Jossa – Cycling Routes, Nature and History in the Spessart

Jossa can be explored via two very different routes: the European Cultural Cycle Route “Pearls of the Jossa” follows the small river for around 33 kilometres, while the Spessartspur “Jossa-Sinn-Blick” trail is 5.3 kilometres long. There are also the Sinnwiesen protected landscape area, a Kneipp facility and the Protestant church, whose construction history can be dated. This gives you a range of options for planning your trip: a longer cycling route, a much shorter hiking trail, nature and local history. You can decide which to focus on based on your preferred distance and interests.

Cycling along the Jossa

The approximately 33-kilometre-long European Cultural Cycle Route “Pearls of the Jossa” follows the small river Jossa from the Bavarian exclave of Emmerichsthal through Sinntal-Jossa and the Jossgrund valley to Villbach. It is marked with a yellow EU boat on a blue background. From Sinntal-Jossa, there is also a connection to the Hessian long-distance cycle route R2 and the Rhönexpress railway cycle path. If you include these connections in your route planning, check the local signposting before setting off, as it may change. The cycling route and the 5.3-kilometre-long Spessartspur trail differ above all in their length and described routes; no conclusions about difficulty can be drawn from this.

The Spessartspur trail and its landscape

The Spessartspur “Jossa-Sinn-Blick” trail starts at the sports ground in Sinntal-Jossa. It first follows the small river Jossa, then continues along varied, well-marked meadow and forest paths to Hoheleite. On the return leg, there are views of a picturesque railway viaduct spanning the Jossa valley. This shorter route therefore takes in the river, open meadows, forest paths and a distinctive structure—a different focus from the longer cycling tour along the Jossa.

The natural setting can also be understood in geographical terms: Jossa is in the Spessart Nature Park. The “Sinnwiesen” nature reserve stretches through Hesse from Sinntal-Altengronau to Sinntal-Jossa. This protected landscape is a distinct feature of the area around the village, while the Spessartspur follows a specific route along meadow and forest paths. There is also a Kneipp facility in the “In den Joßwiesen” recreation area in Jossa, Spessartgrund.

Church history and spring blossoms in Sinntal

A key historical landmark in Jossa is the Protestant church: its foundation stone was laid on 2 May 1909, and it was consecrated in 1910. These two dates give local history a specific timeframe and complement the nature and route themes with a cultural aspect.

Spring brings another nature-related attraction to the wider travel destination of Sinntal. The chess flower meadows can be viewed from various cycling and hiking trails, including the paved cycle and footpath between Sinntal-Altengronau and Sinntal-Jossa. The annual chess flower festival is held in Sinntal-Altengronau at the end of April; free guided tours offer a chance to explore the meadows. Flowering depends on the weather, and dates and event details may vary. If you plan to visit for this seasonal attraction, check the latest information before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Züntersbach, Weichersbach.

Go to the overview of the wider travel destination: Sinntal.