The Schifflersgrund Border Museum gives a stay in Asbach-Sickenberg a clear historical focus: it opened in 1991 and tells the story of the division of Germany. Anyone interested in this history will find a concrete starting point here for getting to know the area.
There is also a notable landmark to help you plan a cycling tour. A signposted turnoff from the Werratal Cycle Route, also known as the Iron Curtain Trail, is located at the border museum. You can take this turnoff into account when planning your route; check the local signs before setting off.
Nature and a Rest Stop on the P16 Premium Trail
The P16 Premium Trail, in the area near Asbach-Sickenberg, offers another side of the destination. It is home to very large stands of old yew trees. In spring, hellebores, mezereons and lily of the valley bloom; in summer, wild herbs, the rare Turk’s cap lily and unusual orchids grow. The seasonal highlights differ markedly: in spring, the focus is on the blossoms, while in summer, other plants take centre stage.
The Altenstein castle ruins add a historic rest stop along the P16. Nature and the ruins offer different highlights in the surrounding area: the plant life shapes the landscape, while the ruins provide a place to pause along the trail. The museum, cycle-route turnoff and P16 therefore offer different ways to explore the area without needing to combine them into a single outing.
Culture and Landscape in the Eichsfeld
The Eichsfeld also offers other destinations with their own distinct themes. The Eichsfeld Museum is housed in the Baroque Jesuit college in Heilbad Heiligenstadt. Its three floors explore the history, culture, religious life and folklore of the Eichsfeld. Bodenstein Castle offers a different historical perspective: it was first mentioned in a document in 1098 and stands on a spur of the Ohmgebirge hills. Regular guided tours there explore the history of the former castle lords of Wintzingerode; visitors can also visit the small chapel with its baptismal angel. If a guided tour is important to your plans, check the dates in advance.
In Dingelstädt, the tradition of riding hobby horses around St. Mary’s Church takes place every year on Easter Monday. Preschool children ride wooden horses decorated with little bells and colourful ribbons. The tradition’s fixed connection to Easter Monday sets it apart from the cultural and landscape attractions described as available year-round: timing is key if you plan to visit.
For hiking, the Eichsfeld recommends the Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt, with certified TOP hiking trails. Castles offer further perspectives on the landscape. Scharfenstein Castle has a viewing point on its terrace and a 20-metre-high tower completed in 2016. In good visibility, the panoramic view extends over the upper Leine Valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohmgebirge hills and the eastern Dün; the Harz can also be seen when visibility is good. In clear weather, the accessible west tower of Hanstein Castle’s ruins offers a sweeping panoramic view over the Eichsfeld and the surrounding forests, reaching as far as the Brocken when visibility is good.
Towns and regional cuisine round out the selection: Duderstadt’s medieval ramparts are fully intact and invite you to take a stroll beneath old lime and chestnut trees. Air-dried sausage is an Eichsfeld speciality, known beyond the region’s borders. The trip can therefore bring together a range of interests: border history and nature near Asbach-Sickenberg, as well as other cultural, hiking and culinary attractions in the Eichsfeld. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first consider which of these themes you would like to focus on during your stay.
Discover more destinations
Berlingerode, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Wachstedt, Mackenrode, Am Ohmberg, Deuna, Wahlhausen and Schimberg.
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