Trendelburg Castle has a 38-metre-high keep and is surrounded by a moat and castle wall. It is a striking starting point for a journey of discovery that takes in historic places and landscapes. The German Fairy Tale Route runs through the district of Kassel and leads, among other places, to Sababurg Castle, known as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, and Trendelburg Castle with its Rapunzel Tower. Travellers encounter fairy-tale motifs along the route in various forms: at open-air theatres, as puppet shows or in a museum steeped in history.
Fairy-Tale Places and Historic Traces
The castles give the Fairy Tale Route a tangible form. Trendelburg combines the Rapunzel Tower with a clearly recognisable fortified structure; Sababurg is known as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle. In this way, fairy-tale stories and historic places stand side by side, while the route also offers a range of cultural experiences.
The Eco Paths offer a different perspective. In the Reinhardswald and Habichtswald forests, they invite visitors to trace history in the landscape of the district of Kassel. The Eco Paths in the district also lead to archaeological sites and offer the chance to discover castles and palaces. If you would like to choose cultural attractions more selectively, you can consult the discovery map jointly published by the city and district of Kassel: it lists 70 cultural attractions with addresses, contact details, opening hours and links to their websites.
Wooded Landscapes with Distinctive Features
The natural scenery is diverse. Large stands of beech trees and numerous volcanic basalt knolls shape the landscape of the Habichtswald Nature Park. The park is a destination for nature lovers, hikers, winter sports enthusiasts and anyone seeking relaxation. In Reinhardswald Nature Park, centuries-old pollarded oaks meet extensive beech and spruce forests. The landscape also features river valleys, natural stream landscapes and calcareous grasslands with juniper and orchids.
In the Geo-Nature Park Frau-Holle-Land, deep forests alternate with meadows and fields, alongside colourful mountain meadows and trout streams. Over the past few years, 24 premium trails have been established there. There are also opportunities for sailing and hang gliding, water sports, winter sports, cycling, horse riding and fishing. Taken together, the landscapes described offer everything from beech forests and basalt knolls to open spaces, streams and a wide range of outdoor activities.
Audio Tours, Zoo and Cycling Routes
The “Hör‘ mal!†programme offers 15 audio tours for exploring the district of Kassel. They follow set routes with stops and viewpoints. The Eco Paths have a different focus: they have no opening hours and can be explored independently at any time of day. Conditions on individual paths may vary; take this into account when planning your visit.
Sababurg Zoo covers 130 hectares, is home to 80 animal species and has more than 900 animals. These figures may change during normal operations. The zoo is open daily throughout the year; check the opening hours before your visit. The zoo museum offers insights into the history and everyday life of the park, as well as the animal species found there.
There is also useful guidance for cycling enthusiasts: the Kassel–Edersee Cycle Route runs through the districts of Kassel and Waldeck-Frankenberg. The Fulda Cycle Route R1 is designated as a tourist cycling route in the district of Kassel; check route conditions if you are planning a specific trip.
The Right Hotel for Your Travel Interests
If you are looking for a hotel in Kassel, your interests can be a good starting point: fairy-tale places and castles, historic traces, the zoo and museum, or nature and outdoor activities. This lets you tailor your search to what you most want to discover on your trip.
Discover more destinations: Zierenberg, Wolfhagen, Trendelburg, Naumburg/ Hessen, Lohfelden, Kassel, Bad Karlshafen, Hofgeismar, Espenau, Breuna, Baunatal, Schauenburg, Brasselsberg, Helsa, Fuldabrück, Kaufungen, Calden, Habichtswald, Oberweser, Haunetal, Niestetal, Bad Emstal, Vellmar, Reinhardshagen, Fuldatal, Söhrewald, Immenhausen, Grebenstein, Nieste, Liebenau, Ahnatal.
For the main travel overview: Hesse.
