Habichtswaldsteig Section 2 from Firnsbachtal to Bad Emstal

From the Firnsbachtal hiking parking lot, hike north to the trail (approx. 200 m). Above the settlement "Firnsbachtal" (with restaurant!) the Habichtswaldsteig then leads along the edge of the forest in partial shade towards Schauenburg-Hoof. With a little imagination it becomes easy to imagine how the village of Hoof developed as a medieval settlement in the protection of the Schauenburg on the mountainside. Through narrow, partly winding alleys, the path goes steadily uphill, finally crossing quite steeply cattle pastures at the upper edge of the village. Zigzagging, you finally reach the ruins of Schauenburg Castle, which was the seat of the local noble family in the Middle Ages. The castle was probably built in Frankish times around the years 600 - 800, when the Hessengau was part of the Frankish Empire. Wide views as far as the Sauerland compensate for the effort of the ascent. From the hawk's perspective, Breitenbach and Martinhagen lie like toy villages in the valley. At the fairy-tale resting place "Landschaftsthrone", three huge wooden thrones have been rebuilt for the trail and invite you to enjoy the distant view under the motto "Throne over your lands". The path now leads into a gently rolling landscape, which crosses dreamy valleys and forests, where in autumn the wafts of mist create a fairy-tale atmosphere. In Breitenbach, it is worth taking a detour to the Fairy Tale Watch, which was established in the former fire station on June 15, 1997 in honor of the two Grimm fairy tale contributors, Demoiselle Marie Hassenpflug, married von Dalwigk, and Wachtmeister Johann Friedrich Krause. (Open every Sunday from 3 to 6 p.m., changing events: www.maerchenwache.de). Diving into the fairy tale forest, the path leads to the ruins of Falkenstein Castle, around which stories of the von Hund family from the 14th century are entwined and which, like many castles, was torn between the landgrave and the church. Here at the fairy tale resting place "Pfeifenwippe" you create sounds from the time of the Minnegesang and let them combine to your own melody. This is followed by the Altenburg rampart complex, which brings the life of the Chatti people to life with its information boards and offers a view of the Lower Hessian depression with Niedenstein. Via a nature trail in the Pfaffenholz between Bad Emstal-Sand and Niedenstein, the path descends again to the edge of the forest and continues into the valley of the Ems, the valley of the springs and the tranquil Bad Emstal. A federal highway is crossed and the trail continues up to the Erzeberg, whose forest edge is left via the extra tour H6 to the stage destination Rosengarten at the spa gardens of Bad Emstal. Numerous lodging establishments invite you to spend the night. Alternatively, you can get off at the Erzeberg hikers' parking lot or hike toward the spa gardens from here. (Shortening by approx. 3 km)

A44, L 3215, K 22, Korbacher Straße, www.nvv.de

There will be a closure in the Falkenstein area between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Nov. 4.
Deutsches Wandersiegel Premium Wanderwege
Deutsches Wandersiegel Premium Wanderweg
Premium hiking trails are stretches and circular hiking trails that are excellently marked and have a particularly high experience value. A balanced, beautiful hiking experience is guaranteed on premium hiking trails. Pleasant road surfaces and paths, a selected dramaturgy with great views, beautiful forest pictures, water bodies, rock structures, well-kept resting and resting places, cultural-historical gems and many other variety make the hike on premium hiking trails a special pleasure.

A detour to Breitenbach with fairy tale watch and winery and distillery Döhne is always worthwhile.