Herzhausen combines nature exhibits at the Kellerwald National Park Center with opportunities to explore on foot, by bike and on Lake Eder. The center is located in Vöhl-Herzhausen; the village is also a starting point for several circular routes on the Primeval Forest Trail. At Lake Eder near Herzhausen, you can fish and hire boats.

Exhibition and dining at the National Park Center

The interactive exhibition covers the wilderness of the Kellerwald, the history and background of the national park, native species and habitats, and its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A multilingual 15-minute 4D film complements the visit; interactive activities and visitor services round out the offer. The National Park Center’s dining facilities focus on seasonal ingredients and regional cuisine. If particular exhibition content or the film is important to your visit, check its current availability; for the dining facilities, it is worth checking the opening hours.

Walking and cycling routes

Two circular hikes on the Primeval Forest Trail start in Herzhausen and pass the Hoch Stein viewpoint: one is 8 km long and the other 12 km. The 19 km loop also includes the National Park Center, Hagenstein, the national park and the Asel-Süd ferry connection. This gives you a choice of routes with different distances and additional listed stops. Before setting off, check the current route and the Asel-Süd ferry connection.

Several cycle routes pass directly through Herzhausen: the Lake Eder Circular Route, the Eder Cycle Route, the Hessian long-distance routes R5 and R6, the Ruhr-Eder GeoCycle Route, and the Orange Route. The ER 2 runs from Herzhausen towards the national park’s forests. Before setting off, it is worth checking the current route and signage.

Fishing and boat hire at Lake Eder

At Lake Eder near Herzhausen, you can fish from the shore or from a boat. Local facilities rent out rowing boats, paddle boats and pedal boats. You can plan your fishing and choice of boat separately: decide whether you would like to fish from the shore or from a boat, and which type of boat suits your plans. Check the current fishing conditions and which boat hire services are available in advance.

Getting your bearings at the National Park Center

The National Park Center has free parking and a family-friendly outdoor area. Free mobility scooters are available for visitors with limited mobility; a scooter lets you explore the nearby Hagenstein route independently. If a scooter is important to your plans, check availability and make a reservation in advance.

In the wider destination of Vöhl

The former Vöhl synagogue is a simple half-timbered building in the center of Vöhl. It was built in 1827, inaugurated in 1829, and serves as a venue for concerts, talks and memorial events. If you plan to attend an event, check the relevant program.

In Vöhl-Asel, the bat nature trail features interactive stations and clearly presented information. A bat exhibition is housed in an old transformer station; infrared cameras offer live views into a maternity roost. In the evening, you can watch bats using a detector and night-vision device; this requires advance registration with the hunting authority.

The municipality of Vöhl has almost 50 signposted hiking trails, as well as the long-distance Kellerwaldsteig and Primeval Forest Trail. Hessenstein Castle was built in the 14th century along the medieval trade route from Frankfurt to Hamburg and became Hesse’s first youth hostel in 1922. Near Alt-Asel, the 60-meter-long, four-arch Eder Bridge is the first structure to emerge as Lake Eder’s water level falls; it is considered the best-preserved structure in the old Eder valley.

Discover more destinations: Harbshausen, Marienhagen, Buchenberg, Obernburg, Oberorke.

Back to the main travel overview: Vöhl.