Many farmsteads and half-timbered houses shape the village landscape of Vachdorf. A striking reminder of the village’s history is the Hutturm Tower of the fortified church: it is the last of what were probably four inner corner towers. After a fire in 1918, the tower stood without a roof for 88 years; it was rebuilt in 2006. Today, it stands 18.70 metres high.
Festivals and Village Life
Annual cultural highlights in Vachdorf include the carnival season, with its Büttenabend (carnival cabaret evening), the sports festival, the Krayn Festival and the St John’s Festival. Those wishing to combine their visit with a festival will find various occasions throughout the year. The traditional costume fair lasts three days and takes place in late autumn. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific event dates in advance.
Hiking on Krayenberg
The 3.2-kilometre circular hiking trail “Der Krayen” starts at the foot of Krayenberg, Vachdorf’s local mountain. From the highest point, on a clear day you can see the mountains of the Thuringian Forest and the elevations of the Thuringian Rhön. The view therefore depends on clear conditions. Along the trail are rock cellars built by Vachdorf farmers in the 19th century to store provisions. They were intended to protect the harvest from flooding by the Werra.
A dry grassland slope on Krayenberg is also maintained by the local heritage association; it is part of the Upper Werra Valley Cultural and Landscape Park. Another hike starts in Vachdorf: the route to Wachenbrunn initially follows a section of the first stage of the Celtic Adventure Trail. These different trail names and landscape themes offer options for planning, but the two routes should not be confused.
More Trails and Getting There
At the former railway station, the starting point of circular trail no. 1, information boards explain the solar system. They were created by students from ObermaĂźfeld as part of a project. For cyclists, the Werra Valley Cycle Route passes through Vachdorf on its section between Hildburghausen and Meiningen. Check current route information before setting off. Vachdorf can be reached via the B 89 or by the Werra Railway between Meiningen and Eisfeld; if travelling by train, check the current timetable.
More to Explore in the Schmalkalden-Meiningen Destination
Beyond Vachdorf, the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen offers other highlights. In Schmalkalden, visitors can experience how nougat is made at the Viba Nougat World’s glass-walled factory. Hands-on confectionery courses cover chocolate moulding, decorating nougat and creating pralines. For courses, it is advisable to check current dates and booking conditions.
Also in Schmalkalden is the “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum. The site dates from 1835; locally mined iron ore was smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. The exhibitions cover the region’s almost 1,300-year history of iron and steel goods production, including the “Schmalkalder Artikel” (Schmalkalden articles). A 45-minute guided tour explores the history and function of the blast furnace. The wider destination’s themes thus range from nougat making and confectionery to industrial heritage.
Discover more destinations: Rhönblick, Meiningen, Oberhof, Grabfeld, Birx, Obermaßfeld-Grimmenthal, Altersbach, Brotterode-Trusetal
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
