Schimberg: Hiking and Architectural History in Martinfeld
Accommodation in Schimberg
Two specific themes stand out for a trip to Schimberg: hiking and architectural history. The TOP-Wanderweg Westerwald begins and ends in Martinfeld; the village is also home to the GrabenmĂĽhle, the Catholic Church of St. Ursula and Companions, and Martinfeld Castle.
Hiking the TOP-Wanderweg Westerwald
The TOP-Wanderweg Westerwald is a circular hiking trail that begins and ends at the hikers’ car park by Landhaus Westerwald in Martinfeld. Along the way, it passes the Martinfelder Fenster and Ershäuser Fenster viewpoints and bubbling streams, such as the calcareous sinter springs in Wagental. This means the same route offers two distinct features: viewpoints and waterways. If you choose your hike by theme, the named windows provide orientation for looking out over the landscape, while the calcareous sinter springs give the waterways along the route a specific name. Check the current trail conditions before setting out.
Historic buildings in Martinfeld
The buildings in Martinfeld represent different functions and periods. The GrabenmĂĽhle is a surviving water-powered mill dating from the 16th century. The Catholic Church of St. Ursula and Companions was built in 1723; Martinfeld Castle was built in 1611 as a manor house. The mill, Catholic church, and manor house thus offer three different cultural and historical perspectives. The buildings also differ in age: the mill dates from the 16th century, while the castle and church date from the 17th and 18th centuries, respectively.
One type of accommodation in Martinfeld
Martinfeld Castle is also offered as a self-catering hostel for individual travelers and groups. Check the current booking details before making specific plans, as they may change.
More themes in the wider Eichsfeld destination
The wider Eichsfeld destination offers its own distinct regional themes. Bodenstein Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1098 and stands on a mountain spur of the Ohmgebirge range. Regular guided tours there explore the history of the former lords of the castle, the von Wintzingerode family; visitors can also visit the small chapel with its baptismal angel. Check for suitable tour dates before making specific plans.
The Eichsfeld Museum, housed in the Baroque Jesuit college in Heilbad Heiligenstadt, presents the history, culture, religious life, and folklore of Eichsfeld across three floors. The Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt offer excellent conditions for long hikes on certified TOP-Wanderwege trails. The regional overview also includes castles, historic towns, wide fields, natural monuments, and cycling and hiking trails; air-dried sausage is considered a specialty of Eichsfeld. When planning your trip, you can distinguish local themes in Martinfeld from the distinct cultural, natural, and culinary themes of the wider Eichsfeld destination. Regional traditions also include the annual hobbyhorse ride on Easter Monday in Dingelstädt: preschool children ride wooden horses decorated with little bells and colorful ribbons around St. Mary’s Church.
Discover more destinations: BĂĽttstedt, Hohengandern, Bornhagen, Geismar, Kirchworbis, Kleinbartloff, Bodenrode-Westhausen, Martinfeld
Return to the wider travel overview: Eichsfeld.
