Best hard trails in Habichtswald Nature Park
The Habichtswald Nature Park is located in the north of the Hessian Highlands. It delights visitors with its small half-timbered villages, diverse landscape and cultural and historical sights. A particular highlight is the Habichtswaldsteig premium hiking trail, which runs through the entire park. There are also many castles and castle ruins to discover.
The park was founded in 1962 and extends to the west of the city of Kassel. It is home to Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe, which is internationally renowned.
Top trails
- 4.9 (6)·Hard·14.8 mi·Est. 7.5–8 hrSection of the certified long-distance hiking trail Habichtswaldsteig, Hesse. This 1st stage starts at the historic market square in Zierenberg. It heads in a southerly direction to Schneckenberg. Sure-footedness is required because of the crossing of a basalt debris field ( "Blaue Steine" -"blue stones"). From the Schreckenberg tower, a fantastic view of the Habichtswald forest can be enjoyed. Through mixed forests and the largest juniper heath in Europe, the tour is a real experience -...
- 4.8 (13)·Hard·9.8 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hrPopular premium hiking trail in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. This route is part of the Habichtswald extra tours and is a certified premium hiking trail that begins in the idyllic half-timbered town of Naumburg. You walk through a beautiful cultural landscape along the edges of the forest. A special highlight is the Weidelsburg, the ruins of which offer an excellent view. A red circle with a white "H8" symbol shows the way. If you arrive by bus or train, take line 52 from Kassel...
- 5.0 (6)·Hard·11.1 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrIdyllic, certified premium hiking trail in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. This Habichtswaldsteig extra tour has been recognised by the German Hiking Institute. In addition to panoramic heights, there are wonderful heathland passages, beautiful forest and other geological features to discover. A white "H2" symbol ensures that hikers stay on the right path and narrow trails. Both Zierenberg and Dörnberg are ideal starting points for this circular trail. The Bergcafe Friedrichstein is...
- 4.7 (3)·Hard·13.2 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hrPremium hiking trail and section of the Habichtswaldsteig, Hesse The last section of the certified premium hiking trail goes over humming meadows, past orchards with 100 apple varieties, through beech forests and past streams and ponds. Highlights: - "Herrensteine" - Waldeck with castle - Devil's pulpit - Aquapark and animal park
- 4.0 (2)·Hard·4.7 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular hike in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. A picturesque nature reserve, a UNESCO World Heritage site and good public transport connections - this hike offers all this and more. This trail is located in the south-west of Kassel and connects the Dönche nature reserve with the Hercules monument in Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe. The route consists of forest paths, gravel paths and sections with uneven ground. The nature reserve is characterized by hilly terrain, while the ascent to the...
- 4.5 (5)·Hard·11.6 mi·Est. 5.5–6.5 hrSection of the "Habichtswaldsteig" premium hiking trail, Hesse. A fairytale route through forests and across fields, accompanied time and again by magnificent views of the surrounding valleys. Hikers with a particular interest in history will get their money's worth here: Schauenburg Castle and several other ruins are located along the way. At the destination in Bad Emstal, there are refreshment stops and the "Bad Emstal -Sand" railway station, so that the journey can be continued by...
- 4.7 (2)·Hard·11.7 mi·Est. 5.5–6.5 hrPopular hike in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. There is a first highlight right at the beginning of the stage: the Bergpark Wilhemshöhe and the UNESCO World Heritage Site with Hercules, Löwenburg and water features (every Wednesday and Sunday at 2:30 p.m. from May to October). A detour is worth it! Accompanied by great views over the Habichtswald, you hike on to the idyllic Silbersee with a rest area and even a campground. After crossing the road (attention!) you will soon reach the...
- 5.0 (2)·Hard·27.7 mi·Est. 12–13.5 hrChallenging mountain bike tour in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. This beautiful MTB tour, which is quite strenuous at just under 45 km and a few metres in altitude, starts at the Hirzstein hiking car park near Elgershausen to the west of Kassel and leads over the Bachberg and past the Habichtspiel. As the bikes have to be lifted a few times, the route is less suitable for e-mountainbikes. As there are also people on foot along the way, you should be considerate of each other along the...
- 4.8 (3)·Hard·14.4 mi·Est. 7–7.5 hrPremium hiking trail and section of the Habichtswaldsteig, Hesse The third stage of the certified premium hiking trail goes past historic quarries, a museum railway, through stream valleys and over open meadows. Again and again you have beautiful views of the landscape, you can have a picnic at fairytale resting places. Sometimes it goes downhill a little steeper over serpentines, you should bring surefootedness. Highlights: - Fairytale resting place "Himmelsschaukel" - Bildstein rock
- 5.0 (2)·Hard·10.8 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hrPopular circular hike in the Habichtswald Nature Park, Hesse. This hike in the Habichtswald nature park enchants with a fairytale-like and varied landscape. You climb several hills and walk through pretty forest and extensive fields. The route is made for autumn. Very beautiful in every season, but especially enchanting in autumn, as the leaves of the trees shine in all colors. Highlights of the hike: - Zierenberger Kuppe - Helfensteine - Weimar - Detour to Hangarsteinsee (optional)
Visitor info
The Habichtswald Nature Park Center provides lots of information about nature and is an ideal starting point for many hikes. It is located in the middle of the Dörnberg nature reserve and is open daily from 10 am to 5 pm, except on Mondays. Admission is free.
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