Bodenrode-Westhausen: Cycling Route and Local History

Discover Bodenrode-Westhausen between cycling route and local history. The Leine-Heide Cycle Route passes through the town and runs right by St. Laurentius Church in the centre of Bodenrode. Near Bodenrode, the Stations of the Cross trail offers a different experience: on a short walk, 14 images carved in stone illustrate the Passion of Jesus. Here, a long-distance cycling route, a prominent local landmark and a short walk come together.

Cycling and Local History

The Leine-Heide Cycle Route is over 420 kilometres long and connects the upland landscape of the Leinebergland with the Lüneburg Heath and the Hanseatic city of Hamburg. Its route through Bodenrode-Westhausen makes the town part of this far-reaching connection. St. Laurentius Church also lies directly on the route. The church forms the centre of the Catholic parish village of Bodenrode and dates from the 17th and 18th centuries. The cycle route and the church therefore represent not only different ways of travelling, but also a tangible connection to local history.

The Baroque Wiener Hof adds another historical use: it initially served as an inn. Together with the parish church, it points to different functions in the town – a religious centre and a former place to stop for a meal and lodging.

The Stations of the Cross trail near Bodenrode offers a different kind of route from the long-distance cycle path. Its 14 images carved in stone illustrate the Passion of Jesus and bring the religious meaning of the trail to life. Those who would rather focus on a short walk than an extended bike tour will find a clearly defined theme close to town.

More to Discover in the Wider Eichsfeld Destination

The wider Eichsfeld destination offers not only local history, but also castles, cultural sites and hiking landscapes. Bodenstein Castle was first mentioned in a document in 1098 and stands on a spur of the Ohm Mountains. Tours about the history of the former lords of the castle, the von Wintzingerode family, are regularly offered there; visitors can also visit the small chapel with its baptismal angel. If you plan to take a tour, check the latest dates in advance.

In Heilbad Heiligenstadt, the Eichsfeld Museum, housed in the Baroque Jesuit College, presents the history, culture, religious life and folklore of the Eichsfeld across three floors. Its subject matter ranges from regional history to religious and folkloric traditions. For longer hikes, the Dün and Iberg hills around Heilbad Heiligenstadt offer excellent opportunities on certified TOP hiking trails.

The castles of the Eichsfeld also offer their own highlights for visitors interested in culture and landscapes. Scharfenstein Castle has a viewing point on its terrace and a 20-metre-high tower completed in 2016. From there, the panoramic view takes in the upper Leine Valley, the Eichsfeld Basin, the Ohm Mountains and the eastern Dün; on a clear day, the Harz Mountains are also visible. In clear weather, the accessible western tower of Hanstein Castle ruins offers far-reaching views across the Eichsfeld and surrounding forests, extending as far as the Brocken in very clear conditions.

Local cuisine is also part of getting to know the region: air-dried sausage is considered an Eichsfeld speciality and is known beyond the region’s borders. The wider Eichsfeld destination thus offers more than local cycling and history, with further highlights ranging from hiking trails and viewpoints to regional traditions.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Buhla, Dingelstädt, Teistungen, Lindewerra, Büttstedt, Mackenrode, Asbach-Sickenberg, Leinefelde-Worbis

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Eichsfeld.