Vitaltour Felsengarten

At the Randhahn’s Ruh hikers’ car park, we cross the Apfelbach stream on our hiking trail and follow the district boundary between Simmertal and Horbach, marked by remarkable old boundary stones. We then hike through the species-rich semi-arid grasslands in a coppice forest and hedgerow landscape of the Vogelsberg. The hiking trail now turns north towards the tranquil village of Horbach before we approach the highlight of the hike, the “Felsengarten”.

The section that now follows with viewing pulpits in an exposed position along the Simmerbach Valley can undoubtedly be described as the crowning highlight of the trail. From the Falkenstein, Uhuwarte, Rabenkanzel and Felsenköpfchen viewpoints, a breathtaking view of the Simmerbach Valley opens up, with its unusual, southern European flora. The Falkenstein refuge invites us to take a prolonged break. The entire lower Simmerbach Valley is designated as a flora-fauna habitat conservation area and bird sanctuary. The strikingly green-coloured slate rocks in the area of the Rabenkanzel are among the oldest rocks in Rhineland-Palatinate. Finally, the hiking trail leads us through disused vineyards, old fruit trees and hedge land to our starting point, the village of Simmertal.