The Bliesgau Blicke circular hiking trail is a varied but also demanding circular hiking trail in southern Bliesgau with several places to stop and eat in the town center.
The route starts in Gersheim at the bus station and leads through the town over the Blies bridge. There, you can see numerous fish species, herons, and with a bit of luck, a kingfisher. The route passes the Shepherd's Fountain and the Round Fountain, uphill towards "Lenn" and the third fountain of the route. Passing the historic town center with church and the ecological school hostel "Spohns Haus," the route leaves the village offering great views of the typically gently rolling landscape of southern Bliesgau with its orchard meadows. The path is also lined with numerous fruit trees. After the field barn, the route leads over the first Lachenbach to the Lachenhof. From there, the route runs parallel to the orchid path. For the next kilometer, the route winds on narrow paths steadily uphill, bordered by the typical calcareous dry grasslands of southern Bliesgau with orchids (flowering period around April to June) and dry limestone walls. Along the way, interactive info stations provide extensive knowledge about the local flora and fauna and offer wonderful views of the surroundings. Further up the path, a sensory bench with bird songs to listen to and a phenomenal view over the Bliesgau and orchard meadows await hikers. Next, it continues to the calcareous spring swamp, which with its dense population of broad-leaved cotton-grass partly shows a boggy character. Before continuing into the forest, the Pfarrer-Lindemann hut (shelter) invites you to a picnic. The path then continues through the forest on the ridge of the "Hardt," the highest point of the route. Soon, the circular path leads out of the forest again, offering beautiful views of the surroundings. On the way into the valley, the route passes the Lohhof and the former Gersheim limestone quarry, where limestone was mined for over 100 years.
Autorentipp
The route is especially recommended in spring (April to June) during the orchid flowering period.
Below the Pfarrer-Lindemann hut, slightly off the route, a piece of cultural history in Bliesgau is also preserved through the planting of an "Elsberry Avenue." The fruits of this warmth-loving shrub are used in neighboring France to produce the well-known fruit brandy "Eau d’Alisier."
In Gersheim, there are numerous places to eat. Directly at the bus station is the restaurant with terrace "Historischer Bahnhof," at Bazancourt Square in the town center there is an ice cream parlor and a snack bar. The offerings are complemented by two supermarkets (one directly next to the bus station).
Historischer Bahnhof
Bahnhofstraße 3
66453 Gersheim
06843 902055
https://www.historischer-bahnhof-gersheim.com/
Wegbeschreibung
From the starting point at Gersheim bus station, the path leads left over the Bliestal leisure trail. Upon reaching the road, the route continues over the Blies bridge. After the bridge, the route turns right onto the main street and passes the Round Fountain and the Shepherd's Fountain. At the third fountain, it turns right and ascends into the old town center past the so-called "Lenn." The route continues past the church and the ecological school hostel "Spohns Haus" and then heads right towards Herbitzheim. Leaving the village, the route passes the typical orchard meadows of the Bliesgau, the field barn, and the Lachenhof. At the Lachenhof, the route turns left and runs parallel to the orchid path. Via a path, it steeply ascends to the first information point about flora and fauna in the Gersheim orchid area. The natural path winds left past old dry stone walls made of limestone, continuing uphill with great views of the gently rolling landscape of the Bliesgau. Near the highest point of the route, a sensory bench with bird songs invites you to rest before continuing gently uphill towards the calcareous spring swamp. Upon arrival, the path turns left over the meadow to the next field path, which then leads right to the Pfarrer-Lindemann hut. From there, the route enters the shady forest where it turns left twice before exiting the forest again. The last stretch of the route leads exclusively downhill past the Lohhof, later past the former limestone quarry, until it ends again in the village.
Ausrüstung
All important information about equipment can be found in our packing list.
Sicherheitshinweise
Attention:
Basically, entering the forest and using the hiking trails is at your own risk.
Seasonally and weather dependent, increased surefootedness is required on some parts of the paths.
Please wear clothing and hiking shoes with appropriate tread suitable for the season and weather conditions.
Please note particularly:
Careful use of the constructed stairs in the forest (they may be slippery due to fallen leaves).
TOGETHER WITH RESPECT
Friendliness, understanding, and consideration for each other are fundamental principles for the cooperative use of our natural environment. The code of conduct includes:
Use existing paths, follow signposts, and respect trail closures
Do not leave traces such as litter or dog waste and treat the path with care
Respect other users of forest and countryside
Show consideration for animals and plants
Plan ahead and use daylight
DISCLAIMER:
Despite repeated inspection and careful preparation of the route descriptions, the publisher assumes no liability for the accuracy and completeness of the information provided in this description.
USAGE NOTICE:
Dear hiking friends, the hiking trails also lead along natural paths through pristine nature reserves and forests. Preserving and protecting nature is important to us.
We also wish to highlight the risks and therefore ask you to stay on the marked paths and not to enter existing rock heads for safety reasons. Furthermore, we point out the presence of natural forest hazards. Due to weather, some spots on the path may be softened and slippery and should therefore be approached with particular caution. Sturdy footwear is recommended on all routes, and surefootedness is essential.
Use of the hiking trails and premium hiking trails is at your own risk.
MARKING AND SIGNPOSTING:
All quality paths are circular hiking trails that can be hiked in both directions. Therefore, signage is provided in both directions. Try walking the route the other way around and you will discover completely new perspectives and viewpoints.
Weitere Informationen
Have you discovered a defect on the route? Then please report it using our defect reporter. Thank you very much for your help.
