Eichsfeld: Castles, Hiking Trails and Traditions

Castles: History and Views

Bodenstein Castle was first mentioned in a written record in 1098 and stands on a mountain spur in the Ohm Mountains. Regular guided tours at the castle explore the history of its former lords, the von Wintzingerode family. Visitors can also see the small chapel with its baptismal angel. If you plan to join a tour, check the current schedule in advance.

Scharfenstein Castle has a viewing point on its terrace and a tower completed in 2016. Standing 20 metres tall, it offers sweeping panoramic views of the upper Leine Valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohm Mountains and the eastern Dün hills. On a clear day, the view reaches as far as the Harz Mountains. Visitors can also explore the extensive remains of Hanstein Castle ruins. Its accessible west tower offers wide-ranging panoramic views of Eichsfeld and the surrounding forests in clear weather; on a day with excellent visibility, the view reaches as far as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains.

On Foot and by Bike

The Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt provide excellent opportunities for longer hikes on certified TOP hiking trails. Leinefelde is a useful starting point for a cycling tour: the Leine-Heide Cycle Route begins there and runs all the way to Hamburg. The hiking options on the Dün and Iberg and the long-distance cycle route offer different perspectives for planning your trip.

Town walks and architecture are also among the options. Duderstadt’s medieval ramparts are fully intact and invite visitors to stroll beneath old lime and chestnut trees. Historic half-timbered houses and architectural highlights can also be found in Dingelstädt, Heilbad Heiligenstadt and Leinefelde-Worbis. Together with open fields and natural monuments, these attractions showcase the variety of the landscape and its towns.

Traditions and Museums

Every Easter Monday, the Steckenpferd-Reiten (hobbyhorse riding) takes place around St. Mary’s Church in Dingelstädt. Preschool children ride wooden hobbyhorses decorated with bells and colourful ribbons. A procession has been held in Heilbad Heiligenstadt every Palm Sunday for more than 400 years. Life-size figures depict the Passion of Christ; since 2017, the procession has been included in Germany’s nationwide register of intangible cultural heritage. The two customs mark different points in the calendar year.

The Eichsfeld Museum is housed in Heilbad Heiligenstadt’s Baroque Jesuit college. Across three floors, it explores the history, culture, religious life and folklore of Eichsfeld. At the Eichsfeld Borderland Museum, a circular walking trail featuring original checkpoint buildings, vehicle barriers and signal fences brings the character of the former GDR border to life.

Regional Specialties

Air-dried sausage is considered a regional specialty of Eichsfeld and is known beyond the region’s borders. At Scharfenstein Castle, visitors can learn how the whisky served there is blended, mashed and fermented according to a house recipe. It is then aged for three years in selected oak barrels and can be sampled at a whisky tasting. If you plan to attend a tasting, check the booking details in advance.

Discover more destinations: Küllstedt, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Teistungen, Uder, Kirchworbis, Kleinbartloff, Schönhagen, Gernrode, Berlingerode, Volkerode, Martinfeld, Breitenworbis, Niederorschel, Leinefelde-Worbis, Asbach-Sickenberg, Am Ohmberg, Marth, Bornhagen, Buhla, Haynrode, Deuna, Wachstedt, Dingelstädt, Geismar, Bodenrode-Westhausen, Schimberg, Hohengandern, Lutter, Wahlhausen, Sonnenstein, Helmsdorf, Lindewerra, Büttstedt, Mackenrode.

For the overview of the wider region: Thuringia.