Discover Leinefelde-Worbis: Reservoir, Garden and Half-Timbered Houses

Leinefelde-Worbis offers a variety of attractions: the Leine rises in a spring area in Leinefelde’s old town; the Green Axis is a landscape-architectural link between the town centre and nature. In Worbis, numerous well-maintained half-timbered houses dating from the transition between the Baroque and Biedermeier periods define the town centre. There are also waterside hiking trails, a Japanese Garden and historic castles. When planning your trip, consider whether you want your stay to focus on nature, culture or a combination of the two.

Water, Hiking Trails and Nature Experiences

A circular trail directly around the Birkunger Reservoir invites you to go hiking. Guided hikes on the TOP hiking trails Bodenstein and Scharfenstein can be booked through the Leinefelde-Worbis municipal administration. Scheduled hikes also take place in Leinefelde-Worbis; some are led by volunteer hiking guides. Check dates and booking options in advance; you can find the specific hiking dates in the events calendar.

In the area around Birkungen, you can enjoy extended rides through forests and countryside on trained riding-school horses. Check current availability before making plans. At the Alternative Bear Park, visitors can observe bears and a pack of wolves in a large open-air enclosure. A tunnel-like path leads right through the enclosure, offering a unique perspective on the park.

Gardens, Half-Timbered Houses and Castle History

The Japanese Garden was designed by Prof. Kazuhisa Kawamura. His connection with the then-town of Leinefelde came about through participation in Expo 2000. Once a year, the garden hosts a summer festival with a varied programme for children and the whole family, usually on the last Thursday of the summer holidays. The exact date varies; check the specific announcement if you want to plan your stay around it.

In Worbis town centre, numerous well-maintained half-timbered houses tell the story of the transition between the Baroque and Biedermeier periods. At Scharfenstein Castle, visitors can learn more about whisky-making in a historic castle setting. For a specific visit, it is best to check the latest visitor information. Bodenstein Castle was first mentioned in an official document in 1098 and stands on a mountain spur in the Ohm Mountains. Today, the castle complex is a family education and retreat centre run by the Protestant Church.

Choose Your Travel Dates Based on Your Interests

When planning, it makes a difference whether you want to work around a set date or choose your own hiking day. The summer festival takes place every year, but the exact date varies; guided hikes also have set dates. By contrast, the reservoir trail lets you choose your own hiking day. If a festival or guided hike is the deciding factor, plan around its date. When looking for accommodation, you can first decide which experiences matter most to you: outdoor activities, the family festival in the Japanese Garden, or half-timbered houses and castle history.

Explore More of the Eichsfeld

The wider Eichsfeld destination offers another way to explore the region: the Leine-Heide Cycle Route starts in Leinefelde and ends in Hamburg. Another regional attraction is the Eichsfeld Museum, housed in Heilbad Heiligenstadt’s Baroque Jesuit College. Spread across three floors, it explores the history, culture, religious life and folklore of the Eichsfeld.

Discover More Destinations

Breitenbach, Helmsdorf, Dingelstädt, Wahlhausen, Geismar, Teistungen, Heilbad Heiligenstadt and Lutter.

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