Discover the Rohrbrunner Forest

Ancient forests and special habitats

The Eichhall Nature Reserve lies in the Heisterblock within the unincorporated area of Rohrbrunner Forest. It is home to oak trees that are around 400 years old. The Eichhall woodland has not been managed for forestry since 2002; the focus is on preserving and studying near-natural old-growth forests. This combination of a protected area and ancient trees gives the landscape a distinctive character, without requiring a large number of different destinations to explore.

The Rohrberg Nature Reserve is also nearby. It is a mature oak wood pasture containing remnants of oaks more than 500 years old, and is located between Geiersberg and Rohrbrunn. The two woodland areas have different points of interest: Eichhall is defined by its approximately 400-year-old oaks and its conservation and research purpose, while Rohrberg is notable for its remnants of oaks more than 500 years old and its wood-pasture landscape.

Hiking trails with nature facts along the way

The Faun Journey starts at the hiking car park and follows a small dirt path through varied woodland and alongside the Rohrberg Natural Forest Reserve. Its stations provide information about stag beetles, bats, woodpeckers and other important species. Bat boxes and woodpecker cavities are also features along the trail; the hike crosses the highest mountain in the Spessart. The ascent is considered not difficult. Along the way, visitors can focus on both the woodland landscape and the habitats of forest-dwelling animals.

Another section of the Faun Journey leads from below the car park in the direction of the Rohrberg Natural Forest Reserve. Passing old oaks, larches and other tree species, you reach a first station about deadwood. If you’re interested in forests as habitats, you can also consider how tree species and deadwood come together to shape the experience of nature along this route.

Another hiking option is the Eichblatt Steinthor Rohrbrunn Nature Park Trail, a five-kilometre circular route starting at the Steinthor hiking car park in Rohrbrunner Forest near Weibersbrunn. After about 600 metres, you reach a junction at the “Zum Puck” signpost. Compare this clearly specified circular route with the Faun Journey if you’re choosing between a route with a stated distance and a hike focused on stations and forest topics. Check local trail signs and any applicable restrictions before setting out.

The wider area: Aschaffenburg

The wider Aschaffenburg destination offers further opportunities to explore the district on foot or by bike. Spessart Trails 1, 2 and 3 run through Aschaffenburg District and have already been awarded the “Wanderbares Deutschland” quality certification four times. The family-friendly, well-signposted Main Cycle Route also runs through the district’s Maintal valley. These options are part of the wider Aschaffenburg destination; they should not be confused with the hiking trails in the Rohrbrunner Forest.

The cycling routes also differ in character: the Kahltal-Spessart Cycle Route is a signposted route through the district’s landscapes. In the eastern Hochspessart, four challenging cross-country routes are signposted as Bikewald-Spessart routes. For a different way to discover nature and sights, the Denk mal – Rad mal app offers cycling tours with stories, quizzes and information. Check local trail signs and the availability of the app content before planning your trip.

The district also combines nature experiences with Franconian food culture: numerous inns and hotels serve Franconian specialities and Äppelwoi from local cider presses. This is a regional complement to the woodland and hiking themes of the Rohrbrunner Forest, not a feature of every individual accommodation or place.

Choosing the right accommodation as your base

When choosing a holiday apartment or holiday home, it’s worth first considering what you want from your stay: would you like to focus on forest reserves and habitats, or include different hiking and cycling options in the wider Aschaffenburg destination? If the Faun Journey or the Eichblatt Steinthor Rohrbrunn circular hike is your deciding factor, you can focus your search on the Rohrbrunner Forest and the relevant hiking destination. For a broader stay, the regional cycling and hiking routes can also help guide your choice of holiday base.

For a family holiday, alternating between nature observation, hiking and cycling can help you take different interests into account when planning each day. The Faun Journey provides information about species at its stations; the Eichblatt Steinthor Rohrbrunn circular hike is clearly defined as five kilometres.

Discover more destinations: Goldbach, Geiselbach, Großostheim, Mömbris, Wiesen, Kleinostheim, Johannesberg, Krombach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Aschaffenburg.