Fischbach combines its location on the banks of the Felda and among the Rhön mountains with the Hexenpfad, whose longer route can be shortened to two shorter circular routes if needed. For planning an overnight stay, the “Schule im Grünen” school camp is a specific point of reference: it lists target groups, group sizes and the number of beds. Half-timbered houses and the town’s first documentary mention also provide a historical setting. This makes it possible to plan a stay around the landscape, route length and accommodation options.
Fischbach between the Felda and the Rhön
Fischbach lies on the right bank of the Felda, among the Rhön mountains. The Sommertal core zone is located above Fischbach, a district of Kaltennordheim. Fischbach has several listed and noteworthy half-timbered houses. The first documentary mention dates back to 837. This sets a written reference point for the town’s history alongside the half-timbered houses as two different perspectives on Fischbach.
The Hexenpfad: Length and themes
The Hexenpfad is about 5.8 kilometres long and can be shortened to circular routes of 2 or 4 kilometres if needed. This offers a choice of different route lengths without having to find a different route. The trail crosses Fischbach’s varied countryside, along traditional sheep pastures and beneath ancient giant trees. Information boards and installations share insights into the Rhön’s cultural landscape, its preservation through landscape management, and the importance of grazing for flora and fauna. Another twenty information boards introduce children and adults to rare animal and plant species from different habitats with brief descriptions.
Accommodation and guided hikes
The “Schule im Grünen” school camp in Fischbach has six bedrooms and shared rooms with a total of 50 beds on two floors. It is intended for school classes, families and groups of ten or more. Examples of occasions given by the accommodation include children’s birthday parties, family celebrations and company outings. It also offers overnight accommodation for hikers and holidaymakers. As capacity may change, confirm the number of beds and specific arrangements directly with the operator before booking.
On request, llamas and alpacas accompany hikers from the school camp to destinations such as the information centre of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in Zella or along the trails of the Rhönpaulus in the Ibengarten. This accompaniment is offered by the school camp and is available on request; arrange the details directly with the accommodation.
Culture in the wider destination of Kaltennordheim
You can find more cultural attractions in the wider destination of Kaltennordheim. St Kilian’s Church in Kaltennordheim was built in the 14th century as a successor to a wooden church. St Nicholas’s Church was built in 1597 as the second and larger church within the town. The museum barn of the Kaltennordheim local history museum displays historical agricultural implements and depicts everyday rural life, including baking, dairy processing and food storage. The “Auf alten Spuren” guided tour is available on request and includes, among other places, St Kilian’s Church, the historic old town and the surviving town wall.
The “Heiratsmarkt” in Kaltennordheim is also a cultural attraction in its own right: it takes place every year at Pentecost and was first held in 1563. In the 19th century, it developed into a folk festival in the Thuringian Rhön. As the exact date varies from year to year, check the date for your travel year if you plan to visit the market.
Discover more destinations: Ruhla, Krayenberggemeinde, Gerstungen, Schleid, Neidhartshausen, Klings, Andenhausen and Eisenach.
Back to the wider travel overview: Wartburg.
