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| Melibokus | ||
| federal state | Hesse | |
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| height | 517 m | |
no tourist info on Wikidata:  | ||
| location | ||
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The 517 m high Melibokus at Zwingenberg As a landmark that can be seen from afar, it is the most striking mountain in the Hessian region Mountain road, especially in spring because of their early fruit tree blossom, their mild climate and the charming half-timbered towns, such as HeppenheimAs the highest point at the transition between the Odenwald and the flat Hessian Ried Melibokus is a popular destination for hikers and mountain bikers. From it there is a wonderful view of the Rhine plain and the Odenwald. The most direct hiking trails lead from Zwingenberg to the summit.
A nationally known excursion destination is the imposing castle ruins of the Auerbach Castle, which is located on a southern foothill of the Melibokus.
background
The mountain is also known by that name Malschen. It is curious that the Melibokus belongs partly to Bensheim-Auerbach (Bergstrasse district) and partly to Alsbach (-Hähnlein) Darmstadt-Dieburg district. For example, the observation tower and the radio tower are located on Bensheimer, the jumping hill and the water reservoir at the radio tower are located on Alsbacher district.
getting there
By train
The closest train station to the top of the mountain is 1 Zwingenberg (Bergstrasse). The regional trains Frankfurt - Heidelberg stop here. From the Zwingenberg train station, the hiking trail marked "green-white bar" leads to the summit (walking time: approx. 1 to 1 1/2 hours with an altitude difference of 400 meters). The new Nibelungensteig runs parallel to the route of the "green-white bar" to Melibokus. Recognizable by the red "N" as a marking on the trees.
In the street
If you are coming from the north in the direction of Darmstadt, the best way to leave the A5 autobahn is at 2 Junction Zwingenberg. Those arriving from the south are better off using them 3 exit Bensheim.
After leaving the autobahn, keep in the direction of the B 3. In Bensheim / Auerbach on the B 3, the driveway to Auerbacher Schloss (one-way street from 4 ) signposted with brown signs. The parking lot "Not-Gottes-Kapelle" (5 ) on the ridge at a height of about 315 m for parking (no parking fee). From here you have to climb the summit on foot. A map with circular hiking trails can be found at the parking lot. The best way to get to the summit is via the western route of the circular hiking trail with the "Yellow 6" (route at 6 , more complete Circular hiking trail no. 6 on Openstreetmap).
The paved road to the summit (7 ) is from the parking lot "Not-Gottes-Kapelle" for the closed to general vehicle traffic. It is only possible to drive up by bike.
By bicycle
From Bensheim / Auerbach via the signposted access road (8 ) drive up to Auerbacher Schloss from the B3 (narrow, winding one-way street with a 10 to 12% gradient). At the Kamm parking lot at 308 m above sea level, leave the one-way street and turn onto the paved path (closed to motor vehicles) to the summit. The road to the summit also has a 10 to 12% gradient on longer sections. Attention on the descent: the road is also used by hikers!
When leaving, you have to use the signposted one-way street in the direction of Hochstädter Tal / eastern entrance to Auerbach from the Kamm car park. Under no circumstances go illegally downhill in the opposite direction to B3. This is very dangerous because of the very narrow and confusing road.
mobility
The top of the mountain is directly accessible only on foot or by bike.
Tourist Attractions
- 1 Observation tower with bistro. There is a 22-meter-high observation tower on top of the Melibokus summit. It was inaugurated in September 1966 and replaces the old tower built in 1772 and blown up by German soldiers in the last weeks of World War II - on March 27, 1945. In a cozy dining room, the active and friendly Pelecharz couple ensure that after the ascent, the thirst and the small hunger can be quenched. For school classes and other interested groups, visits can be organized outside of the usual opening times if you register in advance. The Melibokusturm and the associated structures are maintained by the "Melibokusturmverein e.V. Bensheim" founded in November 1961. The association includes municipalities, service companies, commercial enterprises and private individuals. The office of the association is located in the Bensheim town hall, can be reached on the phone number 06251/14 279 and is available for suggestions and information.Open: The guest room is open on Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays from 11 a.m. until dark. During this time, the observation tower can also be climbed for a small fee (€ 1).Price: 1 €.
- 2 View from the hang-gliding hill area. If there are no flight activities, you can enjoy a beautiful view of the Rhine plain from the freely accessible cliff. With good visibility you can go over Rheinhessen away until Thunder Mountain watch. If it is particularly clear, you can even use the in the northwest Taunus as well as in the southwest Palatinate Forest detect.
Castle ruins Auerbacher Schloss
The castle is located at almost 345 m above sea level on a southern foothill of the Melibokus (4 ).
The ascent to the North tower the imposing ruin (5 , Free entry; beautiful panorama). On the way to the north tower you come to one about 300 year old pine that grows high on a wall (6 ). Due to its extreme location, the 7 m high conifer looks like a large-format bonsai. According to legend, a raven is said to have dropped the seed on the wall.
For a few years now, it has also been possible to climb the south tower from the inner castle.
For information on the history of the castle, see also Wikipedia article "Auerbach Castle".
- Stop: Of course, there is also the possibility to dine in the castle (see section kitchen).
- Directions: The ascent to "Schloss Auerbach" is possible by car / bicycle from the B 3 in Bensheim / Auerbach (via the same street to Melibokus as above under getting there described). There is a smaller parking lot directly at the castle (9 ). However, it can be full on beautiful excursion days. Then it is best to park in the already mentioned parking lot "Not-Gottes-Kapelle" (10 ). From here you walk about a kilometer slightly hilly to the castle ruins.
activities
- Enjoy the view
- hike - A longer circular hike from Zwingenberg train station with Melibokus, Felsenmeer and Fürstenlager to Auerbach train station is in the section trips described.
kitchen
There is a small bistro in the observation tower on the summit (see above). There are also refreshment stops at Alsbacher Schloss and Auerbacher Schloss.
accommodation
The next accommodations can be found in Zwingenberg as in Bensheim-Auerbach.
trips
For demanding hikers, a visit to the Melibokus can be in the following sporty, but very attractive Day hike include:
1st variant: Zwingenberg train station - Melibokus / Gipfel- Felsberg / Gipfel - Felsenmeer - Fürstenlager - Bensheim-Auerbach train station: around 20 km with roughly 750 meters of altitude difference
2nd variant as a complete round: Bensheim-Auerbach train station - Auerbach castle - Melibokus / summit - Felsberg / summit - Felsenmeer - Fürstenlager - Bensheim-Auerbach train station: around 22 km with roughly 750 meters in altitude. Additional description of the route to the section from Bensheim-Auerbach train station to Melibokus / summit see below.
1st variant: From Zwingenberg train station (11 ) follow the "green-white bar" (hiking trail of the Odenwaldclub) or the "red N" (marking of the Nibelungensteig) from Bahnhofstrasse to the summit of Melibokus (517 m). From here continue down the Nibelungensteig to the bridge over the Auerbach - Balkhausen road (12 ) consequences. Now the climb to the Felsberg begins.
There is a possibility to stop for refreshments on the Felsberg 2 Refreshment stops at Felsberg summit: Ada's Buka (at 510 m). German and African cuisine.). However, the former observation tower (Olyturm) is not accessible. At the gastronomy, however, a small view to the north opens up over a forest aisle.
From the summit of the Felsberg, go down the Nibelungensteig (red N) or now the "red-white bar" down to the Felsenmeer (see also the corresponding Wikipedia article). At the edge of the path, the large altar stone catches the eye (7 ). This was edited by the Romans. The most famous sight of this former Roman quarry is the giant column (8 ). By the way, there is a small kiosk here, where you can find, among other things, Drinks are available.
From the giant column, the route of the red and white bar in the wooded southern slope of the Felsberg now runs back towards Bergstrasse (the Nibelungensteig was left at the iesenäule). It usually goes downhill. On the way you pass the monument "Teufelsstein" (at 360 m) (9 ).
At the refuge "Selterswasser Häuschen" (at 290 m altitude at 10 ) the landscape opens up and offers a south-facing view towards Lautertal. Here the route of the "red-white bar" is left. The hike continues on the high trail in a south-westerly direction (yellow square marking on white ground in the direction of the Fürstenlager).
After about 3 km from "Selterswasser Häuschen" the 11 State Park Princely Camp reached (see also Article Bensheim). It is worth seeing here, among other things. the imposing sequoia that is at 12 is to be found. In front of the prince camp, it is a good idea 13 from the best to stay up to date. At 14 you can still pass a beautiful view of the vineyards (including a rest area with a refuge). Via the "Friendship Temple" you can descend from here along the "Herrenwiese" past the sequoia tree into the valley of the Fürstenlager.
From Bachgasse in Bensheim-Auerbach (15 , leave the "Yellow Square" marking here, there are restaurants on Bachgasse), go to Weidgasse, Franz-Schubert-Strasse, Schlossstrasse, Karlsbader Strasse and Otto-Beck-Strasse 16 Auerbach train station. This attractive, very sporty circular hike ends here.
2nd variant, section Bensheim-Auerbach station to Melibokus / summit: From the Bensheim-Auerbach train station, take Otto-Beck-Straße, Karlsbader Straße, Schlossstraße and Franz-Schubert-Straße to Weidgasse. Here at 17 Turn left diagonally uphill into Weinbergstrasse. From here the tour follows the Burgensteig (marked blue "B"). It goes uphill through the forest - until you reach Auerbach Castle.
The tour follows the Burgensteig to the parking lot "Not-Gottes-Kapelle" (18 ). The blue "B" is left here. It now goes on the western route of the circular hiking trail with the "Yellow 6" to the Melibokus summit (route at 19 . From the summit, continue on the Nibelungensteig (red "N") in the direction of Felsberg (as already described in Varinate "1" above).
literature
- Hiking in the Odenwald and on Bergstrasse by Andreas Stieglitz, DuMont Reiseverlag, Ostfildern, ISBN 3-7701-8013-5 , · 5th updated edition Jan. 2010, 151 pages, · 12.95 € · · Reading sample: The scholars were wrong here - From Zwingenberg on Bergstrasse to Melibokus
Web links
- Bergstrasse Tourism Service - Official community site of the cities and municipalities along the Bergstrasse
- Tourism website "Nibelungenland" - Official tourism website of the Bergstrasse district
- Bergstrasse-Odenwald Nature Park
Webcams
- View from Melibokus to Bensheim (from approx. 530 m) - When there is fog in the Rhine plain, you can see here whether a hike to the Melibokus is worthwhile.
