National park · Germany
Spessart
Visit Spessart for a day hike: drive 30 min from Aschaffenburg to the Hohwart trailhead, walk the 6 km (3.7 mi) loop (moderate, 2 h) for €0 entry; go in late spring–early autumn to avoid crowds and enjoy mild weather.Visit Spessart for a day hike: drive 30 min from Aschaffenburg to the Hohwart trailhead, walk the 3.7 mi (6 km) loop (moderate, 2 h) for €0 entry; go in late spring–early autumn to avoid crowds and enjoy mild weather.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
More
Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
approximate
Established
1965
Best months
Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window…
- Europe ↗Non-EU visitors get 90 days in any rolling 180-day window, counted across all 29 Schengen states together — not per country; the Entry/Exit System now logs each crossing, so an overstay is detected automatically.
- Europe ↗On the first Schengen entry since EES began, non-EU travellers give four fingerprints and a face photo at the border instead of a passport stamp; there is nothing to apply for or pay in advance.
- Central Europe ↗Six of the nine countries here — Austria, Switzerland, Czechia, Slovakia, Hungary and Slovenia — charge a time-based motorway vignette, mostly digital and linked to the number plate; buy it before the first motorway past the border, because cameras, not toll booths, do the checking.
- Central Europe ↗Temporary police checks at internal Schengen borders are common in this region in 2026 (Germany, Austria, Poland, Slovenia among others — check): keep your passport on you on every cross-border train, bus and road even though there is no fixed control post.
- Germany ↗Germany is in the EU and the Schengen area: check entry rules, the EU Entry/Exit System and any travel authorisation requirement for your passport on official sources.
- Germany ↗Nazi symbols and gestures are criminal offences, including as jokes or souvenirs.
- Germany ↗Many city centres are low-emission zones: a car needs the right sticker (Umweltplakette) to enter.
At a glance
- Country
- Germany
- Area
- 3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²)
- Spessart covers roughly 3,400 km² of low‑mountain forest in Lower Franconia, Germany. The area is managed as a regional nature park; exact boundaries vary by source.
- Established
- 1965
- Best months
- Apr–Jun, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- Not needed
Spessart is a large low‑mountain forest region in Lower Franconia, offering extensive marked hiking loops, panoramic ridge views, and cross‑country ski trails in winter, with free public access to its trails and natural areas.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1965.
Size and age
3,400 km² (1,313 sq mi)1,313 sq mi (3,400 km²) · national park since 1965
Spessart covers roughly 3,400 km² of low‑mountain forest in Lower Franconia, Germany. The area is managed as a regional nature park; exact boundaries vary by source.
Why go
- Extensive low‑mountain forest with marked hiking loops.
- Panoramic views from the Hohwart and Geiersberg peaks.
- Well‑marked cross‑country ski trails in winter.
When to go
- JanGo
- FebGo
- MarCaution
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunBest
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecGo
- JanCold but quiet; ski trails open.
- FebSnow still good for ski.
- MarEarly melt, muddy trails.
- AprBloom, mild temps.
- MayFull green, low crowds.
- JunWarm, dry.
- JulHeat, occasional thunderstorms.
- AugHeat, insects.
- SepCool, clear.
- OctAutumn colours.
- NovCool, fewer hikers.
- DecSnow possible, ski trails.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red deer, wild boar, European badgerApr–Oct · Common in forest clearings. | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no |
| Various songbirds (e.g., blackcap, nightingale)Apr–Sep | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Aschaffenburg
Regional train to Aschaffenburg Hauptbahnhof, then bus 801 to Hohwart (≈30 min) or drive 20 km (12 mi) via B26.Regional train to Aschaffenburg Hauptbahnhof, then bus 801 to Hohwart (≈30 min) or drive 12 mi (20 km) via B26.
45 min–1 h
From Würzburg
IC train to Aschaffenburg, then same bus or car.
1–1.5 h
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Hohwart area | Main trailhead, parking, information board. | Free parking, trail loops start here. |
| Geiersberg ridge | Highest point (586 m) with panoramic view. | Reachable via marked path from Hohwart. |
| Winter ski zone | Cross‑country ski tracks around Hohwart. | Open when snow cover ≥30 cm. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
3 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates from Wikidata; trailhead approximate.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance | Free | person | No fee for forest area or trails. |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Forest access no permit
Park rules
- Dogs
- Allowed on leash; off‑leash prohibited in wildlife zones.
- Camping
- Only in designated campgrounds; wild camping forbidden.
- Fire
- Open fires not permitted; use designated BBQs where available.
Where to stay
Near the park
Aschaffenburg town
Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs 20 km (12 mi) from park gate.Hotels, guesthouses and B&Bs 12 mi (20 km) from park gate.
In the park
Hohwart parking area
Free car park for day visitors.
Safety
Steep sections on Geiersberg medium
Winter ice on ski tracks high
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Parking at Hohwart is level; short loops are wheelchair‑compatible (check surface).
- Longer ridge trails have uneven ground; not suitable for limited mobility.
Visiting lightly
- Stay on marked trails to protect forest floor.
- Use reusable water bottles; refill at park water points.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Spessart?
There is no entrance fee; the forest and trails are free to the public.
What are the best hikes in Spessart?
The Hohwart 6 km loop (moderate, 2 h) and the Geiersberg summit trail (easy, 1 h) are popular. Longer ridge routes are available for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Spessart?
Late spring to early autumn (April–October) offers mild weather and full foliage; winter is good for cross‑country skiing.
Can I camp in Spessart?
Wild camping is prohibited; use designated campgrounds near Aschaffenburg or Hohwart.
Are dogs allowed?
Dogs are permitted on leash; keep them away from wildlife areas.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Sources
- secondaryWikidata – Spessart
- secondaryWikivoyage: Spessart, revision 4891157 (CC BY-SA 4.0)
Ask about Spessart
Loading…
Was this useful?