Inspired by the autumnal colors on my hike on the Hiwweltour Stadecker-Warte I want to save the colorful memories in the gloomy winter days.
Join me on a leisurely hiking tour that starts in the wine-growing community of Stadecken-Elsheim, approx. 15 km southwest of Mainz directly on the Selz river. Incidentally, it is not only a recommended hiking tip in Indian summer, as many beautiful views of the Rheinhessen hills await us in all seasons.
Cozy Saubach valley
From the parking lot at the tennis courts in Stadecken-Elsheim, the access path leads past horse pastures, through the Woog- und Bruchwiesen nature reserve.
The well-signposted Hiwweltour Stadecker Warte forks at the main road, so I decide to take the short route through the residential area and start a wonderful autumn tour in the tranquillity of the Saubach valley.
After leaving the last houses behind me, the path leads directly past a small pond. If you want to take your first break, you will find benches here. The route continues along the renaturalized Saubach stream on grass paths.
The autumn sun makes the colorful leaves on the ground and on the bushes glow and hiking is twice as much fun. At the end of the Saubach valley, the first Hiwwel can already be seen in the distance. The higher the path takes me, the more sensational the views become. I pause again and again on the ascent to enjoy the view and the play of colors. The leaves on the vines are slowly turning color, the first frost has not yet caused them to fall to the ground. Fields, meadows and vineyards resemble a colorful patchwork quilt and create a pattern in the most beautiful natural tones. I want to breathe in the scent of autumn and save the warm play of colors for the cloudy winter days.
Sensational views from the wine pavilion
The Hiwweltour Stadecker Warte impresses with its varied and numerous resting placesEach one is a small highlight along the way. It's time for my first break at the wine pavilion.
Enjoy the panoramic view of the Selz valley on one of the loungers, reflect on your thoughts, feel the warm autumn sun on your skin - this is the place to do it. The wine pavilion is a welcome shelter if the rain should surprise you on the hike or if the hike in the summer heat calls for a break.
The snack we brought with us tastes particularly delicious after the strenuous climb with this view. A photo in a picture frame with a panoramic view over the Rhine-Hessian Hiwwel as a souvenir.
Admire the geology and the view
Just a few minutes' walk away, we reach the "clay marl soil profile". The rock layers are clearly visible at the rest area and explained on an information board. You can find out more about the soil profiles and the terroir at here read more.
On the adjacent small "pilgrim vineyard" on the Spitzberg, a scallop memorial stone commemorates pilgrimages to Santigo de Compostella, which Stadeck winegrowers and local residents have already made together three times.
A visit to the namesake
Within sight, we discover the namesake of the Hiwweltour: the Stadecker Warte. Originally built in 1930, it served the winegrowers as a central point for mixing the spraying agents for the vineyards and later - as its name suggests - as a higher vantage point for the Rhine-Hessian "Wingertsschütz". His job was to scare away the voracious flocks of starlings from the vineyards with a scare pistol. It has since been replaced by guns and birds of prey. Today, the tower is a popular rest stop for vineyard tours.
Something fabulous by the way
A faithful companion on my hike is an inconspicuous blue-flowering plant by the wayside. I'm sure everyone has seen it along roadsides and paths. Its name simply fits well with my route today and I want to tell you a story about this blue beauty.
A legend about the chicory (Cichorium intybus) tells of an enchanted princess who waits in vain by the wayside with her chambermaids for her beloved, who has gone missing in the war. The blue flowers of the chicory symbolize the blue eyes of the waiting princess; they stretch their blue petals towards the sun every morning and hang their heads in the evening because the prince has not returned.
But back to the quality trail, which has been recognized as a dream route by "Wanderbares Deutschland". It impresses with its sensational views in combination with the Rhine-Hessian wine culture, which is presented to the hiker through the vivid design of the trail. The trail continues over the winding ascents and descents in the Stadecker district to the next instructive sand-lime soil profile at the Stadecker "Lenchen". The edge of the quarry is impressive in the early setting evening sun.
Not far away is the wine table, which also invites you to take a break and offers fantastic views over the vineyards.
Golden leaves guide us down into the valley
A forest section is a must on a varied tour. Especially in autumn, the variety of colors is sensational, and mushrooms sprout through the loose forest floor at this time of year and invite you to marvel.
Once back in the valley, you pass a drinking stop if the bottle is already empty - here you can get a refill.
Another group of seats is located at the "old cemetery of Hedesheim". An information board commemorates one of the oldest burial sites in the area.
A short trip back to Roman times
It is definitely worth turning right briefly on the home straight.
Where a villa rustica once stood, the "Roman info point" with a rest area for cyclists and hikers. A window into the past that tells us about the habits of the settlers of that time and brings history to life. A short film takes me on a journey from Roman times through the Middle Ages to the present day.
Along the cycle path, the trail leads back to the fork in the road at the starting point of the Hiwweltour; the last section of the trail leads back to the parking lot along the same route. A successful end to my tour with a wide variety of autumn vibes, which I would like to save for the dark and cool season. I'm sure I'll be able to look through my pictures comfortably by the fireplace and feel the sun on my face on this beautiful autumn day.
Have fun collecting colors and sunbeams!
Tip:
If you wish, you can order and pick up your Bortzeit with regional specialties in advance: Rent-a-Picnic.
