Across the Höllbachgespreng towards Großer Falkenstein

Stages:
Zwieslerwaldhaus– Höllbachschwelle – Höllbachgespreng – Großer Falkenstein – Ruckowitzschachten - Zwieslerwaldhaus

Tour description: 
Starting from parking lot 1 Zwieslerwaldhaus (at the beginning of the village - to the left) or the Igelbus stop Abzweig Wildniscamp (705 meters above sea level), we first follow a path next to the paved road towards the village center. At the end of the large parking lot on our left, we turn right and follow the marking 'Heidelbeere' (Blueberries) towards Falkenstein.
We steadily walk uphill on forest roads and trails. At a crossrads, we keep right, following the sign 'Heidelbeere' (Blueberries) until we reach the hidden Höllbachschwelle after quite some time (990 meters above sea level - toilets available). At the small cabin, we turn left and walk along the Höllbach across the rocks and steeply uphill to a junction. We cross the Höllbach at a waterfall on the left hand side and follow the sign 'Heidelbeere' (Blueberries) through Höllbachgespreng.

The steep path leads us through impressive rock formations and along the slope. Over the Höllbachriegel, we finally climb the last meters in altitude to the summit of Großer Falkenstein (1,315 meters above sea level). At the summit, we are rewarded with a great view.

After a break at the summit or a stop at Falkenstein shelter, we continue with the signpost 'Goldsteig' in direction to Zwieslerwaldhaus. Past the Falkenstein shelter, the path branches off to the right hand side.
Straightly the ‘Goldsteig’ leads through large areas without any old trees. Here, the trees were overturned by storm ‘Kyrill’ in 2007 and the wood was taken out of the management zone within the national park - according to the legal transitional provisions. At the next crossroads, we keep left on the ‘Goldsteig’ and reach an area where windthrow has been refurbished almost completely with the exception of a small area. This area gives an idea of how the area would have developed without human impact. Tilted root plates, trunks and crowns serve as small habitats.
 
We follow the trail downhill until we reach Ruckowitzschachten, a former mountain pasture (1150 meters above sea level). After crossing the open area, the path is getting steeper downhill. We cross a cycle path and follow the ‘Goldsteig’ through the pristine forest area Mittelsteighütte (730 meters above sea level).

At the next junction there is an information board about the pristine forest area. We keep to the right and follow the marking ‘Ameise’ (Ant) across a wooden bridge. Lastly, we leave the pristine forest area. The path leads at the edge of the village Zwieslerwaldhaus until we reach the asphalt road again. After few hundred meters get to the starting point of our tour.

Correct on the go – all the time:

• Beware of falling trees and deadwood! The use of the path is at your own risk. At strong wind please leave the forest for safety reasons!
• Path regulations in order to protect endangered plants and animals in certain areas of the national park
• Please do not leave any trash! Dog poop bags or handkerchiefs do not belong in nature either. Please help to keep our wild forest clean. Thank you!

Always ensure to have good equipment: card, sturdy shoes, something to drink, first aid kit, bad weather clothing

Advice:
Hard and difficult tour with steep passages and high difference in altitude. Good stamina required. Sturdy footwear required.
In spring, the way through Höllbachgespreng might be blocked because of breeding falcons; in this case there will be a signposted detour.
Refrehment point at Falkensteinschutzhaus (Please inform about the opening hours).

Parking lot P1 Zwieslerwaldhaus (at the beginning of the village on the left side)
Waldhausstraße 22
OT Zwieslerwaldhaus
94227 Lindberg

Parking lot P1 Zwieslerwaldhaus (at the beginning of the village on the left side)

Igelbus stop Zwieslerwaldhaus
Abzweig Wildniscamp (Falkensteinbus Linie 7150)
Fahrpläne unter www.bayerwald-ticket.com

• Heidelbeere (Blueberries)
• Goldsteig
• Ameise (Ant)

Did you know it?

Native forest area Mittelsteighütte
Imposing giant trees, tiny shoots and moss-covered deadwood characterize this forest. More than 100 years ago, the Mittelsteighütte was declared a sanctuary. In 1939 finally, the forest was put under protection. The 45-hectare mixed mountain forest of spruce, fir and beech is an important retreat for primeval relict species. These are animals, plants and fungi that need these special structures as a habitat and a high proportion of deadwood.

Höllbachgespreng
Waterfalls and impressive rock formations can be found on the path across Höllbachgespreng. The most challenging tour to Großer Falkenstein (1,315 meters above sea level) leads across the Höllbachgespreng, a wild and romantic landscape with many small waterfalls and primeval mixed mountain forest. The Höllbachgespreng is one of the eldest nature reserves of the region and the area is part of the Bavarian Forest National Park since 1997. The Höllbach-Fälle can be found at the beginning of the path. Then the steep path meanders upwards through impressive rock formations.

For timber drift (timber transport in the water) people needed straight streams with high flow velocity. For this reason, many streams were straightened in the Bavarian Forest National Park and small dams were built in the upper areas (Klausen or Schwellen). Today, the straightening is removed in several places, so that the streams can flow naturally again (renaturation). This has positive impact on biodiversity in and around this streams and serves as flood protection too. The beaver also participates near Reschbachklause.

Parking area P1 Zwieslerwaldhaus, Waldhausstraße 22, 94227 Lindberg

Parking area P1 Zwieslerwaldhaus, Waldhausstraße 22, 94227 Lindberg