Welterbeweg

One 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 first distinctive point on the hiking trail to the World Natural Heritage Site is a stone cross, the Craula Cross, which presumably commemorates someone who had an accident at this point. From here you can see far into the Thuringian Basin and up to the crest of the Thuringian Forest. The path quickly plunges into the forest and winds through a beech forest where nature is allowed to rule alone. Old beeches remain standing, of course they can age and die. All around, young growth fights for the best places in the sun. In early summer, the smell of wild garlic wafts through the forest. As soon as the path meets the developed path, deep insights into the emerging wilderness open up. The natural dynamic of growth and decay is omnipresent. In spring, carpets of flowers cover the forest floor. After turning at Gänserasen, the path follows the bottom of the Long Valley, where fallen and decaying giant trees give an impression of primeval forest. Soon it is time to branch off onto the Sperbersgrundweg and climb a 100-step wooden staircase up a shell limestone slope, past lying and standing deadwood, which is populated by tinder fungus and is full of life. The beech forest on the shell limestone ridge becomes a bit more bizarre with some crooked tree shapes, until finally the path meets the open land of the former military training area and leaves the World Natural Heritage area. From here, a detour to the "Wartburgblick" is worthwhile. From here you have a wide view of the reforested areas of the Kindel, of the mountains of the Thuringian Forest and of course of the Wartburg. Back again, you hike straight on and soon reach the edge of the forest with a view over Meadows and fields to Craula and further into the Thuringian Basin. The path leads to the left, past the Turner bench, picnic area and fireplace, back to the Craulaer Kreuz. Highlights of the hike: - Stone Cross (Craulaer Cross) - View over the Thuringian Basin - 100-step wooden staircase - Wartburg view