Rettershof R8 hiking loop

The Rettershof is a popular destination in the Vordertaunus. From here, a total of seven signposted and varied circular hiking trails start, inviting you to discover the Vordertaunus on foot.

The second-longest circular hiking trail is the R8, which offers plenty of variety with its approximately eleven kilometers. Around 250 meters of altitude also need to be overcome. Good basic fitness and good footwear are therefore highly recommended.

The R8, like all other circular hiking trails, starts directly at the Rettershof. Here you can decide whether you want to strengthen yourself first at the "Zum Fröhlichen Landmann" inn for the next eleven kilometers or would prefer to stop by after the tour. Another opportunity to stop for refreshments is about halfway through the tour.

Follow the hiking trail marked with a red R in a clockwise direction. First along the edge of the forest, you will easily master the first few kilometers with their gentle ascent. Only shortly before you turn into the Viktoriaweg do the altitude meters become noticeable. But once you have overcome them, the most strenuous part of this tour is already done.

You walk almost on a straight path on the quite wide Viktoriaweg until the fork. You turn left and follow the path, which is located on a slope below the Steinkopf, one of the five highest independent peaks in the Taunus. The second refreshment stop on this route is now only about one and a half kilometers away: the Naturfreundehaus Billtalhöhe.

After you have refueled there, you first descend along the edge of the idyllic Billtal. First through a dense forest, then the landscape changes near Königstein to an open landscape of fields and meadows. Here, countless views of Königstein with its summit ruin offer themselves.

Near Schneidhain, you walk along the edge of this district until you enter a forest area again. Here you continue straight ahead to the starting point, but pay attention to a sign indicating the nearby Café Rettershof. Because instead of simply continuing to follow the path, you take a small detour via the romantic Liebespfad (Path of Love), which also leads to your starting point for the hike.