Sallmannshausen lies directly at the foot of the “Böller” on the right bank of the Werra. The Sallmannshausen Rennsteig also begins here; the local history includes the Werra Mill and a preserved old weir. This gives you three clear themes to consider when planning your trip: the riverside setting, hiking, and the former use of hydropower.

Hiking and places to visit

The Sallmannshausen Rennsteig begins in Sallmannshausen. It is marked with an “S,” well signposted, and has rest areas at intervals. When considering the route, its starting point in the village and its trail features are the main points to note. The weir and Schwettrich are also considered worthwhile places to visit. When planning, you can therefore choose between a hiking route and two other destinations with different connections to the village.

Werra Mill and hydropower

Around 1890, the Voigt family acquired the Werra Mill and had the stone weir built. In 1913, the mill’s waterwheel was replaced by a turbine, which generated electricity until the mid-1940s. An old weir is also preserved in Sallmannshausen; it was originally built to harness hydropower. The mill’s history and the surviving structure offer different insights into the former use of water.

Gerstungen: museum and cycle path

In Gerstungen, the Werra Valley Museum is housed in the rooms of the old Amtsschloss (administrative castle). Its permanent exhibition, spread across two floors, presents regional history and the everyday lives of former residents. Kieselhölzer (silicified wood) and fossils from the river floodplain are among the exhibits, alongside photographs and display panels about the formation of the Werra landscape. The museum thus combines themes from the history of the landscape with insights into life in earlier times.

Also on display are numerous Neolithic tools and finds from Iron Age settlements, including pottery, urns, and jewelry. Guild chests, guild and craft books from the 17th century, as well as handcrafted products and tools, illustrate crafts and everyday life. Recreated utility rooms, a barn, kitchen, and living room complement the collection. An extensive collection of Werra pottery includes colorful rural earthenware made in the region. The exhibits also differ in kind: settlement finds are archaeological objects, while the barn, kitchen, and living room are recreated spaces in the museum, offering a spatial glimpse into the everyday lives of former residents.

For a cycling trip in Gerstungen, the family-friendly Werra-Suhltal Cycle Path is another option. It runs for about 33 kilometers from Bad Salzungen to Gerstungen on the Thuringia-Hesse state border. Unlike the hiking trail that begins in Sallmannshausen, this route has an approximate length and both endpoints specified—another basis for planning when choosing between cycling and hiking.

Gerstungen railway station is one option for traveling to the Middle Werra Valley. If you plan to use it for your trip, check the current timetable in advance.

For the broader travel overview: Gerstungen.