The Habichtswald Cultural History Eco Path connects Dörnberg and Ehlen, which have jointly formed the municipality of Habichtswald since 1972. Together with the history of the Schnegelsberg Forge and the landscape around Silbersee and Höllchen, this offers concrete themes for a stay: local history and traces of former basalt mining.
Village History in Ehlen
The Schnegelsberg Forge in Ehlen was built in 1893 and served as the village forge until 1970. This provides an opportunity to explore not only the connection between Dörnberg and Ehlen, but also a clearly defined former craft tradition in Ehlen. The historical period gives the cultural theme a specific connection to the area.
Forest Lakes with a Mining History
The forest area around Silbersee and Höllchen is shaped by the mining history of the 20th century. Former basalt quarries have filled with groundwater and spring water, forming natural lakes today. The lakes thus connect a landscape theme with the history of resource extraction. By contrast, the forge focuses on former village crafts: both are different traces of past work in Habichtswald.
Kassel as the Broader Travel Destination
The broader travel destination of Kassel offers other, distinct landscape themes. Habichtswald Nature Park is characterized by extensive beech forests and numerous volcanic basalt peaks. Reinhardswald Nature Park brings together centuries-old pollarded oaks, extensive beech and spruce forests, river valleys, natural stream landscapes, and calcareous grasslands with juniper and orchids. In Geo-Nature Park Frau-Holle-Land, deep forests alternate with meadows and fields; there are also colorful mountain meadows and trout streams. The landscapes are markedly different. You can therefore consider whether, alongside the local forest lakes, other nature themes in the broader travel destination of Kassel should play a part in your trip.
The cultural attractions in the broader travel destination of Kassel also offer different highlights. Trendelburg Castle has a 38 m-high keep and is surrounded by a moat and castle wall. The German Fairy Tale Route runs through Kassel district and leads, among other places, to Sababurg Castle, known as Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, and Trendelburg Castle with its Rapunzel Tower. Fairy tales can also be experienced along the German Fairy Tale Route at open-air theaters, as puppet shows, or in a museum steeped in history.
Trails and Other Excursion Destinations in the Kassel Travel Destination
The Eco Paths in Reinhardswald and Habichtswald offer historical trails through the landscape in the broader travel destination of Kassel. They include a variety of historically significant archaeological sites, as well as castles and palaces. The Eco Paths in Kassel district have no opening hours and can be explored independently at any time of day; conditions may vary from trail to trail. The “Hör’ mal!” program offers 15 audio tours in Kassel district, following set routes with stops and viewpoints. These different ways of exploring can help you choose a suitable theme; if you have a particular trail in mind, check its conditions in advance.
Another destination in the broader travel destination of Kassel is Sababurg Zoo. It covers 130 ha and is home to 80 animal species and more than 900 animals; animal numbers may change during normal operations. The zoo is open every day throughout the year. Check the opening hours before you travel. The zoo museum offers insights into the zoo’s history and daily life, as well as the animal species represented there.
Then tailor your search to the themes that matter for your stay.
Discover more destinations: Bad Emstal, Kaufungen, Fuldatal, Calden, Brasselsberg, Oberweser, Kassel, Baunatal.
Back to the main travel overview: Kassel.
