Discover Herzhausen: National Park Center, Urwaldsteig and Lake Edersee

Herzhausen offers nature and cultural experiences in several forms: at the Kellerwald National Park Center in Vöhl-Herzhausen, you can encounter the wilderness of the Kellerwald in an interactive exhibition. Hiking and cycling trails, as well as activities on Lake Edersee, which lies near Herzhausen, round out the picture.

Discover the Kellerwald at the National Park Center

The exhibition explains the wilderness of the Kellerwald, the history and background of the national park, its native species and habitats, and its significance as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A multilingual 15-minute 4D film complements the visit. Interactive activities and visitor services are also part of what the center offers. Individual exhibition elements and film availability may change; check the latest information before your visit.

The National Park Center’s restaurant focuses on seasonal ingredients and regional cuisine. Operators and opening hours may change. If you would like to combine your visit with a meal, check the latest information in advance.

Hiking trails, cycling tours and waterside activities

Herzhausen is a starting point for two Urwaldsteig circular hikes via the Hoch Stein viewpoint: the shorter loop is 8 kilometers long, and the longer one is 12 kilometers. A 19-kilometer Urwaldsteig loop passes the National Park Center, Hagenstein and the national park, and continues to the Asel-Süd ferry connection. Routes and ferry arrangements may change; check the current route and the connection at Asel-Süd before setting out.

Several named cycling routes also pass directly through Herzhausen: the Edersee Cycle Route, the Eder Cycle Route, the Hessian long-distance routes R5 and R6, the GeoRadroute Ruhr-Eder and the Orange Cycle Route. The ER 2 runs from Herzhausen toward the national park’s forests. Check the signage and route before your tour.

Fishing is possible from the shore and by boat on Lake Edersee near Herzhausen. Local facilities rent out rowing boats, paddle boats and pedal boats. Providers and permit requirements may change; check the latest conditions for fishing and boat rentals in advance.

Getting around the National Park Center

There is free parking and a family-friendly outdoor area at the National Park Center. The center provides free electric scooters for visitors with mobility impairments. You can use a scooter to explore the nearby Hagenstein route independently. Availability and reservation procedures may change; check the current options in advance.

More to discover in the wider destination of Vöhl

The wider destination of Vöhl offers additional nature and cultural experiences. In Vöhl-Asel, a bat nature trail explores the subject with interactive stations and clearly signposted information. A bat exhibition is housed in an old transformer station; infrared cameras provide live views into a maternity roost. Camera availability may change. In the evening, you can watch bats hunting—with a bat detector and night-vision device, and by prior arrangement.

At Alt-Asel stands the 60-meter-long, four-arched Eder Bridge. It is considered the best-preserved structure in the old Eder Valley and is the first structure to emerge as the water level of Lake Edersee falls. Its visibility therefore depends on the water level.

In the center of Vöhl stands the former synagogue, a simple half-timbered building constructed in 1827 and inaugurated in 1829. Today, the building is used as a venue for concerts, lectures and commemorative events. Dates vary; if you are planning your visit around an event, check the relevant program. Hessenstein Castle was built in the 14th century on the medieval trade route from Frankfurt to Hamburg. In 1922, it became the first youth hostel in Hesse.

In the municipality of Vöhl, there are nearly 50 signposted trails in addition to the long-distance Kellerwaldsteig and Urwaldsteig hiking routes. This gives you more route options in the wider destination of Vöhl, while Herzhausen—with its Urwaldsteig circular hikes—offers a specific starting point for planning a hike. Check the current signage and route before setting out.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Oberorke, Harbshausen, Obernburg, Marienhagen, Buchenberg.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Vöhl.