The Spessart's magnificent wooded landscapes and crisp, clean air afford plentiful opportunities for outdoor activities and a healthy, restorative break.
With well-connected trails for hiking and cycling, five golf courses and numerous tennis facilities, there's a multitude of ways to enjoy the Spessart's great outdoors. Explore the region on horseback or in a hot air balloon, take to the River Kinzig on a canoe or take a pedalo out onto the Kinzigtalsperre reservoir. Head to Steinau an der Straße to visit the 2.5-million-year-old Teufelshöhle, Hessen's largest stalactite cave.
Well known for its legends and fairytales and its impressive historic buildings, Spessart offers a range of cultural highlights. In Hanau, birthplace of the Grimm brothers and starting point of Germany's Fairy Tale Road (Märchenstraße), you'll find the Baroque Philippsruhe Palace (Schloss Phillippsruhe). Whilst you're there, don't miss Wilhelmsbad State Park (Staatspark Wilhelmsbad) with its gorgeous grounds and historic spa buildings.
Steinau an der Straße is home to the Grimm Brothers' House Museum (Museum Brüder Grimm-Haus), located in the imposing 16th century building in which they spent their youth. The town of Lohr am Main is believed to have provided the inspiration for the story of Snow White - you'll find the evil queen's magic mirror on display at Lohr Castle (Lohrer Schloss).
The Spessart's temperate climate and excellent air quality lends it to health-focused relaxation activities such as the Japanese practice of forest bathing. Spa town options include Bad Orb, home to an impressive graduation tower and a liquid sound temple, and Bad Soden-Salmünster, where you can choose to jump around at a winter wave party or relax or unwind in a hot saltwater pool. For the perfect end to a busy day enjoying all that Spessart has to offer, head to one of the region's rustic guesthouses and enjoy some freshly prepared local seasonal produce such as trout, wild mushrooms or game.
