In romantic Franconia between Bad Windsheim and Rothenburg ob der Tauber lies the circular hiking trail over Franconian meadow orchards to the eaves of the Frankenhöhe. The presented tour from Ottenhofen-Bergel to Burgbernheim is eleven kilometers long and takes three hours. The focus of the hike is the fruit that can be seen everywhere during the hike. From cherries to apples and pears to walnuts, you can find everything. The tour is therefore ideal for families with children, but also for all other nature lovers.
The train takes you to Ottenhofen-Bergel via Ansbach or Neustadt an der Aisch in about an hour from Nuremberg main station. It takes about three hours from Munich Central Station. With a bit of luck you will meet a wandering shepherd on the way, who roams the meadows with his sheep. You can also discover a traditional shepherd’s wagon there. A nearby pond offers cooling off on hot days. Through the forest and under the railroad tracks you get to the Prösselbuck, a large meadow orchard with 250 cherry trees that were originally planted in 1928. After the hot summer of 2003, however, many of the trees had to be reseeded.
A staircase finally leads to the Frankenhöhe, the highlight of the hike. From the vantage point “Teufelshäuschen” there is a great panorama over the Bay of Windsheim and the Steigerwald. A steep downhill path leads to the orchard adventure trail. It illustrates the orchard habitat, such as the variety of apple varieties that exist in Germany – 2000 in number. Finally, the day can be ended wonderfully in the original Franconian Burgbernheim with typical half-timbered architecture. The “Zum goldenen Hirschen” inn offers Franconian specialties (opening hours: Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday from 6 p.m. to 10.30 p.m. and Sunday from 11.30 a.m. to 2 p.m.). The journey home begins at the nearby Burgbernheim train station.