From the Sonnenstein hiking car park, a well-marked trail leads to the Skywalk, continues through Georgenthal to the WenderhĂĽtte Forest Education Centre and the former Benedictine abbey in Gerode. It then runs via the quarry back to the car park. It is a good idea to check the local route information before setting out.
Hiking and Cycling in Sonnenstein
Another point of reference is the Iron Curtain Trail European Cycle Route (ICT), which passes through the municipality of Sonnenstein. The two activities have different focuses: when hiking, you follow a sequence of named destinations and return to the car park; when cycling, Sonnenstein is connected by the course of the European Cycle Route. This provides a specific hiking route and a cycling route as distinct points of reference for planning your trip.
More options in the wider Eichsfeld destination
For longer hikes, the wider Eichsfeld destination, with the Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt, offers good conditions on certified TOP hiking trails. The Sonnenstein route is described by its sequence of stops and return to the car park; in Eichsfeld, the focus is on longer hikes along certified trails. This distinction helps you choose between a specific itinerary and the region’s range of hiking options.
Cultural History in Eichsfeld
There are also different points of interest among the cultural attractions. 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 its former lords, the von Wintzingerode family; visitors can also see the small chapel with its baptismal angel. Check the tour dates before visiting. In Heilbad Heiligenstadt, the Eichsfeld Museum, housed in the Baroque Jesuit college, covers the history, culture, religious life and folklore of Eichsfeld across three floors. The castle and museum thus offer two different ways to explore regional history: the story of a castle and a wide-ranging presentation of Eichsfeld.
Views and Seasons
In Eichsfeld, Scharfenstein Castle and the ruins of Hanstein Castle offer different viewpoints. Scharfenstein Castle has a viewpoint on its terrace, as well as a 20-metre-high tower completed in 2016, with sweeping panoramic views across the upper Leine Valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohmgebirge hills and the eastern DĂĽn. On a clear day, the view extends as far as the Harz Mountains. Visitors can explore the extensive remains of Hanstein Castle; its accessible west tower offers a wide panorama over Eichsfeld and the surrounding forests in clear weather. With good visibility, the view extends as far as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains. Weather is therefore also a factor when it comes to the views: good visibility matters at Scharfenstein, while clear weather or good visibility over a long distance is needed at Hanstein.
A seasonal tradition in the wider Eichsfeld destination takes place every year on Easter Monday in Dingelstädt, around St. Mary's Church. During the hobbyhorse ride, preschool children ride wooden horses decorated with little bells and colourful ribbons. If you are planning your trip around this event, check the specific dates before travelling.
Discover more destinations: Büttstedt, Schönhagen, Berlingerode, Kleinbartloff, Bornhagen, Uder, Haynrode, Am Ohmberg
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