The Birkenhainer (High) Road is a medieval military and trade route between Rhenish Franconia and East Franconia. It is 71 km long and connects Hanau and Gemünden am Main, shortening the route along the Mainviereck by leading the route through the northern Spessart.

The name Birkenhainer Road first appears in 1338 and comes from the "Birkenhain" forest section near Geiselbach, near which several groups of paths merge to form a main route heading east.

The route runs over the mountain ridges and thus avoids ascents and descents. Grave finds along the road at the height of Freigericht Bay indicate that it was already in use in the 2nd millennium BC. The construction of the small fort Neuwirtshaus proves that the road was also used in Roman times. The Einsiedel monastery was also built on the road.

In the Middle Ages, the road was often the scene of raids by Spessart robbers on trade transports. In 1564, an attack by robber barons of lower nobility on Nuremberg merchants above the Bieberggrund is documented. In addition to merchants, Upper Franconian sailors, raft traders and linen riders used the Birkenhainer Straße to return, avoiding the detour via the Mainviereck. It was part of the medieval connection between Vienna and Amsterdam and lost importance after the 14th century due to the construction of new roads along the rivers and cities.

Today, the Birkenhainer Straße is used as a hiking route and cycle path. The Spessartbund has marked the path with a black "B" on a white background and maintains it. It runs largely along the Hessian-Bavarian border; many historical boundary stones have been preserved along the route.

Source: Wikipedia

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Elevation 460 m

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Location: Langenprozeltener Forst, Main-Spessart, Lower Franconia, Bavaria, Germany

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