Unstrut-Hainich: Nature, Views and History

Experience Hainich from different heights

In the national park, the Betteleichenweg trail passes cultural and historical highlights such as the Ihlefelder Kreuz, the Eiserne Hand and Ihlefeld. In spring, it winds through flowering patches of wild garlic and fumewort. The route thus combines specific cultural and historical stops with a seasonal display of plants. If you are interested in nature and history, this contrast offers a distinctive perspective on Hainich.

On the treetop path, you can walk 24 meters above the Hainich canopy; from the treehouse, the view extends across Hainich National Park. The tree tower offers another perspective: if you have a head for heights, you can climb to a platform 40 meters up. From there, the view stretches across Hainich to the Thuringian Basin. The two height measurements refer to different parts of the experience—the path and the tower platform—and help you distinguish between the viewpoints.

The treetop path starts 200 meters from the Thiemsburg National Park Center. The center has a large hiking car park, a restaurant, restrooms and a public transport bus stop. Its exhibition presents information through films, large-format picture walls, interactive stations and hands-on exhibits. The center also offers a fully accessible media guide; tablets and headphones are available to borrow. Check the latest information about the facilities before setting out.

The Erlebnis-Draisine offers a different perspective on the landscape: Route 1 crosses the Lengenfeld Viaduct. The structure is 244 meters long, 24 meters high and has eight arches. If you plan to take this ride, check the route’s current availability in advance.

Thuringia as a whole also has a connection to nature: Hainich was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List in 2011 as part of Germany’s ancient beech forests.

Gardens and the history of pharmacy in Bad Langensalza

Two gardens in Bad Langensalza offer different botanical highlights. The Rose Garden showcases almost 450 species and varieties of roses on the site of a former factory covering 18,000 square meters. At the Botanical Garden, you can see rare cacti and yuccas from South America. The rose collection and the South American plants appeal to different interests in garden culture and the plant world.

The history of pharmacy is another theme in Bad Langensalza. The Thuringian Pharmacy Museum in Haus Rosenthal presents this history across 276 square meters, covering the period from the 18th to the 20th century. This clearly defined historical focus complements visits to the gardens with an insight into the history of pharmacy.

Urban history, archaeology and crafts

Mühlhausen offers several specific ways to explore medieval urban history. The town has eleven medieval churches and a surviving inner city wall ring with numerous defensive towers. To this day, 2.2 kilometers of Mühlhausen’s oldest inner city wall remain. The Rabenturm offers another viewpoint: its platform is 34.2 meters high and provides panoramic views over Mühlhausen and the surrounding area.

The small museum at Opfermoor Vogtei focuses on archaeological finds. It displays original finds from excavations at the settlement and sacred site. The Ropemakers’ Museum, by contrast, focuses on the traditional rope-making craft of Schlotheim: it preserves a landmark of this craft in a faithfully reconstructed rope-making track. Archaeology and craftsmanship thus offer two very different ways to explore the region’s history.

Choose the right base

Then choose your base according to the places you actually plan to visit. This way, your search reflects your travel interests without assuming that one location will be equally suitable for every outing.

Discover more destinations

Kammerforst, Mühlhausen/Thuringia, Heyerode, Dachrieden, Blankenburg, Schönstedt, Anrode, Herbsleben, Weinbergen, Niederdorla, Bad Tennstedt, Bad Langensalza, Großvargula, Kutzleben, Schlotheim, Südeichsfeld, Altengottern, Obermehler, Oppershausen, Weberstedt, Sundhausen, Rodeberg, Unstruttal, Flarchheim, Vogtei, Großengottern, Menteroda, Körner

For the main travel overview: Thuringia.