Attractions:
Neckarsteinach's castles – Goethe Viewpoint – Hawthorne Path – ‘Rotes Bild’ wayside shrine – ‘Freischar’ (irregular soldiers) burial site – Hirschhorn’s castle and old town – weir with locks.

Length: 16.5 km
Start / End: Neckarsteinach train station / Hirschhorn’s old town centre
Difficulty:  500 m ascent 480 m descent

The ‘Hinterburg’, located directly on the Neckarsteig, was built around 1100. It is well worth making small detour to the ‘Mittelburg’ and ‘Schadek’ castles. On the way, a sign points towards the ‘Goetheblick’ viewpoint. A small path branches off to the lookout point, from which one has a wonderful view of the Neckar valley and Dilsberg. Nestling in a beautiful mixed forest you will find a wayside shrine, an image of protection and salvation. This ‘Rote Bild’ (red picture), the source of a number of legends, invites you to have a rest. The ‘Freischärlergrab’ (burial site of irregular soldiers) stems from the Baden Revolution in 1848/49. Hirschhorn Castle was founded around 1260 and enlarged in the 14th century. Since it was spared from major destruction, today it is in very good condition and is a hotel and restaurant. The weir and locks enabled Hirschhorn to extend to the other side of the Neckar. The village is now called Ersheim.