Meißner brings together mining history, nature and stories of Frau Holle. In Abterode, guided tours of the Gustav Mine visitor mine let you see the laborious medieval mining methods clearly in hand-hewn tunnels. In 2026, visitor tours are available from April 8 on Wednesdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, as well as on public holidays in Hesse. As exact times may change, check the tour schedule before your visit.
A circular trail with nature themes
In Vockerode, the Kalbe Trail and Eulenstieg form a circular route of about 2.5 kilometers with 14 information boards. They provide insights into nature, threats to the natural environment and ways to protect it, while you experience your immediate surroundings. The trail starts and ends at the Frau-Holle-Teich car park, which is directly on the Schwalbental–Bad Sooden-Allendorf/Kammerbach road (L3242).
Frau Holle and local discoveries
Many legends about Frau Holle are rooted in Meißner. The Bergwildpark Meißner wildlife park in Germerode includes the small “Waldwichtelhaus” museum. Together with the visitor mine and the forest nature trail, it offers a range of themes to shape your trip around: medieval mining, knowledge about nature or local traditions.
The wider Werra-Meißner district
For tourism, the Werra-Meißner district is part of the Frau-Holle-Land Geo-Nature Park. Within the district, Hoher Meißner is considered the highest mountain in the region and the home of Frau Holle. Between the Werra Valley, Hoher Meißner and Kaufunger Forest, the region offers geological diversity, varied landscapes and a rich array of flora and fauna. More than 35 percent of the Werra-Meißner district is designated as nature conservation areas.
The Werra-Meißner district has an extensive network of certified premium hiking trails, as well as the Werra-Burgen-Steig Hessen, which take hikers to particularly scenic areas of the Geo-Nature Park. The P1 Hoher Meißner premium trail is rated difficult and is 13.7 kilometers long. Meißner also has a Nordic walking park with four routes between 6 and 12 kilometers long, starting at the Bergwildpark Meißner wildlife park. The lengths allow you to compare the scope of the routes; the difficult rating applies to the P1. Before setting out on a specific hike, check for current seasonal restrictions and confirm the local availability of the Nordic walking routes.
The changing seasons also bring a variety of seasonal themes to the Frau-Holle-Land Geo-Nature Park: cherry blossom in the Witzenhausen Cherry Country, orchid blooms, pink poppy fields in Germerode and Grandenborn, Frau Holle’s flower meadows, autumn foliage and winter sports on Hoher Meißner. The timing of blooms and changing colors varies from year to year. The Geo-Nature Park’s events calendar offers guided hikes, nature experiences, family activities and themed tours around Hoher Meißner throughout the year. Check the latest dates for individual events.
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Discover more destinations: Neu-Eichenberg, Wanfried, Waldkappel, Berkatal, Witzenhausen, Ringgau, Sontra, Datterode.
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