Meinhard combines leisure activities at Lake Werratalsee with hiking and cycling trails, as well as historic discoveries in Schwebda. When choosing accommodation, it is helpful to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: should your getaway be mainly by the water, in the countryside or exploring architectural and local history?

Leisure and swimming at Lake Werratalsee

The Seepark Meinhard is located on the eastern shore of Lake Werratalsee. It offers opportunities for family fun and swimming. A varied playground and beach volleyball courts add to the park’s attractions. Meinhard-Schwebda also has a sandy beach bathing area on the eastern shore, where you can enjoy the water. Before your trip, check the seasonal opening hours of the permanent leisure facilities.

Hiking and cycling

Meinhard lies directly on the Green Belt of Hesse National Natural Monument. The P4 Hessian Switzerland premium hiking trail passes through the natural monument and reaches steep rock faces with views over the Werra Valley. The route is 15.6 kilometres long, has 422 metres of elevation gain and is rated difficult. Its stated duration is 330 minutes, or five hours and 30 minutes. Check the route details again when planning your trip, as trail standards may change due to maintenance.

The Werra Valley Cycle Route passes directly through Meinhard along a lake landscape and is rated easy to moderate. When choosing between the two routes, you can factor the P4’s length, elevation gain and duration into your plans; for the cycle route, its difficulty rating and course along the lake landscape provide useful guidance.

Wolfsbrunnen Castle and the history of Schwebda

Wolfsbrunnen Castle lies northeast of Meinhard-Schwebda at the foot of Dachsberg. It was built on commission from Alexander v. Keudell between 1904 and 1907. The castle is home to one of the largest colonies of greater mouse-eared bats in Hesse. Excursions take place from late spring; check the latest dates if you would like to join one.

The group of buildings around the Steinerne Haus is part of the town’s history. It developed from a former moated castle and is among the oldest buildings in the town. The Steinerne Haus dates from 1529. The Walrabshof, with the Steinerne Haus, is regarded as the ancestral home of the Lords of Keudell.

Regional culture at the local history museum

The Meinhard Local History Museum in Meinhard-Schwebda was established in 1989 above the former farrier’s workshop of the old manor and presents regional culture. Visitors can try out some of the exhibits, including parts of a classroom from the former elementary school and a collection of working telephone sets. This offers a view of Schwebda that ranges from the architectural history around the Steinerne Haus to insights into past school and communication experiences.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Grebendorf, Schwebda, Sontra, Rommerode, Bad Sooden-Allendorf, Wanfried, Meißner, Ringgau

Go to the main travel overview: Werra-Meißner District.