Discover Wildeck: Nature and History

Wildeck can be explored from two different perspectives: the Rhäden Nature Reserve offers opportunities for observing nature, while historic trails and sites put the area’s history in the spotlight. When choosing your outings, you can first decide whether you prefer a longer circular route through a protected area or stops with a historical theme.

Nature in the Rhäden Nature Reserve

The Rhäden Nature Reserve lies within the municipality of Wildeck and extends into Werra-Suhl-Tal in Thuringia. It is an important habitat for threatened and endangered bird species, as well as other animals and plants. The approximately eight-kilometre Rhäden Circular Trail runs through the reserve and can be covered on foot or by bicycle. Four viewing platforms are part of the route. Free telescopes are available at the observation stands along the trail; public parking is located at the edge of the protected area. In the wider Hersfeld-Rotenburg destination, the Rhäden Nature Reserve is also part of the Green Belt Germany biotope network.

Historic sites in the Wildecker Valley

The Wildecker Valley was once known as “Hessian Sanssouci” because of its former castle and parkland. The valley is also home to the historic Inselteich pond and a 22-metre-high sandstone obelisk. In the forest above the Wildecker Valley near Raßdorf lies the Blumenstein castle site; a section of the moat and cellar walls remain from the medieval castle.

Trails, border history and route choices

The border education trail in Wildeck also offers insights into history. The approximately one-kilometre trail illustrates the stages in the development of the border fortifications; former border installations can be visited there. The “Historic Wildecker Valley” circular trail interprets the history of the valley and its historic stops.

To help choose a route, compare the approximate distances: the Rhäden Circular Trail is about eight kilometres long, while the border education trail is around one kilometre. Their focus also differs: the longer loop centres on the nature reserve, while the shorter border trail focuses on border history.

Events and the wider regional context

The annual Richelsdorf Horse Riding and Show Jumping Festival adds another highlight: traditionally held at Pentecost, it attracts visitors from all over Germany. As the exact event dates and programme may change, check the details for your chosen year before travelling.

In the wider Hersfeld-Rotenburg destination, the Bad Hersfeld Festival has been held annually in the collegiate church ruins since 1951. The ruins are considered the largest Romanesque church ruins in the world. Also in Bad Hersfeld, the Lullus Festival has been celebrated every year since 852 without interruption, during the week of 16 October, in honour of the town’s founder, Lullus. Nentershausen also hosts a castle festival every year on the first weekend in October, featuring more than 600 performers; check the exact dates each year. Tannenberg Castle in Nentershausen was built around 1300 by Ludwig I of Baumbach and was a fief castle of Hersfeld Abbey.

Over the course of the year, the traditional Pentecost date of the Richelsdorf festival and the October week of the Lullus Festival are clearly far apart.

Discover more destinations: Obersuhl, Niederaula, Cornberg, Friedewald, Ronshausen, Bebra, Nentershausen, Rotenburg.

Go to the wider travel overview: Hersfeld-Rotenburg.