Schlitz: Vulkanradweg, Hinterturm and Distillery

Schlitz offers striking architectural history, a 93-kilometer cycle route and a distillery with a long tradition. As you plan your holiday, consider which of these experiences you want to shape your trip: the cycling route, historic buildings or distilling heritage. This also gives your search for a holiday apartment in Schlitz a specific focus, without requiring you to settle on just one theme.

Cycling the Vulkanradweg

The 93-kilometer Vulkanradweg begins or ends in Schlitz. It follows the route of a former railway line, connecting a present-day cycling route with the railway line’s former use. Schlitz can serve as a starting or finishing point for your tour; which section you ride is up to your travel plans.

Cyclists also have another option: the Vogelsberger Vulkan-Express transports bicycles free of charge to the Hoherodskopf, from where you can ride downhill along the Vulkanradweg. This gives you two different starting points to consider: Schlitz, at either end of the 93-kilometer route, and the Hoherodskopf for the downhill ride. If cycling is to be a central part of your holiday, you can take these details into account when choosing accommodation in Schlitz.

Historic buildings and a special Advent display

The Hinterturm is a 36-meter-high keep dating from the 14th century. From here, you can enjoy views across the Schlitzerland. On certain days, the viewing point is accessible by elevator. Its history, the views and the limited availability of the elevator give the tower several different dimensions: it is a historic building as well as a viewing point whose accessibility depends on the day.

During Advent, the keep of the Hinterburg takes on a special appearance. Since 1991, red fabric panels have transformed it into the 42-meter-high Schlitzer Kerze on every Advent weekend. It shines above the historic market square and is considered the world’s largest Christmas candle. This seasonal display makes a visit during Advent different from a general exploration of the tower’s history.

Schloss Hallenburg also tells part of Schlitz’s history. It was once the castle and residence of the Counts of Schlitz. Between 1706 and 1712, it was redesigned according to plans by the French architect Louis Remy de la Fosse as a new late Baroque palace with a mansard roof. The Schlitzer Burgmuseum is located in the Vorderburg. Schloss Hallenburg and the castle museum offer different ways to explore the town’s architectural history and past.

Distilling heritage and tastings

The Schlitzer Distillery has a distilling tradition dating back to 1585. Its approximately two-hour experience tour takes you through all three distilleries and into the historic whisky warehouse. It costs 15 euros per person and includes a tasting of Milden Schlitzern, classic fruit brandies, fruit and herbal liqueurs, and a premium product. The tour offers a clearly defined introduction to a range of the distillery’s products and makes a good standalone activity for travelers interested in discovering the region’s distilling heritage.

In the Whisky Lounge, single malt, single grain and wheat malt are tasted side by side. The tasting also includes whisky liqueur and selected cask-strength whiskies. Anyone with a particular interest in whisky can consider this comparison a distinct aspect of the distillery; the experience tour, meanwhile, also covers all three distilleries and the historic warehouse.

Plan your trip around your interests

For a stay focused on cycling, the Vulkanradweg and the downhill ride from the Hoherodskopf are useful points of reference. Those more interested in history will find several specific topics to explore, including the Hinterturm, Schloss Hallenburg and the castle museum. If you want to see the Schlitzer Kerze, Advent is the time to visit; the distillery adds distilling history and tastings to the mix. These different interests can help you shape your trip and search for a holiday apartment around the kind of holiday you want, without assuming any particular accommodation features.

A printable version of the historic walking tour of Schlitz is available in German and English. This is another way to explore the town if you would like to include a walk in your plans. For further orientation, you can also find Bernshausen, Homberg, Schotten, Kirtorf, Herbstein, Alsfeld, Lauterbach and Wartenberg.

For the broader travel overview: Vogelsberg.