An underground labyrinth, an imperial legend and a circular trail starting and ending in Bad Frankenhausen give the Kyffhäuser District an unusual arc of discovery. The experiences range from geology and mining history to archaeological reconstructions; two trails of very different lengths also offer practical guidance for hiking. You can shape your stay around your own interests, choosing between underground tours, exhibitions and outdoor activities.
Barbarossa Cave: Geology and Legend
Barbarossa Cave is an anhydrite cave between the districts of Rottleben and Steinthaleben in the municipality of Kyffhäuserland. Its discovery connects natural history with the area's mining history: in 1865, five miners came across the cave while copper shale mining was being resumed. It was named after the legend of the returning Emperor Frederick I Barbarossa. The discovery story and the legend thus contribute to the visit in different ways: one points to 19th-century mining, the other to a traditional tale about the emperor.
Underground and at the Palace Museum
The Sondershausen Erlebnisbergwerk (adventure mine) also takes you far below the surface: guided tours are offered year-round at a depth of 670 metres. They include an approximately two-hour truck tour through the underground labyrinth. The same mine is home to the world's deepest concert hall, where concerts and cabaret performances are regularly held. The two offerings have different focuses: the tour centres on exploring the mine, while the concert hall is all about its events programme.
At Sondershausen Palace Museum, you can take a different look at history. Housed since 1923 in the former residence palace of the counts and princes of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen, it presents a multifaceted exhibition across three floors. The options thus range from a tour deep underground to museum rooms in the former residence palace, with each offering a different kind of discovery.
Exhibitions and Archaeology
In Wiehe, a model railway exhibition devoted to its subject is open year-round across 12,000 square metres of exhibition space. Its scale offers a different experience from a single museum building. If you are interested in reconstructed settlement history, the Funkenburg Archaeological Open-Air Museum in Westgreußen features a reconstruction of a Germanic settlement that is unique in Germany. It is set on a striking hill spur above the Helbe Valley.
The Funkenburg's educational museum programme includes pottery, baking, wool processing, fish-net making and archery. These activities provide a hands-on way to engage with the archaeological theme: alongside the reconstructed settlement are practical craft activities. This sets Funkenburg apart from both the model railway exhibition in Wiehe and the cultural history collections in Sondershausen.
Hiking: Circular Trail or Discovery Trail
The Kyffhäuser Trail is a 37-kilometre circular trail starting and ending in Bad Frankenhausen. Its three stages run from Bad Frankenhausen to Barbarossa Cave, from there to the Kyffhäuser Monument, and then back to Bad Frankenhausen. It is certified as a Quality Trail by Wanderbares Deutschland, is well signposted and is regularly inspected for defects. The sequence of stages names prominent destinations and makes the circular route easy to follow; the stage details do not provide a basis for estimating additional walking times.
At four kilometres, the Forest Discovery Trail is a considerably shorter route option. It runs between the Rothenburg ruins and the Kyffhäuser Monument and includes ten discovery stations. Comparing the stated distances can help you choose a trail, without presuming a walking time or difficulty level: the Kyffhäuser Trail is a multi-stage circular route, while the Forest Discovery Trail covers four kilometres between two named destinations.
Practical Information for Visiting the Kyffhäuser Monument
For visitors with limited mobility, the Kyffhäuser Monument shuttle runs between the car parks and the ticket office area from April to October, Saturdays and Sundays between 10:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. It also runs on weekdays during school holidays in Thuringia. Check the current timetable before your visit so you can take the stated service times into account when planning.
For a combination of bus and bicycle, the Kyffhäuser Rad-Shuttle on route 530 runs through the region between Sondershausen and Artern. Bicycles can be carried on a bike rack. Along with the circular trail, the shorter discovery trail and the underground attractions, this gives you a range of themes and transport options to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Bad Frankenhausen, Ebeleben, Sondershausen, Steinthaleben, Artern/Unstrut, Wiehe, Bendeleben, Kyffhäuserland, Heldrungen, Oldisleben, Gorsleben, Westgreußen, Nausitz, Oberheldrungen, Roßleben, Helbedündorf, Clingen, Greußen.
Go to the overview of destinations: Thuringia.
