Hiking trails through beech forests and rural cultural landscapes sit alongside restored half-timbered façades, a church with a Romanesque chancel and a stone sculpture group in Gellershausen. The routes vary in length, scenery and navigation. There are also cultural discoveries that you can plan as a separate focus for your stay.
Hiking between Beech Forests and Cultural Landscapes
The Traddelkopf-Locheichen Route is a 12.23-kilometre, moderately difficult circular hike. It starts and ends at the “Heinrichshütte” National Park entrance and car park in Edertal-Gellershausen. The trail passes through beech forests, past pollarded beech trees and remnants of heathland, as well as through the Traddelkopf area. Its length, difficulty and starting point provide clear guidance for planning this circular route.
The Locheichen Route from Gellershausen passes through an old beech forest that is part of the World Heritage Site, as well as through National Park grassland and a varied rural cultural landscape. The Tannendriesch Pavilion is located along the route. The former wildlife-feeding station now serves as an information pavilion, bringing together the landscape, the site’s former use and its current role as an information point.
Another option is the recommended circular route around Ebachsköppel. It takes about 45 minutes, but is not marked. The starting point is a water reservoir, which you can reach via “An der Litt” at the edge of Gellershausen in the direction of Hüddingen. For navigation, both the described starting point and the unmarked route are therefore important.
Village Character, Church and Culture
Restored half-timbered façades shape the village character of Gellershausen. The sequence of architectural features at the church reflects several eras: the masonry of the Romanesque chancel dates from the 13th century, the nave was added a century later and was subsequently altered in the Baroque style. A stone sculpture group depicting a shepherd and pigs stands at Schwinneplatz. Together, the façades, the building’s history and the sculpture offer different points of interest on a walk exploring local history.
Practical Information and Further Activities
The Heinrichshütte National Park entrance can be reached from the Edertal-Gellershausen, Försterei bus stop via a 650-metre footpath. If you are planning to travel by public transport, it is worth checking the current timetable. This ensures that the walk from the bus stop to the entrance is factored into your journey as a separate leg.
You can reach the wading pool in Gellershausen via a small footbridge from “Im Erlengrund” or “Am Gersthof.” It offers a chance to cool off after a hike on the Angstberg Route 2 and relax on a sun lounger. The pool may be dry during summer droughts; take this limitation into account when planning your visit.
The “Spielzeugeisenbahnen im Schaufenster” museum displays toy trains and accessories from the heyday of toy trains, from 1900 through the 1980s. Individual appointments can be arranged for groups of five or more; if interested, arrange your group visit in advance. Cyclists also have a named route connection: the Edersee Cycle Route 3 crosses Kellerwald-Edersee National Park between Gellershausen and Bringhausen. On the section from Giflitz to Gellershausen, it follows the Wesetal Educational Trail. Check current route conditions before setting out.
In the Wider Destination of Edertal
The wider destination of Edertal offers other independent options. The Ederauen Experience Trail runs between Mehlen and Giflitz through a varied river landscape and is ideal for hiking and cycling. It offers another way to experience the landscape of Edertal, separate from the trails mentioned in Gellershausen.
The Eder Dam was built between 1908 and 1914 and is the region’s landmark structure. The illuminated dam wall is particularly impressive in the evening. These regional destinations add further facets of the wider destination of Edertal to your visit to Gellershausen.
Discover more destinations: Hemfurth, Wellen, Bringhausen, Anraff, Mehlen, Kleinern.
View the wider travel overview: Edertal.
