Gräfendorf with its districts Wolfsmünster and Schonderfeld is a recognised resort (Erholungsort) in the lower valley of the Franconian Saale in Lower Franconia - between the Spessart and the Rhön, framed by the Schondra valley and the Sodenberg nature reserves.
Where to stay
Roof over your head by the water
A few places to stay right in the valley. Please book directly - details and prices may change.
Hotel & Gasthof Saaletalstuben
Gräfendorf-Michelau · An der Saale 1
A 3-star house right on the Saale and the cycle path, with 12 double rooms and Franconian cuisine. Explicitly geared to walking, cycling and angling.
A night up among the treetops: the tree-house hotel at the Seemühle has cabins raised high off the ground - a special place to stay between woods and water. Please book directly.
Pension and campsite in a quiet valley setting near the Saale - a good base for a longer, outdoorsy fishing stay. Please confirm current opening and pitches directly.
There are further guest houses and holiday flats in and around the village; the municipality of Gräfendorf and the Spessart-Mainland tourist information can help with current availability.
Where you arrive
Places to arrive
Three small villages on the river - your base for a few quiet days by the water.
The Saale valley railway (Saaletalbahn, Gemünden - Bad Kissingen) runs right along the river. Wolfsmünster has its own halt and Gräfendorf a station, so you can leave the car at home and walk to the water.
By car, Gräfendorf and Wolfsmünster are easily reached from Gemünden am Main (A3 / B26 area) along the valley road.
By train
Line
Saaletalbahn (KBS 803)
Halt
Wolfsmünster
Station
Gräfendorf
Operator / cadence
Erfurter Bahn · roughly every 2 h
Active in nature
Cycling, walking & wild valleys
Franconian Saale cycle path
The valley cycle route follows the Saale from its source down to the Main at Gemünden - mostly traffic-free, gently downhill and running straight through Gräfendorf. A relaxed way to scout the water.
Walking
Around 120 km of marked trails cross the wooded hills. A favourite is the loop to the Trettstein waterfall in the romantic Schondra valley nature reserve, home to kingfisher and freshwater pearl mussel.
Down to the water
Climbing
Prefer to head upwards? Near Schonderfeld stands the Kletterpfeiler - a mighty sandstone pier rising free from the meadow, today used for climbing.
The Kletterpfeiler near Schonderfeld
Worth seeing
Around the valley
Where the Schondra meets the Saale
Sodenberg - an extinct basalt volcano (the reserve adjoins Gräfendorf; the summit itself belongs to Hammelburg) with a 360° view over the Saale valley, Spessart and Rhön, plus a small chapel.
Schondra valley - a wildly romantic, meandering nature reserve with the Trettstein waterfall.
Wolfsmünster - village with an 18th-century manor and the church of St Wolfgang.
Seewiese fish farm - a trout farm in the valley, said to be one of the oldest in Germany. more →
Hammelburg - Franconia's oldest wine town upstream, with Saaleck castle and a wine trail.
Gemünden am Main - the 'three-rivers town' at the mouth of the Saale, with a pretty old town.
