Discover Fulda: the Rhön, culture and nature

In the Fulda destination, you can include nature, outdoor activities and culture in your travel plans. The Rhön offers opportunities for hiking and cycling in the Fulda district; there are also nature and educational activities, events and topics relating to cultural history. The following regional themes provide some guidance.

Hiking, cycling and nature in the Rhön

The Rhön in the Fulda district offers opportunities for hiking and cycling. The Wasserkuppe is the highest mountain in Hesse and one of the district’s notable landmarks. This gives you both active exploration and a particularly prominent natural landmark to consider when planning your trip. Choose a hotel based on which of these interests matter most during your stay.

The work of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve also enriches the educational landscape in the Fulda district. This includes Junior and Senior Ranger activities, as well as the certification of biosphere schools and daycare centers. Hundreds of events take place every year, including nature and adventure tours and markets. These examples range from educational programs to activities focused on nature and the landscape. Individual events and dates may vary; check the current program for your travel dates.

The Rhön beyond the district

Protected areas and trails in the Rhön also offer guidance beyond the district. The Hessian Rhön Nature Park was designated in 1962. In 1991, UNESCO recognized the cross-state Rhön region as a biosphere reserve. The Hochrhöner® is a premium hiking trail that crosses open ridges with far-reaching views. The biosphere reserve offers ranger-led tours and excursions for tourists focusing on flora, fauna and the cultural landscape; the reserve also includes citizen science projects open to participants. Dates and booking arrangements may vary for specific tours. If you plan to take part in these activities, check the relevant dates and participation options in advance.

Cultural events and their venues

The Main-Kinzig-Fulda Cultural Summer has been held for more than 27 years. More than 100 events in music, theater, art exhibitions, literature and other fields receive support as part of the festival. The venues are spread across the Main-Kinzig district and the Fulda district. For your planning, the specific event, date and venue matter: the festival’s name alone does not tell you where an individual program item will take place. If an event date is the main focus of your trip, take these details into account when choosing where to stay.

History, fossils and regional products

Near Danzwiesen, at the foot of the Milseburg, lie the remains of a ring wall. They are considered evidence of early Celtic settlement. In Poppenhausen (Wasserkuppe), the Sieblos Museum displays a wide range of fossil finds from the Rhön and offers insight into the work of local fossil collector Hugo Schubert. These are distinct themes: the ring wall as a trace of early settlement, and the fossils as a glimpse into the geological history of the Rhön. If you plan to visit the museum, check the latest visitor information in advance.

Regional foods are another theme: the Rhön quality seal “Quality of the Biosphere Reserve! The Rhön” is awarded to regionally produced food from value chains that align with the goals of the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. The seal thus connects regional production with the reserve’s goals and complements the nature and culture themes with a look at food and its value chains.

Discover more destinations: Dipperz, Hünfeld, Schenklengsfeld, Petersberg, Neuhof, Künzell, Hofbieber, Hilders, Eichenzell, Bad Salzschlirf, Fulda, Nüsttal, Tann, Ebersburg, Kalbach, Haselstein, Ehrenberg, Gersfeld, Hosenfeld, Großenlüder, Flieden, Burghaun, Poppenhausen, Eiterfeld, Rasdorf.

See the broader travel overview: Hesse.