Ancient Forest Trail Hirschberg - Thuringian Primeval Forest Trails "Urwaldpfade"

Logo Ancient Forest Trail Hirschberg - Thuringian Primeval Forest Trails
Logo Ancient Forest Trail Hirschberg - Thuringian Primeval Forest Trails
Tour data
2.8km
441 - 487m
Distance
70hm
67hm
Ascent
02:00h
 
Duration
Brief description

A varied hiking trail through the diverse nature in the area of the former German-German border. The path is part of the WWF project Thuringian jungle paths.

Difficulty
medium
Rating
Technique
Fitness
Landscape
Experience
Route
Hirschberg
Venzka
1.4 km
Kaiserhöhe
1.6 km
Hexenhaus
1.8 km
Wenzelshöhle
2.7 km


Best season
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Description
The primeval forest trail Hirschberg is a very diverse hiking trail that leads you into the area of the former German-German border, which was formed here between Thuringia and Bavaria by the river Saale. Discover the traces of the border and the diverse nature, which was hardly entered for decades because of the former death strip. After the border was opened, parts of the forest that had been cleared for border security were reforested. Since then, the forest has been allowed to develop naturally here. The result is a mosaic of different forest structures, from young mixed forest to centuries-old old-growth stands, from floodplain forest on the banks of the Saale to the steep and therefore rather dry slopes of the Saale valley.

Without breaks the running time is about one hour, but if you take the time to discover the forest, read the information boards and enjoy the views, you should plan at least two hours.

Directions
At the parking lot at the end of Brauhausgasse is the starting and ending point for the primeval forest trail Hirschberg. A large wooden art stele and two information boards mark the entrance to the primeval forest trail. From here we follow the black and white beetle symbol of the primeval forest trail along the bank of the Saale upstream. Above the path you can see the Hirschberg Castle as well as a deer statue that seems to look out over the Saale valley. Passing the Wenzelshöhle cave (with corresponding information signs) we come to the hanging footbridge, over which we reach the forest along the rocky steep bank of the Saale. From here on we walk on the perforated slabs of the former Kolonnenweg, which was part of the inner-German border fortifications on the side of the GDR. After a short time we reach the "Saalebänk", a bench on which now really every large family finds place.

A little later we reach an information sign on the subject of "Old and dead trees as habitat". Here the path forks: you can now walk the rest of the Urwaldpfad circular path either clockwise or counterclockwise. This trail description follows the "counterclockwise" variant: We therefore leave the column trail and turn right. From now on the path has path character. Parallel to the Saale, it continues at first at ground level. At a group of old lime trees the path forks again. If you want, you can make a detour straight ahead to the Saale. The primeval forest path, however, now leads slightly uphill to the left. On the steep slopes of the Saale valley we now pass some slate outcrops to a first vantage point over the Saale. From here we follow the path through a somewhat steeper passage up into a small valley, which we cross on a bridge. Shortly after the subsequent counter-ascent, you have the opportunity to make a detour to the right to a beautiful vantage point with a bench. From here, the primeval forest path leads across a meadow back to the Kolonnenweg, on which we start the way back. After about 400m we leave the Kolonnenweg following the signposts in the direction of "Kaiserhöhe", another vantage point with a beautiful view of Hirschberg and the Saale valley. From here, we follow a narrow path to the right that leads us into a wooded area with conifers. Following the markings, the path now leads downhill for a bit and then turns sharply to the right. If you wish, you can continue straight on to the "Hexenhaus" (a covered rest area) and take a break there. Following the markings, after a few minutes we reach a small trout pond and a few meters further on we rejoin the Kolonnenweg, on which we walk downhill to the left in the direction of the Saale. At the bottom we reach again the point where the primeval forest path forked. From here we follow the path back to the "Saalebänk" and further over the hanging footbridge to the starting point.

Highest point
487 m
Endpoint

Parkplatz am Ende der Brauhausgasse in Hirschberg

Height profile
© outdooractive.com

Equipment
Good shoes

Walking sticks if necessary

Binoculars

Safety instructions

The trail is narrow and sloping in sections. Good shoes and, if necessary, hiking poles are therefore recommended, especially when it is wet.

Tips

You want to not only experience nature, but also protect it? Here you can find out everything about the autumn fundraising hike "Hiking for biodiversity".

Additional information
On weekends in summer, you can rent boats at the starting point and get to know the Saale and the alluvial forest from a different perspective.

For more background information on the trail, the "Wild Forest" theme and the Thuringian Primeval Forest Trail project, visit:

https://thueringer-urwaldpfade.de/


Parking
A few parking spaces are available directly at the entrance to the jungle trail at the end of Brauhausgasse.

Another parking lot is located at the town hall, at the corner of Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and Marktstraße.

A large parking lot is located at the Kulturhaus, at the corner of Karl-Liebknecht-Straße and Gerberstraße. From here, walking in the direction of the Saale, it takes about 5 minutes to reach the starting point of the primeval forest trail.

All parking spaces are free of charge.


Author

4,5
Overall rating

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General info

Cultural/Historical
Flora
Fauna
A lot of view
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