recommended route
3x3 Salinental: Vitaltour Rheingrafenstein
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Blick vom Aussichtspunkt GansPhoto: H. Hartusch, 3x3 Salinental
Circular tour in the Bad Kreuznach town forest, great variety of scenery with sometimes sparse, sometimes dense forests, meadows, rocky paths, castles and many panoramic views. Demanding!
The tour combines spectacular highlights. It leads to the Rheingrafenstein and Altenbamberg Castle ruins, crosses sparse oak and beech forest, alternating with dense passages of pine forest. The forest gives way to meadows again and again. Mountain paths lead from Altembaumburg Castle into the romantic Huttental valley, where a detour to the Bad Münster spa park is worthwhile. The ascent to the ice-age rock formation called the Gans (Celtic for “rock pile”) on winding paths seems almost alpine. There are distant views everywhere, and the view from the Gans into the Salinental Valley is particularly magnificent.
Author’s recommendation
Climb the Rheingrafenstein castle ruins and the keep, enjoy your rest at the Altenbaumburg, and take the ferry to the Bad Münster spa park.
Track types
Show elevation profileRest stops
AltenbaumburgThermal-Freibad Bad Münster am Stein-Ebernburg
Kurhaus
Naturstation Lebendige Nahe
Café Süße Ecke
Safety information
Many paths over loose volcanic rock. Sturdy footwear that protects the ankles is essential. Various sections may be muddy when wet .
Warning: Oak trees can be infested with the oak processionary moth over large areas. The caterpillar of the oak processionary moth is a health hazard. The stinging hairs of the caterpillars contain a nettle poison. They can also be carried by the wind. Contact with the caterpillars can be harmful to humans and pets. Caterpillar dermatitis is particularly common, with the following symptoms: Skin rashes and redness, slight swelling of the skin, wheals, itching and burning all over the body. If the stinging hairs (which contain thaumatopoein) are inhaled, this can lead to irritation of the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, bronchitis, asthma or even allergic shock. Even after the life cycle of pupa, caterpillar and moth, the empty webs with their stinging hairs pose a threat over a longer period of time.
Precautionary measures:
- Observe the warning advice
- Infested oak trees should be avoided (do not use seating groups in the vicinity).
- Caterpillars and webs must not be touched under any circumstances (never try to destroy webs yourself)
- Do not lay or sit on the ground in the vicinity of infested oak trees.
- Protect body with clothing (neck, arms)
- Lead animals on a leash, stay on the path
- Report findings: These can possibly be professionally removed with special equipment, endangered areas can be marked.
- If you have come into contact with the stinging hairs of the caterpillars, you should change your clothes and take a shower.
- Clothing must be washed at 60°C minimum
Tips and hints
Map and more information: www.3x3salinental.de
It is worth stopping off:
The forest lodge located on the tour - 15 minutes from the start and finish point.
Internet site and forest lodge opening times
Forsthaus Spreitel is not far from the forest lodge - 15 minutes away from the start and finish point.
Internet site and Forsthaus Spreitel opening times
The restaurant in Alternbaumburg Caste (half way)
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
From the hiking portal, walk past the waypoint Meeressand along varied paths and trails to the forest lodge. We walk along an old border crossing two narrow valleys and reach the idyllic goat milking meadow. Now the path leads through forest and past burial mounds.
All the way to the south, the view opens up towards Rheinhesse and the Northern Palatinate Mountains. We continue past the Bismarck hut to Altenbaumburg Castle. This can be reached by a short pass over a high, narrow bridge. On a wonderful path that leads past the Uhufels (eagle owl rock), we reach Huttental Valley. Here, from spring to autumn, you can take a manually-pulled ferry to the Bad Münster am Stein spa park.
A steep climb now awaits us up to the Rheingrafenstein ruins. A detour to the viewing platform on the castle keep is a must. From the ruins, we continue uphill for a little while until we turn onto a sleepy forest path. We walk down through a quiet valley and come across a gently ascending rocky path. This leads us past the Two-Pools-View and back up through ice-age scree slopes. On reaching the top, we follow the slope edge down. A little further through the forest and we reach the meadow area, over which we return to the hike portal.
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Bus line 203 runs from Bad Kreuznach station to the Kuhberg recreational area on Saturday, Sunday and public holidays. Monday - Friday half-hourly with final stop at Kuhberg, from there 10 - 15 minutes walk to the starting point (car park recreational area, past the animal shelter) www.rnn.info
By road
Approach via B 48 through Bad Kreuznach, corner of Salinenstraße/ Rheingrafenstraße - drive through Rheingrafenstraße to the recreational area - or via B 428, Hackenheim (L 412), direction Bad Kreuznach (L 412), exit Kuhberg recreational area (after the roundabout when leaving Hackenheim). Link to Google Maps
Parking
Large, free car park Do not park in the bus turning area on the other side of the road.
Coordinates
Author’s map recommendations
Equipment
Sturdy footwear that protects the ankles is essential. Various sections may be muddy in wet periods. The path leads over south-west sections without any protection from the sun. Therefore, sunscreen, sunglasses and a hat/cap are recommended in summer.
Statistics
- 23 Waypoints
- 23 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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Rating
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