Rhön: Moorlands, Hiking Trails and Border History

The Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve spans Bavaria, Hesse and Thuringia. The Rhön offers a variety of hiking trails, protected moorlands, memorial sites along the former inner-German border and distinctive peaks. It is also known as the “Land of Open Horizons.” Which of these aspects you choose to focus on during your trip may shape your choice of activities.

Hiking from long-distance trails to day hikes

Certified as a Premium Trail by the German Hiking Institute, the “DER HOCHRHÖNER” hiking trail is 173 kilometres long and runs between Bad Kissingen and Bad Salzungen. There are more than 30 additional circular trails for day hikes, varying in length and difficulty. The Rhön Club organises an extensive programme of guided hikes every year throughout the Rhön hiking trail network. Educational and nature trails can be found throughout the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This gives you a choice of different types of hikes—from day loops to a longer route between two towns.

Raised bogs and protected nature

The Red Moor, a 314.7-hectare nature reserve, lies in the Hessian part of the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. A boardwalk leads across the moor from the NABU House to an observation tower. The Black Moor is one of the few largely unspoilt raised bogs in the High Rhön and the largest of them. It is also a strictly protected core zone of the biosphere reserve. The two moors offer different experiences: at the Red Moor, the boardwalk is part of the visitor facilities; the Black Moor is characterised by its raised-bog landscape and protected status.

Border history and archaeological traces

The Point Alpha memorial site includes preserved or partially reconstructed GDR border installations, as well as an information centre commemorating the border regime in the restricted zone. Near Geisa, numerous hiking routes follow the former border, known as the Green Belt. The Path of Hope consists of fourteen monumental sculptures along a 1.5-kilometre stretch of the former inner-German border. You can encounter the history of the border in different places, through preserved or reconstructed installations, along hiking routes and through sculptures.

The Milseburg also combines history with distinctive landmarks: a Celtic oppidum was built there around 2,500 years ago, and a rampart still remains. Since 2011, 27 hectares of the Milseburg have also been a core zone of the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. At the summit are a Baroque crucifixion group and a pilgrimage chapel. The Milseburg is accessible only on foot, so be sure to factor in the walk when planning your trip.

Peaks, starry skies and special places to visit

The Wasserkuppe is the highest elevation in Hesse and the Rhön and can be reached by car. It is a popular destination for glider pilots, model aircraft enthusiasts, paragliders, hikers and winter sports enthusiasts from across the region. This sets it apart from the Milseburg, which is accessible only on foot. Depending on your interests, the Wasserkuppe offers a focus on air sports, hiking or winter sports.

At the sky-viewing sites in the Rhön Star Park, visitors can explore the day and night sky and learn about light pollution. There is also an astronomical observation site on the Hohe Geba, at an altitude of around 740 metres above sea level. It has four platforms and is located in an area little affected by the light pollution of urban areas.

The 23-metre-high “Noah’s Sail” observation platform is located on Mount Ellenbogen in the heart of the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and offers panoramic views of the region. Check current access arrangements before you go. The “Rhönwald” experience park, with its “Arche-Rhön,” offers families a variety of play activities and hands-on experiences. As opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check the latest information before your visit.

Museums in Tann and regional traditions

The Rhön Open-Air Museum in Tann (Rhön) preserves regional traditions and architecture. Three farmsteads show how the Rhön’s ancestors lived 200 to 250 years ago. The Natural History Museum offers a different perspective on the region: in 26 dioramas, it presents typical landscapes and the characteristic flora and fauna of the Rhön UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The SteinReich displays numerous mineral and fossil finds, most of them from the Rhön. The Old Forge contains a hearth and numerous old tools and machines once used for shoeing horses and other smithing work. Together, these collections showcase the landscape and nature, as well as crafts and former ways of life.

Discover more destinations: Augsburg, Dingolfing-Landau, Coburg, Eichstätt, Upper Bavaria, Wendelstein, Lichtenfels, Haßberge.

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