Fischbach an der Felda: Nature and Half-Timbered Houses

Fischbach lies on the right bank of the Felda between the Rhön Mountains. The Sommertal core zone is located above Fischbach, a district of Kaltennordheim. The river, mountain scenery and protected area offer different ways to connect with nature during a stay where hiking and discovery go hand in hand.

The Witch’s Trail through Fischbach’s Cultural Landscape

The Witch’s Trail leads through Fischbach’s varied countryside, past traditional sheep-grazing areas and beneath ancient giant trees. It is about 5.8 kilometres long and can be shortened to circular routes of 4 or 2 kilometres if needed. This lets you choose a route length that suits your plans for the day, without assuming a specific walking time.

The trail’s stops also offer insight into the landscape: information boards and installations share interesting facts about the Rhön cultural landscape, its preservation through landscape management, and the importance of grazing for flora and fauna. Twenty additional profile boards introduce children and adults to rare animal and plant species from different habitats, with brief descriptions. Experiencing nature and learning about landscape management are part of the same trail here.

Half-Timbered Houses and History in Fischbach

Fischbach was first mentioned in a document in 837. The village has several listed half-timbered houses worth seeing. They add a glimpse of Fischbach’s architectural heritage to the surrounding landscape, making the village interesting for travellers who want to explore some history as well as go hiking.

Accommodation and an Offer Available on Request

The “Schule im Grünen” country school hostel has six dormitories and shared rooms, with a total of 50 beds on two floors. It caters to school classes, families and groups of ten or more, for example for children’s birthday parties, family celebrations or company outings. Overnight accommodation is also available for hikers and holidaymakers. As capacity and packages may change, please confirm them directly with the operator before booking.

At the country school hostel, you can request hikes accompanied by llamas and alpacas. Possible destinations include the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve information centre in Zella or the Ibengarten, where you can follow in the footsteps of the Rhönpaulus. This accompaniment is offered by the country school hostel and is available on request.

Churches, Museum and Market in Kaltennordheim

Kaltennordheim itself also offers historical and cultural attractions. St Kilian’s Church was built in the 14th century to replace a wooden church; St Nicholas’s Church was built in 1597 as the second and larger church within the town. On request, the “Auf alten Spuren” (“Following Old Paths”) guided tour takes visitors to St Kilian’s Church, through the historic old town and to the surviving town wall, among other places.

The local history museum is located in the Merlinsburg building. Its museum barn displays historic agricultural tools and scenes from rural daily life, including baking, milk processing and food storage. In the reconstructed schoolroom, visitors can write on slate boards with slate pencils. The palace area is currently being renovated and is not open to visitors. The administrative building was constructed on the site of the former Merlinsburg between 1752 and 1754.

The “Heiratsmarkt” takes place in Kaltennordheim every year at Pentecost and was first held in 1563. In the 19th century, it developed into a folk festival in the Thuringian Rhön. As the exact date varies with Pentecost, it is worth checking the event date before your trip.

Hiking Routes for Different Day-Trip Options

The Witch’s Trail lets you choose between about 5.8 kilometres and shorter circular routes of 4 or 2 kilometres. In Kaltennordheim, the Kaltennordheim Rhön Circular Route 1 starts, among other places, at the town hall: it is 11.0 kilometres long, takes about four hours and is rated easy to moderate. Kaltennordheim Rhön Circular Route 2 also starts at the town hall, initially following the Felda through the town and passing partly through the approximately 50-hectare Große Hardt nature reserve. You can therefore choose between a route with a specified distance, duration and difficulty, and a route that passes through the town and protected area.

When choosing where to search, it helps to consider what you want to focus on: Fischbach offers attractions related to the Witch’s Trail, the landscape and half-timbered houses; in Kaltennordheim, the main attractions include churches, the local history museum, the market and the circular routes that start there. Search for a holiday apartment based on which of these places and experiences you would like to make the focus of your stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Wolfsburg-Unkeroda, Schleid, Urnshausen, Zella, Witzelroda, Tiefenort, Merkers-Kieselbach, Barchfeld-Immelborn.

Back to the main travel overview: Wartburg.