Die Rhön, Deutschland – Nature and Villages
Die Rhön is a vast area of low mountains located in the central region of Germany. The mountains here are a result of volcanic activity, although no active volcanoes remain today, the hills are remnants of old volcanoes. Die Rhön is a fairly large area and can be found where the three German States of Bavaria, Hesse, and Thuringia meet. The Wasserkuppe is the highest point in Die Rhön at 950 meters. Not only is Die Rhön popular for its hills and volcanic landscape, but there are beautiful meadows, large forests, and even marshes. Because of the unique landscape, Die Rhön was listed as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1991. This area is popular amongst locals for its tremendous hiking trails, hütten (huts), and many other activities.
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Simple, Die Rhön is just beautiful! The area is full of nature and small German villages. People come to this area to enjoy nature and hiking. There are several areas in Die Rhön to include the Wasserkuppe, Kreuzberg, and Schwarzes Moore to name a few. Most of these areas have trails that are anywhere from a few kilometers to several days of hiking. Many of the hikes you can go to the Guesthouses where you can find a traditional German meal and a good German Bier! Germans enjoy hiking as a past time and Die Rhön in my opinion, offers some of the most scenic trails around. Interested in learning more about Die Rhön then check out their official site at rhoen.de
Popular Hiking and Sightseeing Destinations
Die Rhön is a vast area. Many travelers who come here for only a day or two might have trouble figuring out where to start or which area to discover. Do you want to go for a days hike or simply sit down at one of the guesthouses and enjoy a beer? The places listed below are some of the recommended sites and attractions that I revisit time and time again and absolutely love.
Kreuzberg
Kreuzberg is one of my favorite places not just in Die Rhön, but all of Germany! Not far from Wildflecken, you can drive or bike to the Kloster (monastery) and Church. The church has been active since 1681 by the Franciscans. In my opinion, Kreuzberg gets its fame because of their Kloster Bier! The bier (German spelling) has been brewed at the same spot since 1731. Honestly, it is some of the best and strongest bier I’ve ever had. Picture this, you order a bier in a ,5L or 1L stein, sit among the monastery, and watch monks with huge St. Bernard’s walk by, meanwhile you are enjoying a bratwurst or Schweinhaxe (my favorite) sitting next to friendly Germans!
There is so much more to Kreuzberg then just enjoying their Kloster Bier. Afterwards or beforehand you can hike the miles upon miles of rolling hills here. You can walk to the Neustädter Haus for lunch, or walk the stairs to the Drei Golgota Kreuze or Three Crosses.
Wasserkuppe
Wasserkuppe lies in my home-state of Hesse and is the tallest mountain in Die Rhön. One of the most noticeable attractions here is the gliders. You can see them all lined up on the runway, being set for take off, and flying around. Paragliding is pretty popular around here as well. One other thing that is hard to miss is the big radar dome that was left standing by the Air Force. Out of all the places to visit, Wasserkuppe has the most activities for both the young and adults. Other fun activities at Wasserkuppe include a climbing forest, which is like an obstacle course, and my favorite Rodelbahn, or Rhönbob in the area. Rodelbahn is German for Alpine Sledding. There are two different courses here, I recommend doing both as they are different, but so much fun! Wasserkuppe is also known as a great place for hiking and mountain biking!
Schwarzes Moor
The Schwarzes Moor or Black Moor, is another destination recommended by me in Die Rhön. The Schwarzes Moor is mainly a hiking destination. The name is derived from the fauna that grows in the area, when dense it looks rather “blackish.” Hiking here is quite nice, there is a wooden board walk covering the entire trail, which makes walking easy and protects the delicate ecosystem. All together the hike is about 2.2 km round trip. After walking the Moor, there is some interesting historical sites to check out. There are remnants of a border from The German Democratic Republic (GDR). There is a watch tower and wall still standing. Near the entrance to the Moor is a stone gate from the Reich Labor Service (RAD). After exploring the Moor and the historical sites, there is a small café here where you can get a Bionade which is a fermented organic drink from the area, Thuringian Bratwurst, and a slice of cake!
Sandberg
Another destination in Die Rhön, Deutschland that offers endless hiking is Sandberg. I’ve been here often to hike with my oma (grandma) and usually the goal is to start early and make our way to the Kissinger Hütte for lunch. Along the route you hike through pine forests and open meadows before getting to the hütte. After hiking several kilometers meals and bier are necessary. The Kissinger Hütte offers great traditional cuisine like kase spaetzle, bratwürste and currywürste with pommes (fries), don’t forget to wash the food down with a refreshing radler or bier aus dem fass (from the tap). After lunch, explore the top of the hill, you get a great 360 degree view of the area and surrounding mountains. You can either back track the same route or try a different trail to see where you end up!
Towns in Die Rhön
Not only is Die Rhön a great place to unwind and enjoy nature. There are also many beautiful small towns scattered throughout the area that are worth exploring. Many of these towns have a few attractions, pretty downtown area, and restaurants. Here are a few of my favorite towns in Die Rhön.
Bad Brückenau
Bad Brückenau is a beautiful spa town located in Die Rhön. Not a whole lot of people visit or even know about Bad Brückenau. My oma, aunt, and several friends live here, so I’ve been traveling to this region since I was born and still go back every other year. Bad Brückenau will always hold a special place in my heart.
For visitors, Bad Brückenau has a lot to offer. When driving by the town the most notable feature is the beige/orange colored church surrounded by beautiful hills. Bad Brückenau has a town square surrounded by traditional Bavarian houses and buildings. Restaurants and shops can be found throughout the town square. There is a phenomenal swimming pool called Sinnflut that I’ve spent countless summers days here.
Bad Brückenau has an amazing stadtfest (town fest), usually held in June where the whole town gets together to celebrate their city and enjoy themselves.
Stadtsbad
Stadtsbad is a part of Bad Brückenau but is a ways from town. Stadtsbad is a place for locals and tourists alike to visit, relax, and enjoy a slower pace of life.
Stadtsbad is rich in history, King Ludwig I spent a lot of time here to escape the crowded city life of Munich. There is a large tree here in Stadtsbad that is said to be a thousand years old and King Ludwig I used to rest under its shade. Today, visitors can slowly walk the trails within the park, attend a concert, participate in health and wellness treatments, or sample their world-famous mineral water.
Bad Kissingen
Another spa town in Die Rhön, Bad Kissingen is the largest city in the area. Bad Kissingen has a rich history, even Kings and Emperors have stayed here to relax in the spas. Now, you don’t have to be either a King nor an Emperor to enjoy Bad Kissingen.
Every time I come here in the summer, I am reminded of a tropical paradise. The river is lined with palm trees, flowers are decoratively planted throughout the town, there are fountains, and beautiful historical buildings. After relaxing in the park, stroll through the old town, sit at a café and enjoy an ice cream.
Fladungen
Fladungen is a small dorf (village) located in the Bavarian side of Die Rhön. Fladungen is a cute little village that is well worth a visit. The most notable attraction here is the Freiland Museum (open-air museum). After visiting the museum, stroll the village and view the medieval wall, the old mill, and grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant.
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