The Steigerwald is a hill region up to 498.5 m above sea level (NHN)[1] in the Bavarian-Franconian part of the South German Scarplands between Würzburg and Nuremberg.

The Steigerwald lies at the junction of the Bavarian provinces of Lower, Middle, and Upper Franconia, the tripoint being marked by the Dreifrankenstein.

Its southern boundary is formed by the river Aisch, and in the west by the Main again and a line from Marktbreit via Uffenheim to Bad Windsheim.

The Steigerwald covers the territories of six counties: Bamberg, Erlangen-Höchstadt, Haßberge, Kitzingen, Neustadt an der Aisch-Bad Windsheim, and Schweinfurt.

Well-known names include Abtswinder Altenberg, Casteller Bausch, Handthaler Stollberg, Ippesheimer Herrschaftsberg, Bullenheimer Paradies, Wiesenbronner Wachhügel, and Ziegelangerer Ölschnabel.

[8] Within the various counties whose territories include the Steigerwald, discussions have taken place about taking parts of the forest out of use and classifying them as protected areas.

The result then was that a working group of representatives of the two ministries and the three county councils would establish the foundations for an application for World Heritage status by the end of January 2015.