Oberaula – Hiking, Cycling and Cultural Heritage

Oberaula combines a landscape of valleys and wooded heights with opportunities for hiking and cycling. Cultural history is also part of the local character. If you are planning a stay, you will find guidance here on the landscapes, trails and sights that define Oberaula.

A Landscape Between the Valley and the Knüll Mountains

Oberaula lies in a basin surrounded by hilly and rocky landscapes. The Aulatal and its side valleys define the area; wooded mountains of the Knüll range, rising to elevations of 500 to 600 metres, lie all around. The local landscape thus brings together valleys and wooded heights.

The Oberaula area also includes three small streams: Garteröder Wasser, Ostern and Hauser. Their names add to the picture of a valley-shaped region, without requiring you to plan a particular tour.

Hiking on Short Stages or for a Full Day

Oberaula has a well-marked and signposted network of hiking trails. It is suitable for both short stages and longer day hikes. Extensive map material can help you plan an individual route and choose the duration of your hike.

The hiking landscape is characterised by gentle slopes, broad valleys, forests and views of nature. One specific circular route in the municipality is the 8.6-kilometre Olberöder hiking trail. It is easy to walk in either direction and does not require any particular level of fitness. Numerous benches are located along the clearly marked trail.

Cycle Path and Leisure Facilities

The Rotkäppchenland Railway Cycle Path runs through Oberaula and passes directly by the town. It was laid out on a former railway line. Its moderate gradients make it suitable for family-friendly cycling. Hiking and cycling thus offer different ways to experience Oberaula’s landscape.

Leisure facilities in the municipality include a reservoir with recreation facilities, a water-treading pool and a forest fitness trail. There is also a picturesque barbecue area with a shelter. These facilities complement the hiking and cycling trails with further leisure options in the municipality.

Cultural History in Oberaula

The Jewish cemetery lies at the exit from Oberaula in the direction of Kirchheim. Its valuable gravestones bear witness to the once large Jewish community. The cemetery is therefore an important testimony to the town’s history. A restored organ is also one of Oberaula’s cultural and historical sights.

Oberaula in the Schwalm-Eder District

The wider travel destination of Schwalm-Eder District encompasses the upland landscapes around Knüll, Kellerwald and Habichtswald. This regional context complements the local view of the Aulatal and the heights of the Knüll Mountains, without equating the district’s landscapes with Oberaula’s own features.

The museums in Schwalm-Eder District also showcase different aspects of the region’s cultural history. The Malerstübchen Museum in Willingshausen conveys the art history of the 19th and 20th centuries and displays paintings featuring motifs of Schwalm traditional dress. The Schwalm Museum in Schwalmstadt-Ziegenhain presents ceramics and pottery traditionally used in the region in a reconstructed pottery workshop. It also houses a large model of the Ziegenhain water fortress, showing its condition in 1761 after it was shelled during the Seven Years’ War.

Discover more destinations: Olberode, Schwalmstadt, Guxhagen, Melsungen, Schrecksbach, Niedenstein, Ottrau, Wabern

For the wider travel overview: Schwalm-Eder District.