Neckarsteig 3rd stage: Neckarsteinach - Hirschhorn

An impressive sight awaits you when you visit the "four-castle town" of Neckarsteinach. The Hinterburg ruins, located directly on the Neckarsteig trail, were built around 1100. The middle castle (privately owned and can be visited by appointment) and the ruins of Schadeck Castle are well worth a short detour.

If you walk in the direction of Hirschhorn, you will soon come to a narrow path uphill after Hinterburg Castle and a few houses. Fitness is required here. You will be rewarded at the Goetheblick viewpoint, which is marked with a sandstone signpost: A small cul-de-sac leads you to the viewpoint of the same name, from where you have a wonderful view of the Neckar valley and the Dilsberg.

Embedded in a beautiful mixed forest is the sign, a protective sign of salvation in the forest. The red picture marks the boundary between the former Schönau monastery and Hirschhorn. There are two legends surrounding it:

A woman gave birth to quadruplets as a result of adultery. She wanted to take the children to the Neckar in a basket and drown them, but was caught at the wayside shrine by a forester who saved the children.

Or: An unfaithful guardian hanged himself at the Rote Bild and is said to still walk around there today.

Directly on the route, you will also find the Freischärlergrab with the cross, which dates back to the Baden Revolution of 1848/49.

Hirschhorn Castle was founded around 1260 and extended in the 14th century. As it was spared major destruction, it is in very good condition today and can be visited as part of a guided tour. If you start early, note that the castle only opens its doors at 7:00 a.m. and closes again at 5:30 p.m. in the evening.

The Langbein Museum in the center of Hirschhorn displays the "Naturalia and Antiquities Collection" of Hirschhorn innkeeper Carl Langbein.

The barrage and lock also enabled Hirschhorn to expand to the other side of the Neckar - to what is now Ersheim.

Places of interest:

• Neckarsteinach old town
• The four castles Hinterburg, Vorderburg, Mittelburg, Schadeck Castle
• Goetheblick viewpoint
• Hagedornweg
• "Rotes Bild" statue and wayside shrine
• Freischärler grave
• Old town and Hirschhorn Castle
• Neckar barrage with ship lock