Discover Weisbach: Farm visits, woodcarving and architectural history

In Weisbach, insights into agriculture, traditional woodworking and architectural history are all concrete themes for a stay. The Hartmann organic farm offers a look at organic farming, you can watch traditional woodcarving in Thomas Eyring’s workshop, and the Catholic parish church brings together architectural elements from different periods. The broader destination of Oberelsbach offers further, distinct cultural, nature and activity options.

Farm visits and woodcarving

The Hartmann organic farm in Weisbach is a certified farm offering visitor experiences and demonstrations of organic farming. Group activities cover topics including organic farming, livestock, chickens and eggs, as well as grain, soil and water. Hands-on activities give these topics a practical dimension; refreshments may also be available. Group activities can be arranged by prior agreement.

A different way to experience craftsmanship is to visit Thomas Eyring’s workshop on Rhönbergstraße, where you can watch traditional woodcarving in action. Please arrange your visit with the workshop in advance. The two experiences offer different perspectives: the farm focuses on pre-arranged group activities covering various agricultural topics, while the workshop offers the chance to watch woodcarving.

Church architecture from different periods

The Catholic parish church of the Feast of the Chair of St Peter and St Bartholomew is a listed historic building. Its features include a former late-medieval chancel tower and late Gothic windows. Two Renaissance portals complement the building; one is dated 1605. The nave dates from 1966/69, and the churchyard gate is dated 1613. Together, these architectural elements reflect different historical phases, rather than all belonging to the same period.

In the broader destination of Oberelsbach

The cultural calendar there includes the Rhön Mask Carnival, held by the Oberelsbach market town every two years. Spanmänner, Fosenöchter and other participants parade through the streets in traditional costumes and with historic wooden masks. The public is invited. Its regular two-year cycle sets the event apart from an annual celebration.

Hiking trails can also be compared by length and difficulty. The moderate circular trail “Rhön Circular Trail 1 – Five Districts” is 15.9 km long and connects all five districts of the Oberelsbach market town. The shorter “Rhön Circular Trail 9 – Butterfly Educational Trail” is 4.4 km long and rated easy. It is suitable for families and prams; information boards along the way explain the habits of native butterfly species. Together, these offer a longer, moderately challenging circuit and a shorter, easy route as different hiking options.

A permanent exhibition at the Rhön Biosphere Centre, Haus der Langen Rhön, in Oberelsbach provides information about the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. There is also a rally for children: Elsbeth the Rhön sheep asks questions and encourages them to look closely. This lets children combine a visit to the exhibition with a discovery activity of their own.

The certified premium circular trail “Hochrhöntour” is around 15 km long and leads through meadows and forests, passing the Thüringer Hütte, Basaltsee and Schwabenhimmel. The 180 km-long Rhön Cycle Path offers a different perspective: it runs from Bad Salzungen in Thuringia to Hammelburg in Bavaria and crosses Oberelsbach roughly halfway along its route. The hiking routes and cycle path therefore offer different ways to explore the region.

Nature and the night sky are also part of Oberelsbach. The Oberelsbach market town includes five nature reserves. All street lighting in Oberelsbach is designed to protect the night sky; the Rhön International Dark Sky Park received its designation in 2014.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Unterelsbach, Sondernau.

View the broader travel guide: Oberelsbach.