Cycle route and village centre
The Leine-Heide Cycle Route passes through Bodenrode-Westhausen and directly by St. Laurentius Church, located in the centre of Bodenrode. Two themes come together here to help you find your way around: a long-distance cycling route and the historic centre of the Catholic parish village. The church dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Bodenrode-Westhausen, you can consider the village as a destination for a stay that combines cycling with insights into its history.
The cycle route is over 420 kilometres long and connects the upland landscape of the Leinebergland with the LĂĽneburg Heath and the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. In the wider Eichsfeld destination, Leinefelde is the starting point of the route, which continues to Hamburg. The section through Bodenrode-Westhausen can therefore be seen both as part of a local exploration and as part of the cycle route as a whole. This distinguishes the cycle route from an excursion focused solely on the village centre: the route offers a wider framework, while the church provides a specific connection to Bodenrode.
A short walk and traces of history
For a short hike, the Stations of the Cross near Bodenrode offers a separate option. Fourteen images carved in stone illustrate the Way of the Cross. This sequence of religious images gives the trail a distinct theme, setting it apart from the cycling character of the Leine-Heide Cycle Route. This gives you several different interests to consider when planning: a longer cycling route, a short hiking trail with a religious connection, and the church in the village centre.
The baroque Wiener Hof is also part of Bodenrode’s history: it was originally used as an inn. Together with the church, it offers a glimpse of two different aspects of local history, although the two buildings did not serve the same purpose. The church defines the centre of the Catholic parish village and, through its period of construction, points to the 17th and 18th centuries; the Wiener Hof is known for its former use as an inn.
Culture and castles in the wider Eichsfeld destination
If you include other themes from the wider Eichsfeld destination alongside Bodenrode-Westhausen, you will find several distinct historical points of interest. Bodenstein Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1098 and stands on a spur of the Ohmgebirge hills. Regular guided tours at the castle explore the history of the former lords of Wintzingerode; it is also possible to visit the small chapel with its baptismal angel. If a guided tour is important to your plans, check the dates in advance.
At Scharfenstein Castle, the views are a highlight: in addition to the terrace, there is a 20-metre-high tower completed in 2016. From there, the panoramic view extends across the upper Leine valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohmgebirge hills and the eastern DĂĽn; on a clear day, you can see as far as the Harz Mountains. Hanstein Castle Ruins also offer a viewpoint: in clear weather, the accessible western tower affords wide views over the Eichsfeld and the surrounding forests. With excellent visibility, the view reaches as far as the Brocken. You can explore the extensive remains of the ruins.
Another way to discover regional history is the Eichsfeld Museum, housed in Heilbad Heiligenstadt’s baroque Jesuit college. Across three floors, it explores the Eichsfeld’s history, culture, religious life and folklore. At the Eichsfeld Borderland Museum, a circular walking trail with original control buildings, vehicle barriers and signal fences brings the character of the former GDR border to life. The two attractions have different focuses: the museum offers a range of themes, while the trail explores border history and its preserved structures.
Landscape, traditions and regional cuisine in the Eichsfeld
As a wider destination, the Eichsfeld offers open fields, natural monuments, castles, historic towns, and cycling and hiking trails. For hiking, the Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt are linked by certified TOP hiking trails. Duderstadt’s medieval ramparts are fully preserved and invite visitors to stroll beneath old lime and chestnut trees. These examples show different ways to experience the region’s landscape and history without equating them with the sights of Bodenrode-Westhausen.
Regional specialities also include air-dried sausage, considered a delicacy of the Eichsfeld and known beyond the region. Dingelstädt has a special tradition: every year on Easter Monday, the Steckenpferd-Reiten (hobby-horse riding) takes place around St. Mary’s Church. Preschool children ride wooden hobby horses decorated with little bells and colourful ribbons. This gives you a range of other Eichsfeld themes to choose from, spanning regional cuisine and customs to castles, museums and hiking trails.
Discover more destinations: Am Ohmberg, Geismar, Buhla, Kleinbartloff, Breitenworbis, Lutter, Heilbad Heiligenstadt, Martinfeld.
See the wider travel overview: Eichsfeld.
