Wahlhausen on the German Fairy Tale Route
Accommodation in Wahlhausen
Wahlhausen lies on the border between Thuringia and Hesse, in the immediate vicinity of the spa town of Bad Sooden-Allendorf. The German Fairy Tale Route passes through the town. This gives the small town two concrete points of reference for planning a trip: its location on the border and the route through it. There is also a tour that starts and ends here, as well as boat access and exit points for the Werra waterway.
River Werra in Wahlhausen, district Eichsfeld, Thuringia 02
Photo: Nemracc via Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
Route, tour and waterway
The tour “Beavers and stories - Discover beaver traces, learn about border history” starts and ends at the car park by the church in Wahlhausen. Its title alone brings together two themes: discovering beaver traces and learning about the history of the border. Having the same start and end point makes the tour’s connection to the town concrete.
On the Werra waterway between Wahlhausen and Witzenhausen, boats can be put in and taken out in Wahlhausen at Camping Oase and by the church. If you are planning a boat trip, check the operating conditions at these access points before you travel.
Choose your base according to your travel plans
When looking for a holiday apartment in Wahlhausen, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on. The German Fairy Tale Route provides a route through the town; the named tour starts and ends at the car park by the church; and the waterway has two specified boat access and exit points. These differences help you tailor your trip to the type of activity you want, rather than treating all the options as the same kind of excursion.
Castles, trails and culture in the Eichsfeld
The wider Eichsfeld travel region offers other places with their own themes to help you plan your trip. Bodenstein Castle in Leinefelde-Worbis was first mentioned in a document in 1098 and stands on a mountain spur of the Ohmgebirge. Tours about the history of the former castle lords of Wintzingerode are regularly offered at the castle; it is also possible to visit the small chapel with its baptismal angel. Check the current dates in advance if you would like to join a tour.
In Heilbad Heiligenstadt, the Eichsfeld Museum in the Baroque Jesuit college provides information across three floors about the history, culture, religious life and folklore of the Eichsfeld. The Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt offer a different regional perspective: they are designated for extensive hikes on certified TOP hiking trails. The wider Eichsfeld region therefore offers both cultural attractions and longer hikes, while these remain distinct destinations and activities.
The viewpoints at the castles also offer different perspectives. Scharfenstein Castle has a viewing point on the terrace and a 20-metre-high tower completed in 2016. From there, the panoramic view extends across the upper Leine Valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohmgebirge and the eastern Dün; on a clear day, it reaches as far as the Harz Mountains. The accessible west tower of Hanstein Castle ruins offers a sweeping panoramic view over the Eichsfeld and the surrounding forests in clear weather. In good visibility, the view reaches as far as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains; visitors can also explore the extensive remains of the castle ruins.
Every year on Easter Monday in Dingelstädt, the Steckenpferd-Reiten (hobby-horse riding) takes place around St. Mary's Church. Preschool children ride wooden hobby horses decorated with little bells and colourful ribbons. In Duderstadt, the medieval ramparts are fully preserved and invite visitors to stroll beneath old lime and chestnut trees. Historic half-timbered houses and architectural features can also be found in Dingelstädt, Heilbad Heiligenstadt and Leinefelde-Worbis. Air-dried Eichsfeld sausage is considered a regional speciality and is also known beyond the Eichsfeld region.
Discover more destinations: Teistungen, Haynrode, Mackenrode, Leinefelde-Worbis, Sonnenstein, Lutter, Büttstedt, Volkerode.
See the wider travel overview: Eichsfeld.
