Best trails in Hainich National Park
Where the Soviet troops trained during the Cold War, you can now enjoy a piece of primeval forest. There are plenty of beech trees to admire over an area of 7500 hectares, which have been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2011. The forest is gradually becoming wild again here, and in the middle of the national park, between the massive copper beeches, the moss-covered trunks and the furry, earthy scent, you feel as if you are in another world.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.4 (22)·Easy·3.1 km·Est. 0.5–1 hrBarrier-free nature trail in the Hainich National Park. Enchanted forest giants. Talking ravens. Root dwarves. White women in the mist. Whispering branches. Good fairies. The jungle is deep and dark, and suddenly a wonderful clearing opens up unexpectedly. A fairytale forest. Anyone who enters the Hainich Forest is transformed - one way or another. The fact that the Hainich Forest is so unique also makes it a place of fond memories: of childhood, of carefree times in nature and of fairy...
- 4.3 (12)·Moderate·10.6 km·Est. 3–3.5 hrVaried, idyllic hiking trail in the Hainich National Park. The Saugrabenweg circular hiking trail is signposted with the "wild boar" symbol. The beautiful loop leads through the Brunstal valley in Mülverstedter Holz. The beech forests here in the Hainich National Park are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The hike can be started from the "Am Zollgarten" car park near Kammerforst or from the "Fuchsfarm" car park directly at the "Brotzeit Fuchsfarm" snack bar and takes around 3 hours. Sturdy...
- 4.5 (13)·Easy·5.8 km·Est. 1.5–2 hrFamily-friendly circular hiking trail in the Hainich National Park, Thuringia The Hünenteich hiking trail is a certified quality trail in the Hainich National Park. Over a short distance, this circular hike gives an impressive impression of the varied and wild nature of the Hainich. You walk through unspoilt beech forests, which are under special protection as part of the Wartburg-Hainich UNESCO World Heritage region, and pass alder quarries and old orchards. Geological highlights such as...
- 4.5 (8)·Moderate·6.8 km·Est. 2–2.5 hrExciting, varied circular hiking trail in the Hainich National Park, Thuringia. This circular trail is one of four Thuringian primeval forest trails in the Hainich National Park and includes several climbs. Particularly in summer, you should be aware that there are longer hiking sections without shady trees. Geocaching fans will get their money's worth with the treasure hunt for a multi-cache on the topic of "UNESCO World Heritage Sites". Back in Hütscheroda, the hotel "Zum Herrenhaus", a...
- 4.6 (7)·Hard·20.4 km·Est. 5.5–6 hrPopular circular hiking trail on two well-known long-distance hiking trails This hike starts at the Weberstedt hiking car park. From here, the hike initially follows the route of the Hainichland Trail into the UNSECO World Heritage Site "Ancient Beech Forests of Germany". After a while, the route then turns off onto the Rennstieg before finally following the route of the Hainichland Trail again.
- 4.5 (7)·Moderate·7.4 km·Est. 2–2.5 hrWooded hiking trail in the Hainich National Park The Craulaer Kreuz hiking trail is dominated by tree species of the ravine forest, ash and maple. In spring, beautiful stands of early bloomers can be seen. The metres in altitude that have to be conquered on this hiking trail are well worth it. The route starts at the "Craulaer Kreuz" car park about 2 km west of Craula on the edge of the national park. The Hainichbaude, an excursion restaurant and national park partner, is also located here....
- 4.3 (5)·Moderate·9.8 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrOne of four "Thuringian Forest Paths" in the Hainich National Park On the Welterbepfad (world heritage trail), nature around the old beeches was able to develop largely free of human influences. The World Heritage Trail is a combination of the Sperbersgrundweg and the Craulaer Kreuz hiking trail. It follows the "UNESCO rhombus" symbol and begins at the "Craulaer Kreuz" hiking car park near Craula, directly at the Hainichbaude. On the way there is a 100-step wooden staircase to overcome. The...
- 3.9 (4)·Easy·1.6 km·Est. 0.5–1 hrTemporary hiking trail in the Hainich National Park This hiking trail offers fun for young and old. It shows the natural habitat of the wildcat and is a wonderful addition to a visit to the wildcat village of Hütscheroda. The route begins above the show enclosure in Hütscheroda, the so-called wildcat clearing, not far from the wildcat barn and follows the "wildcat tracks" hiking symbol. There is a slight incline between the wildcat barn and the wildcat clearing at the start of the hike. It...
- 4.5 (7)·Moderate·10.1 km·Est. 2.5–3 hrVaried circular route in the Hainich National Park, Thuringia The old beech forests of the national park are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and characterise this circular route just as much as chequer tree, field maple and oak. In spring, orchids bloom here and lilies of the valley, daphne and wild violets cover the forest floor beneath the beech trees. The trail crosses the Steingraben, sometimes passing dried-up streams that only carry water during heavy rain. With a bit of luck, a shepherd...
Visitor info
The National Park Centre at Thiemsburg Castle takes its visitors into the world of nature. Watch wildcats on the hunt, peer through the treetops or look under the fallen leaves - everything is possible. From April to October, the visitor centre is open daily from 10 am to 7 pm. Between November and March daily from 10 am to 4 pm.
Frequently asked questions
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Activities
Attractions
- Easy trails in Hainich National Park
- Forest trails in Hainich National Park
- Lake trails in Hainich National Park
- Long trails in Hainich National Park
- Moderate trails in Hainich National Park
- Short trails in Hainich National Park
- Trails with historic sites in Hainich National Park
- Trails with views in Hainich National Park
- Wildflower trails in Hainich National Park
- Wildlife trails in Hainich National Park