Fuldatal between paths along the Fulda and quiet valley landscapes

Fuldatal combines paths by the water with wide views across hills and valley landscapes. From Ihringshausen, car-free paths lead past the Märchenmühle or the Waldschwimmbad to the valley floor of the Fulda and the Fulda Cycle Route R1. Walks in Simmershausen, Wahnhausen, Knickhagen and Wilhelmshausen reveal village properties, quiet valley landscapes and the Fulda meander at Simmershausen. If you are planning a trip here, you can choose between cycling, walking, swimming and cultural and historical discoveries as the focus of your visit.

Cycling routes and swimming by the Fulda

From Ihringshausen, the Fulda Cycle Route R1 offers two different directions for a ride: heading upstream, it provides easy cycling, for example to the Orangery in Kassel’s Karlsaue park. Heading downstream, the cycle route runs all the way to Hann. Münden. This lets you choose your route based on a specific destination: a trip to the Orangery or a ride downstream. The car-free paths connect the starting point in Ihringshausen with the valley floor of the Fulda and the cycle route; the destinations lie along the river directions described.

The Waldschwimmbad Fuldatal in Ihringshausen is another local option. It has four heated pools for non-swimmers, swimmers, divers and small children. The groups named reflect the different swimming and bathing needs catered for by the pools. The seasonal opening schedule may vary, so check current visiting hours before your visit. This makes it possible to plan a day of swimming as a focus in its own right, without needing to combine it with a cycling trip or walk.

Hilltop views and a stop by the river

Walking routes with views can be found in Simmershausen, Wahnhausen, Knickhagen and Wilhelmshausen. The surrounding hills and slopes repeatedly open up views of village properties and quiet valley landscapes. At Simmershausen, the Fulda meander adds another striking landscape view.

In Wilhelmshausen, the riverside promenade along the route invites you to pause. Together with the views along the walks, this offers a change of pace between exploring hills and slopes and taking a break by the river. These two experiences offer a simple guide for planning your day: if you prefer viewpoints and valley landscapes, you can follow the walking routes; if you are looking for a break by the water, the riverside promenade in Wilhelmshausen is the place for it.

Churches, museums and currency reform

The Fuldatal Local History Museum in Simmershausen has a folklore section, a natural history section and a small geology section. The three areas offer different subjects to explore during a museum visit. If you plan to visit, check the opening arrangements in advance. Wilhelmshausen is also home to the Marienbasilika: this Romanesque church belongs to the former Wahlshausen Monastery. Its connection with a former monastery adds a historical dimension to the village, while the walking and riverside paths offer other ways to enjoy your stay.

The exhibition Museum of the 1948 Currency Reformfeatures newsreel reports from 1948 and eyewitness accounts at media stations. An exhibition on the currency reform was established at an authentic location in 1993 and has been presented in a newly designed format since April 2024. As exhibition details may change with updates, it is advisable to check the latest information before visiting. In Rothwesten, the secret meeting to prepare for the currency reform took place in the barracks’ former mess building, Haus Posen.

Fuldatal as a base for your trip

The options described range from the Fulda and its paths to a museum, church and exhibition.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Ahnatal, Bad Emstal, Brasselsberg, Kassel, Bad Karlshafen, Reinhardshagen, Naumburg/ Hessen, Hofgeismar.

To the main travel overview: Kassel.