Destination Rhön
Untouched natural landscapes, picturesque forests, and mountains define the scenery of this mid-range mountain range. Located at the tri-border area between Bavaria, Hesse, and Thuringia, the Rhön attracts visitors with biking trails, ski resorts, and natural beauty. But the Rhön offers not only a unique mountain landscape and historic towns but also some of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany. The premium hiking trail Hochrhöner stretches approximately 180 km through the green heart of the country, past ancient towns and mystical moors. You can find peace and relaxation in one of the many spas in the region and simply let your soul unwind. Our travel experts have discovered for you which attractions are worth visiting and what you must not miss on a vacation in the mid-range mountains.
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Key Facts
The mid-range mountain range covers an area of more than 1550 km².
It borders three federal states: Thuringia, Hesse, and Bavaria.
Since 1991, the unique landscape of the Rhön has been recognized by UNESCO as a biosphere reserve.
The highest mountains are Wasserkuppe at 950 m and Kreuzberg at 928 m.
The landscape of the mid-range mountain has one of Germany's few premium hiking trails: the Hochrhöner.
52,351 people live in the Rhön, and every year countless tourists flock to this mid-range mountain range.
Over 2,000 years ago, the mountain was a contested border area by the Celts.
Sights and Popular Travel Destinations
Boredom is guaranteed not to occur in one of the most beautiful mid-range mountain ranges in Germany. The selection of exciting sports offerings, breathtaking natural landscapes, and historic sites is too vast. In particular, active vacationers will find themselves unsure of where to start in the Rhön. From hiking to tobogganing to paragliding: the region offers a diverse array of activities and sports.
- Sports paradise: snow fun for young and old. This is promised by the Wasserkuppe Ski and Toboggan Arena. The two ski schools allow beginners to stand safely on skis.
- For adrenaline junkies: In the summer, you can race down the Wasserkuppe on the 2 x 700 m long toboggan tracks. If you want to ride together, you can zigzag 1 km through forests and meadows on the Rhönbob. Want to ride with the whole family? No problem. A total hit for the whole family is the Wie-Li - a lift for up to 4 people. You can find more information about the opening hours here: http://www.sommerrodelbahnen-wasserkuppe.de/
- For small and big pilots: Visit the birthplace of gliding. In the German Gliding Museum, you can learn not only about the history of gliding but also about model flying.
- For the active: Have you always wanted to fly along the horizon like a bird? You can experience just that at Papillon Paragliding. Here you can attend one of their paragliding courses or glide down into the valley on a tandem paragliding flight.
- Unique: The Merker Experience Mine offers its visitors not only the opportunity to learn about the history of potash mining but also surprises with great attractions and events.
- For the curious: At the Fränkischen Freilandmuseum Fladungen, you can experience "old" Lower Franconia up close and learn how people lived back then.
- Join in - Experience - Enjoy. Give it a try - At the Viba Nougat World, you can witness the confectionery craft up close! Behind a glass wall, our confectioners produce nougat and chocolate products right in front of your eyes. In addition to indulging at the restaurant, there's the opportunity to participate in creative workshops. Under the guidance of a Viba confectioner, you create lovingly handmade pralines, truffles, or chocolates. Regular events take place in the Viba Nougat World, and in the Viba Shop, you can purchase the entire Viba range, from marzipan and nougat to fruity snacks and gifts for any occasion. The terrace and playground invite you to linger in the warm season, and the large ice cream counter with over 26 flavors is ever popular. 'How is the nut turned into nougat' - Learn more about this melt-in-your-mouth treat in our interactive exhibit. By the way: Snacking at the large nougat fountain is highly encouraged!
Top Excursion Destinations in the Rhön
The following top destinations received the Travelcircus recommendation seal in 2016:
- Fulda: The baroque city of Fulda invites you to linger with its medieval old town and modern city center. Whether historical buildings or splendid gardens, the historic city offers numerous leisure opportunities. Following attractions can be found in the Hesse city: - the St. Salvador Cathedral, the cathedrals form the centerpiece of Fulda's Baroque district and is also the city's landmark - the old town with its medieval core, where you can discover parts of the original city wall and restored half-timbered houses - the baroque noble palaces and the Baroque district, which includes the cathedral and the city palace - the city palace, where you can explore the "historical rooms" or visit one of the exhibitions - the Michaelskirche, one of Germany's most important medieval sacred buildings - the Franciscan Monastery Frauenberg, which offers a wonderful view over the city of Fulda and the surrounding landscape. Fulda has much more to offer. To find out what exactly, please visit: fulda.de
- Bad Neustadt: You must not miss the idyllic spa and holiday town of Bad Neustadt. Visitors can look forward to a diverse range of events. More great excursion destinations and events are: - the Salzburg, which towers on a wooded height - the medieval market, where you can admire medieval trades, minstrels, and musicians - the Triamare adventure pool, which has fun and sports pools, as well as its wellness area for every visitor - the Wellness and Activity Days IRHÖNMAN, where there is also a musical program alongside sports competitions - the Neustädter Starry Night, which lights up the city in early December and transforms it into a sea of lights - the Kurhaus, which attracts with Kneipp treatments and healing water from three sources. Want to know more about Bad Neustadt, its history, and attractions? Here you can find more exciting information: badneustadt.rhoen-saale.net
- Bad Bocklet: Bad Bocklet is not only attractive as a renowned spa town but also boasts untouched nature and fresh, clean air. The lower Franconian spa town is worth a visit for its attractions and events. Here are some of the sights you can look forward to: - the Balthasar-Neumann Spring rediscovered in 1724, Germany's most iron-rich healing spring - the romantic spa facilities of the former prince-bishops of Würzburg, which hug the Saale valley - the traditional spa garden lighting in August, where besides musical accompaniment and interesting tours, you can also expect a spectacular fireworks display. - various hiking trails along the Saale - the spring days in May, a series of events lasting 7 to 9 days with entertainment, music, and lectures - the Bavarian Rhön spa land - for wine lovers, the vineyards on the Saalestein. More information about Bad Bocklet and excursion options can be found at: badbocklet.de
- Bad Königshofen: In the small town on the Franconian Saale, in addition to impressive historical monuments and buildings, you will also find some exciting attractions and sports offerings. Nestled in the picturesque landscape of the Rhön Nature Park, Bad Königshofen offers its visitors: - the health and adventure pool Frankentherme, where you can relax in the thermal bath, take a dip in the healing water lake, or sweat in the Franconian sauna village - the Archaeological Museum Bad Königshofen, where visitors can learn about the prehistory and early history of the region - the Bad Königshofen Christmas market, that invites you to browse with festively designed shops every year on December 21 - the fairy tale forest Sambachshof nestled among splendid forests, where families can relax in nature - for nature lovers, the Haßberge Nature Park is the ideal excursion destination - Franconian lifestyle and traditions that you can experience up close at the festivals and events in the city. All this and much more awaits you in Bad Königshofen. Get an early overview of sights and all events: badkoenigshofen.rhoen-saale.net
- Meiningen: The cultural and justice center of South Thuringia delights visitors with its extensive parks and numerous classical buildings. But not just the medieval old town is considered a highlight for city tours. You should not miss the following offers: - the Meiningen Theater where you can enjoy not only plays but also ballet performances and concerts - the Theatermuseum "Magic World of Scenes" and the Literature Museum Baumbachhaus - the Goetz Cave, Europe's largest walkable cave with crevices - the Old Post Office, which today serves as a cultural event location - the Thuringian fairy tale and legend festival, where professional narrators enchant with exciting stories - city tours tracing the footsteps of Schiller or Bechstein - bike tours along the Rhön-Rennsteig or through the Haseltal. Are you interested in a visit to Meiningen? Here, you can find many more exciting details: meiningen.de/
- Gersfeld: The health-climatic spa town of Gersfeld is located in the middle of the UNESCO biosphere reserve Rhön and is therefore the perfect starting point for extended hikes and winter sports fans. In Gersfeld you can look forward to: - the Wildlife Park Gersfeld, one of the most beautiful and natural wildlife parks in Germany - the Wasserkuppe Ski and Toboggan Arena, where young and old winter sports enthusiasts can let loose - Wasserkuppe, the highest mountain in the Rhön - the Radom, where you can enjoy a 360° panoramic view over the entire Rhön - numerous health-climatic hiking trails of varying lengths and elevation profiles - paragliding and hang gliding opportunities on the Wasserkuppe - the popular summer toboggan runs in the toboggan paradise, also located on the Wasserkuppe - wellness treatments and massages in the Gersfelder Hof. There's much more to discover here. You can find many more exciting details here: gersfeld.de/
- Bad Salzungen: As an officially recognized saline spa, Bad Salzungen offers numerous relaxation options for its visitors. You can also look forward to various leisure opportunities such as hiking. Of course, that's not all Bad Salzungen has to offer. Here's what to expect: - the Burgsee, a tranquil oasis located right in the old town - the Museum in the 'Turmchen', which showcases exhibits on the history of information transmission - the Sole world Bad Salzungen, where you can choose between three pools with different salt concentrations - canoe tours on the Werra, where you can drift through untouched landscapes on one of Germany's most beautiful rivers - the Bad Salzungen planetarium, where you can participate in various events - the Türmchen museum, which fascinates visitors inside and out with its half-timbered architecture and local history museum - the Schnepfenburg, which towers 20 meters above the lake and was built in 1160. You can find more information about Bad Salzungen at: badsalzungen.de
- Tann (Rhön): In the historic town of Tann, located in the middle of the Rhön Nature Park, you can escape everyday life and enjoy nature. Due to its central location, some of the region's most beautiful destinations can be reached quickly. But Tann itself also has much to offer its visitors: - the Tann castle complex, where the ancestral hall can be visited weekly during the season as part of a guided tour - the Tann Border Museum, an information center about the former border of East Germany - the Rhön museum village, which preserves local traditions and offers a hands-on experience of history - the town gate from 1557, considered one of the landmarks of the Rhön - the Wasserkuppe, which you can also reach in just a few minutes from here - numerous other museums, including the natural history museum and the Rhön open-air museum - the city center, which helped Tann to be awarded as the most popular vacation spot in Hesse in 1999 (by the Hessian Broadcasting Corporation) - numerous bike paths, such as the Ulstertal bike path, which leads 55 kilometers through the landscape around the Ulster source. Got interested in a vacation in Tann? What else Tann has to offer can be found here: tann-rhoen.de
- Bischofsheim an der Rhön: Directly at the foot of Kreuzberg lies the historic town of Bischofsheim an der Rhön. Nestled within the Rhön biosphere reserve, visitors find peace and relaxation in unspoiled nature. Here is what you can experience and discover in Bischofsheim: - the Kreuzberg with the Franciscan monastery, pilgrimage church, and monastery brewery is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Rhön - 170 km of marked hiking trails through the beautiful landscape - an extensive mountain biking route network - the late Romanesque cent tower, the landmark of the city dating back to the 13th century - the Red Moor, a raised bog on the high plateaus of the Rhön - the landscapes in the biosphere reserve, which are best explored by bike or on foot - the picturesque Rothsee, located just two kilometers from the city, attracting visitors year-round - the climbing forest Rhön, a popular destination for active vacationers and adventure seekers. Want to learn more about Bischofsheim an der Rhön? Sure! For further information, visit: bischofsheim.info
- Bad Kissingen: The city of Bad Kissingen, located in the Bavarian part of the Rhön, impresses with its relaxation offerings and breathtaking natural landscapes. In the spa, you can also look forward to various events. Here are some of the things you can expect: - the KissSalis thermal baths, inviting you to relax over 7,000 m² - the spa theater, offering theater performances along with a selection of lectures and other events - the Luitpold casino in the spa park, one of the oldest casinos in Bavaria - the spa gardens, where you can not only take a stroll but also listen to the sounds of the spa orchestra - the Klaushof wildlife park, where you can observe native species over 30 hectares - the Kissinger Summer, the most important cultural event of the Saale city, where the international classical elite gathers each year - hiking and biking trails such as 'The Hochröhner' or the less well-known paths around the Saale valley - a variety of noteworthy castles and palaces, especially the Botenlauben castle. To learn more about what else you can do in Bad Kissingen, click here: badkissingen.de
Events
Should you ever have enough of hiking and pure relaxation, you are also in the right place in the Rhön. The mid-range mountain range offers you a great opportunity to spend your leisure time in various ways with its diverse and colorful event offerings.
- Every year, Hammelburg invites you to the Old Town Advent on the marketplace and in various old town harbors. You can enjoy a wide range of Christmas items and delicious treats.
- The Rhön Festival in Tann - one of the largest folk festivals in the regions attracts locals and vacationers with its parade, a flea market, and festive music for two days on the second weekend of September. Furthermore, the locals in the city offer a reasonable lunch special. This is a festival you shouldn't miss.
- The Mellerschter Spring is a spring festival with music and various markets, such as an arts and crafts market and a flea market.
- Under the motto "Wanderable Bischofsheim," the Bischofsheim Tourist Info organizes the so-called Hiking and Nature Experience Week every May, which enjoys great popularity among hiking fans.
- At the Böschemer City Festival in Bischofsheim an der Rhön, visitors are treated to a colorful program of festive activities and culinary offerings.
- The Bad Kissingen Rakoczy Festival takes place every year at the end of July. In addition to a musical program, visitors won't miss various culinary offerings.
- With a focus on beer, the annual Weisbacher Oktoberfest is held. Check out the traditional festival parade or experience the fantastic atmosphere in the festival tent.
Map
Off to the Rhön! The quickest way to get there is by train. However, with good traffic conditions, driving is also recommended.
Getting from Frankfurt am Main to Fulda:
If you travel by train from Frankfurt am Main to Fulda, you should plan for at least an hour. From there, you can reach the smaller towns in the region within a few minutes. The A66 will take you by car to Fulda in just 70 minutes.
Getting from Erfurt:
By train, it takes about 90 minutes from Erfurt to Fulda. By car, the fastest route is on the A4. The drive takes about 2 hours.