Holiday in the Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region
The Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region is located in the very centre of Germany. Nestled between the Unstrut and Werra valleys is one of the most beautiful regions in Thuringia.
IThe region combines two UNESCO World Heritage Sites: the Hainich National Park, which is one of the last remaining primeval forests in Central Europe, and Wartburg Castle, one of the most important castles in Germany. With its famous treetop trail, Hainich National Park invites you to experience nature from a completely new perspective, while Wartburg Castle impresses with its historical significance and architecture
Visitors to the Wartburg Hainich World Heritage region can visit famous towns such as Eisenach and Mühlhausen. Famous figures from German history, such as Martin Luther and Johann Sebastian Bach, have visited here.
Fancy a lot of nature? The Hainich National Park offers untouched nature reminiscent of a primeval forest and is ideal for hikes, walks and nature observations. The region is an experience at any time of year: from the spring blossoms and summer resting places to the autumnal play of colors and winter attractions. For pilgrims and hikers, the region offers signposted pilgrimage routes that not only provide spiritual tranquillity, but also breathtaking landscapes and sights.
The region is known for its Thuringian specialties and culinary traditions. From hearty dishes to regional delicacies, visitors can enjoy the variety of local cuisine.
There are so many different excursion destinations in the region, the famous world heritage site Wartburg Castle, a treetop trail in the national park or a wild cat village. It is a region for every taste.
Places of interest in the Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region
The World Heritage region Wartburg-Hainich in Thuringia – I was on tour to discover the region and was amazed by its variety. It has something for everyone’s ideal holiday.
To be honest, that is a question I never had until I visited the World Heritage region Wartburg-Hainich. I had heard of places like the Greenwich meridian or of traditions that come with crossing the equator or the arctic circle. Do they do something like that in the middle of Germany, too?
I have always wanted to see a canopy path. Fortunately, I had the chance to experience one as part of a PR trip to the world heritage region Wartburg-Hainich.
One of the greatest German composers, Johann Sebastian Bach, was born in Eisenach. The Bachhaus Eisenach is dedicated to the life and works of Bach, an unforgettable visit between tradition and modernity awaits the visitor.
High above Eisenach on a mountain range of the Thuringian Forest lies the Wartburg at an altitude of over 200 meters. It is one of the most visited places in Thuringia and offers not only castle and history lovers an unforgettable visit. The view over the region is simply indescribable!
Anyone who comes to Eisenach will deal with Martin Luther here at the latest. In the old town stands the Luther House, where a cultural history museum today recalls Luther's life.
Travel information for the region
Arrival
By car
The A4, A7, A38 or A71 motorways lead into the region. Several federal and country roads connect the towns within the region.
By train
The Wartburg Hainich World Heritage Region is easily accessible by train. There are regular services to Eisenach, Bad Langensalza and Mühlhausen. Eisenach is an ICE and IC station, which is served at fairly frequent intervals.
By bus
Eisenach is an access point for long-distance buses from all over Germany.
On the way...
By bus
The region has a dense network of routes operated by regional transport companies. In addition, there are special buses that also transport bicycles and travel to places of tourist interest (e.g. Hainichbus, Kulturerlebnisbus, NationalparkBus).
Detailed information on the buses can be found here.
By bike
Numerous signposted cycle paths lead through the World Heritage Region (e.g. Werratal Cycle Path, Unstrut Cycle Path, Unstrut-Werra Cycle Path, Herkules-Wartburg Cycle Path).
On foot
The Hainich National Park may only be entered on designated paths, which may also be used by bicycle.
There are numerous designated hiking trails in the region, such as Werra-Burgen-Steig, Lutherweg, Rennstieg.
It can be very dangerous to leave the hiking trails in some areas. This was once a military exclusion zone, which has not yet been completely cleared of explosive ordnance!