viertel Stunde erreichen wir Schlüchtern's town center, where we are greeted by a friendly, small town that has everything we need to stock our fridge. But this is also the starting point of the hiking trail into the Spessart and to many other destinations that can be easily reached on foot or by bike.
Burg Brandenstein
Brandenstein Castle is a must-see attraction. It is a nearly 750-year-old residential, economic and defensive structure that is still inhabited and managed. In addition to entertaining events such as (self-)forging, brewing beer or distilling schnapps, a wooden tool museum and the Siebold museum await us.
Steinau an der Strasse: half-timbered houses and the Brothers Grimm
The 600-kilometre-long Fairy Tale Route begins at the birthplace of the Brothers Grimm, in Hanau, and passes through Steinau, the place of their childhood, which they regarded as their home, and continues to Bremen. And Steinau is also on the German Half-Timbered House Route, which runs from the Weserbergland region through northern Hesse to the Vogelsberg and Spessart.
Bad Orb
The place called “Bad” Orb since 1910 is located in the Hessian Spessart. It is a spa resort that is also a nice destination for excursions, even if you are not there to take the waters. The old trade route known as the Eselsweg (donkey trail) runs from Schlüchtern through the Spessart to Grossheubach near Miltenberg and passes through here. In the past, Orber salt was transported along this route to be shipped via the Main.
Gelnhausen
We will reach Gelnhausen in just under half an hour. The old town is clearly laid out. The winding, historic old town, with its romantic squares and magnificent buildings, has a lot more to offer than many larger towns.
Aschaffenburg
We have arrived in Aschaffenburg. We stroll through the city, discover its people, who are as diverse as we have only experienced in big cities before, and find a lot of sights that tell their stories. Museums, the castle and other attractions captivate us. Resistance is pointless.
Obernburg
Choose a small town where even the main street exudes a cozy atmosphere.
Miltenberg
Choose a Bavarian place of enjoyment, where living history and the present mix.
Wertheim
Choose a medieval royal seat and romantic character.
Lohr am Main
Choose a castle, a small town with a story to tell and a colorful past
Rieneck
Choose a small village with a large castle as your starting point and destination for excursions in the Spessart
Burgsinn
Choose a break in the shady park... and a moated castle
Spessart - Highlights
Schwarzenfels Castle
Choose the region's knight's castle, which stands on the black basalt of the Hopfenberg.
Ramholz Castle
Choose a truly magical place
Hasloch hammer mill
Choose to take a trip back in time to an age when even heavy industry was still done by hand.
Mespelbrunn moated castle
Choose a charming little castle in the midst of the rugged beauty of the forest
Homburg paper mill
Choose a place where paper has been hand-made for 200 years.
