Circular hiking route Golden Oak and Hof Rüsselsbach

At the beginning of the route, you have the opportunity to make a detour to the golden oak. A special tree estimated to be 250-300 years old. The golden oak is a quirk of nature that, due to a genetic defect, does not sprout light green leaves like the usual pedunculate oaks in spring but golden-yellow leaves. You can observe this spectacle in spring for about 3 weeks. It is a unique natural monument in Europe.

Otherwise, the path continues past idyllic ponds. Before the path takes a turn to the right, you can discover the old charcoal pile site up in the forest if you look closely. It is one of many in our forests; charcoal was especially important back then for iron smelting and the production of black powder. Uphill through a beech forest, you will repeatedly enjoy magnificent panoramic views.

Arrived at the nature reserve “Auf dem Gebrannten,” you can explore the juniper heath up to 5 meters high.

On the way back down to the valley, you have a view of “Hof Rüsselsbach” – the farm was the filming location in 2008 for the crime bestseller “Tannöd” (here five people were brutally murdered with a pickaxe). It is now used only as a cowshed.

Before returning to the parking lot, take five minutes to absorb the valley’s exit. Here, a legend says a giant dwells: When the fog rises through the valley on cool summer evenings, it seems as if the giant stands with one foot on Homberg and the other on the castle, where he bends down to the stream and drinks thirstily in long draws.