Schotten: Volcanic History, Niddastausee Reservoir and Half-Timbered Houses

Niddastausee Reservoir and trails by the water

The 65-hectare Niddastausee Reservoir is located where the Nidda is dammed at the southern edge of Schotten. The area is used for local recreation. A 5 km paved circular trail runs around the reservoir and is suitable for inline skating, cycling, skating and leisurely walks. Its fixed length makes the trail a clearly defined way to include some exercise in your stay; you can choose whether to explore it on foot, on skates or by bike, according to your own preferences.

Facilities at Niddastausee Reservoir also include boat rentals, a surfing and sailing school, a large children’s playground and sunbathing lawns. The reservoir therefore offers a range of ways to enjoy a stay by the water.

Volcanism, half-timbered houses and history

The Vulkaneum in Schotten explores volcanism and explains how volcanoes shaped the Vogelsberg and continue to influence it today. Experiment stations, interactive exhibits and multimedia installations guide visitors through the exhibition. Those interested in natural history will find a different way to explore the Vogelsberg here than on a walk by the reservoir. The Vulkaneum can be reached by public transport from the train stations in Nidda, Lich, Lauterbach and Gießen. A bus from there goes to the “Vulkaneum” stop; the entrance is about 50 m from the stop.

Schotten’s architectural history is also on display. The local history museum is housed in the former residence of Dr. Karl Weber, a Hessian state councillor, in a stately half-timbered building dating from 1816. The interior was redesigned in the Art Nouveau style in 1908. Another way to explore the town’s history is the historic town trail: it includes 29 stops with information about old half-timbered houses and their history, and can be explored independently.

The Liebfrauenkirche is a Gothic church built between 1350 and 1385. Among its notable historic works is the winged altarpiece, painted by the “Master of Schotten” around 1385. It depicts scenes from the life of Mary and includes, among other things, Hebrew characters and Jewish symbols. The altarpiece is considered one of the earliest records of Jewish life in the Vogelsberg. The Alteburgpark is also located near the historic old town. At the heart of the park is a half-timbered building from the 16th century, surrounded by a moat fed by the Nidda.

Things to do in Schotten and the surrounding area

Schotten’s animal and adventure park covers 40,000 m² and is home to more than 60 animal species from around the world. A sensory park with a barefoot trail and a fragrance garden is part of the park. The wildlife and sensory experiences offer different highlights and can be considered as separate interests when planning shared days out.

Nearby, the treetop trail is located on the Hoherodskopf. Rope bridges attached directly to the trees connect the tree platforms, offering views over the Vogelsberg’s rolling landscape. Two GPS activities with different routes and tasks also start and finish at the Hoherodskopf information centre. GeoCaching is 5 km long, suitable from Year 3 onwards and takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. The GeoRallye covers 8 km and features questions and tasks about the environment, nature and technology; it takes about 3 to 3.5 hours and can also be completed by mountain bike. The fee is €10.00 per GPS device for GeoCaching and €12.00 per GPS device for the GeoRallye. Each GPS device is intended for a maximum of four people.

For more town pages: Betzenrod, Michelbach, Gemünden, Homberg, Antrifttal, Lautertal, Herbstein and Grebenhain.

For the regional travel overview: Vogelsberg.