Laufach: Cultural Trails and Railway History

Laufach brings together several themes for a stay: cultural trails, railway history, and cycling and hiking routes. When choosing a hotel in Laufach, you can decide whether you want to explore historic sites in Frohnhofen, the history of the railway, or routes through the town and district.

Cultural Trails in Frohnhofen and along the Spessart Ramp

The European Cultural Trail “Revolution and Civil War” leads to sites of 19th-century history in Frohnhofen. The waymarked trail runs past the “1849 Assembly Meadow” along the railway line to Hofgut Wendelstein. The sites also include memorials to the fallen Hessian soldiers, just behind the “Old Brewery” in Frohnhofen. The assembly site, estate and memorials each give the historical theme a specific local connection.

The 14-kilometre European Cultural Trail “Spessart Ramp” focuses on a different theme. It follows the railway line from Laufach station to Heigenbrücken stop and offers insights into landscape changes around the steep incline, as well as the changes brought to the Laufach valley by the railway. The preserved portal of the Schwarzkopf Tunnel on the Laufach side is one of the stops on this cultural trail. In 2018, Laufach street artist Max Hasenstab created graffiti there depicting a steam locomotive and a man with a speech bubble. The portal thus brings together a preserved structure and a later artistic work.

Railway History and Recreation Area

At the Eisenbahnerlebnis Spessartrampe recreation area, a former Deutsche Bahn regional train carriage serves as an information centre on railway history in the Laufach valley. The story spans from the construction of the Spessart Ramp around 160 years ago to the Hanau–Nantenbach ICE high-speed line, with its four tunnel structures. The Geolodge and rock trail provide information about rock finds from the tunnel construction and complement the railway story with geological discoveries associated with the construction work.

The recreation area also has a double slide, a zip line, a Dutch disc, a play train, a table tennis table and a basketball court. As facilities may change, check locally that the listed amenities are available before visiting. A barbecue hut, a meeting area and a tent meadow provide options for day trips and events for children’s and youth groups or clubs. When planning, it is worth distinguishing these facilities from the cultural trail stops described above.

Cycling and Hiking Routes around Laufach

A fully paved, long-distance cycle path connects the Laufach districts of Frohnhofen and Hain and runs mostly away from motor traffic. The Spessartweg 1 and Spessartweg 2 hiking trails also cross in Laufach. These details describe different types of routes and points of orientation: a cycle path between two districts and a junction in the hiking trail network. Before setting out on a specific bike ride, check local notices for temporary works or closures.

Further Guidance in the Wider Aschaffenburg Destination

The wider Aschaffenburg destination offers additional cycling and hiking options. The family-friendly MainRadweg runs through the Main valley in Aschaffenburg district and is well signposted. The Kahltal-Spessart cycle path is a signposted route through the district’s landscapes. These regional routes can be distinguished by theme from the path between Frohnhofen and Hain in Laufach: the Laufach route focuses on the districts, while the others run through the Main valley or the wider landscapes of the district.

For a wider choice of routes in Aschaffenburg district, the eastern Hochspessart has four signposted, challenging cross-country trails. The Spessartweg 1, 2 and 3 trails also run through the district and have already been awarded the German Hiking Association’s “Quality Trail Wanderbares Deutschland” certification four times. The Eselsweg is a multi-day hike in the district. The routes described therefore range from a connection between two Laufach districts to challenging or multi-day tours in the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Schöllkrippen, Aschaffenburg, Kahl, Rothenbuch, Sommerkahl, Hösbach, Wiesen, Krombach

Back to the main travel overview: Aschaffenburg.