Over hill and dale around Hammelburg

Our hike begins at Hammelburg's market square. The old Franconian wine town was first mentioned in a document in 716. The beautiful town hall and the Renaissance-style market fountain date back to the 16th century. If you are interested in the history of Hammelburg, you should buy the "Little Guide" at the tourist information on the market square. We walk along Bahnhofstraße, pass the Bürgerspitalkirche and reach a roundabout. The first turn-off leads us to the right into Seeshofer Straße, which passes under the railway tracks and merges into Kobelstraße. The marking "Rhönclub hiking trail no. 3" accompanies us. At the end of the street, we turn left into Pfaffstraße and immediately right again into Weberstraße. Follow the second road on the left, Faulstiegstraße, for about 1.5 km. The path leads gently uphill in a right-hand bend. We walk along the edge of the forest with a view of the Ganstal (1) below the Buchberg. At a hill we come to a fork in the path, which we follow to the left. From here, a gravel path leads through sparse pine forest until you reach another clearing. Our view opens up here over the vineyards to Saaleck Castle and the valley of the Franconian Saale. Saaleck Castle" was built in the 12th century to protect Hammelburg. The shady path leads us in a loop back southwards and soon becomes a narrow forest path leading down towards the Thulba valley. We can take a break at a rest area (2) with a beautiful view. Our route continues steeply downhill through flowering meadows and comes across a cross path, which we follow to the right. Straight ahead, this path takes us leisurely downhill to Herbertsmühle in Untererthal. If you want to take a break in the village at the historic inn "Zum Goldenen Kreuz" (3), turn left at the mill, cross the river Thulba and follow the view of the church tower. Back at the bridge, follow the signpost "1.4 kilometres to Obererthal". Like the Thulba, the asphalt footpath and cycle path meanders past willows and alders to Obererthal. We meet the Kapellenweg, which leads to the left into the village, follow the Obererthal road to the right and reach the Gasthof "Zum Stern" with its own schnapps distillery. Hiking along the Kapellenweg to the right, we reach a crossroads. Walk straight ahead up the steep forest path. At the next crossroads, turn right. At the next two forks, we keep left and then follow the path sharply to the left until we reach the highest point and a chapel (4). Continue straight downhill on the wide gravel path until you reach a valley again, where you turn left onto the road. In front of us we see the houses of Seeshof. In the village you can admire a well house with a fire bell (5). Walk through the romantic village uphill to the right. At the edge of the forest, a field path begins on the right. With a wonderful view over the valley, to the Erthaler Berg and Buchberg, the path leads us back towards Hammelburg. First, the path slowly descends to the Rechbach stream. We enjoy a rest under an old lime tree (6) with a seating area. On the left bank of the stream and parallel to the road, we walk across the fields and reach Hammelburg. We follow the road "An der Leite" straight downhill. Then we walk under the railway tracks again and reach the roundabout. Here we find the Herrenmühle town museum, which vividly conveys the history of the region. The building with the baroque façade informs about the 1200-year history of wine in Hammelburg and bread making. We turn left into Bahnhofstraße and reach the market square again with its cafés and restaurants.