Vital Tour Bear Route

We reach the Nahe Valley via the old access road to the castle. Passing the legendary Dietersfels, we soon ascend to the old Roman road. A small spring, diverse forest vegetation, a forest meadow, a forest path with an avenue character, and the excavation protection zone of burial mounds characterize this section of the route.

On the Roman road (Höhengrenzweg), we are offered impressive distant views. At the southernmost point, we encounter a viewpoint that surprises us with a view to the east as far as the Donnersberg. A charming descent to the west into the expansive landscape follows. Orchard meadows with typical Kerbtal situations and a forest edge idyll line our way. With a view of Naumburg and along an orchid meadow, we head towards the old Naumburg spring.

The route now follows a steep hillside path (former vineyard location) with beautiful panoramic views. In the local community of Bärenbach, the path takes us past the cultural monuments of the village, the Protestant church, and an old half-timbered house from the 17th century, through a charming hollow way towards the cemetery. We reach the Schinderhanneshütte via more orchard meadows.

The shelter is romantically situated under old oaks and is dedicated to the notorious robber chief Schinderhannes, who, before his criminal career, apprenticed as a knacker with Johann Matthias Nagel in Bärenbach. Upon reaching the ridge, magnificent distant views open up to the hiker.

Through the Nahe hillside forest with its natural gnarled oak population, we reach the natural monument Hachenfels with its rock and calcareous grass flora and an impressive view of the Nahe Valley. We continue to the Kleine Hachenfels with its cellar traces of the Hachenburg, offering another beautiful view. Via a winding forest path and a wooden bridge over the Bärenbach, we return to K73 and our starting point.

Hiking shoes are strongly recommended. Backpack provisions should be taken along.