Kletterführer Odenwald

Scope and coverage

This eighth edition of Panico’s Odenwald climbing guide maps the region from Heidelberg to the Spessart with an evident eye for variety: big multi-terrace quarries, compact sandstone walls, and small quartzite cliffs. Core venues include Schriesheim (the area’s workhorse with 270+ routes), Riesenstein above Heidelberg (from historic boulders to the well-bolted “Kakerlakenhockerwand”), Ziegelhausen, Stiefelhütte, Jakobswand (DAV-managed quarry with fees, long routes and via ferrata), Lautertal’s Hohenstein and Borstein, plus the sandstone quarries of Heubach, Hainstadt and Miltenberg. Notably, the 2025 update extends east into the Spessart with Bessenbach and Stadtprozelten—logical additions for sandstone crack aficionados.

Structure and usability

The book is organized crag by crag with consistent info blocks: GPS coordinates, wall height, aspect, route counts, grade distribution, rock type, protection style, access (including public transport), parking, and child-friendliness. Conservation and local rules are prominent—zoning overlays in the topos, explicit notes on seasonal closures, lower-offs mandatory in some sectors, and chalk bans where applicable.

Topos are clean, scaled to wall height and oriented sensibly; sectors with multiple faces are “unrolled” into readable panels. Route lists sit beside each topo, with first ascensionists and brief comments, and warnings for chossy or overgrown lines. A back-of-book Felsregister offers a quick comparison of heights, aspects, and route totals—useful for planning by season or sun.

A three‑year mobile app code (Vertical-Life) adds digital topos and updates, complementing the print layout rather than replacing it.

How it climbs

• Style range: plentiful wall and corner climbing in the 5–7 UIAA band, a smattering of harder testpieces, and unusual crack lines in the sandstone quarries where cams and nuts are often essential.
• Highlights: Schriesheim’s breadth across four terraces; Riesenstein’s short, pumpy wall climbs; Jakobswand’s long pitches and “outdoor gym” infrastructure; the quieter quartzite of Borstein/Hohenstein for varied movement.
• Practicalities: Good public transport notes for Heidelberg crags, clear parking instructions, and candid gear/spacing remarks help leaders choose sensibly.

Verdict

A well-honed regional guide that blends precise cartography, candid route notes, and strong conservation guidance. Best for mid-grade leaders comfortable on cracks and clean placements, but still rewarding for higher-grade visitors seeking local testpieces. If you’re basing near Heidelberg or exploring the Sandstein-Odenwald and Spessart, this is the one to carry.

Details

Weight

380g

Pages

224

Publisher

Panico Alpinverlag