Discover Wallbach: Wallbach Valley and Forest of Peace

The Wallbach stream flows through the village and gave it its name. The Wallbach Valley invites hikers and nature lovers to explore the surroundings on foot. The “Am Heiligenberg” Forest of Peace offers a different focus: It is used for tree burials and was the first of its kind in Thuringia in 2014. Thus, experiencing nature and a place of remembrance are distinct themes side by side in Wallbach. When planning your trip, you can consider which focus you would like to shape your time here.

Wallbach Valley: explore the surroundings on foot

In the Wallbach Valley, the focus is on the surroundings and exploring them on foot. This offers hikers and nature lovers a nature-focused way to spend their stay. The appeal lies in exploring the surroundings for yourself; the landscape thus becomes part of the travel experience rather than just a backdrop. If you enjoy spending time outdoors, you can take this focus into account when choosing your destinations. It differs from a visit to the Forest of Peace, where a specific place and its purpose take centre stage.

“Am Heiligenberg” Forest of Peace: a place of remembrance

The Forest of Peace is used for tree burials and was the first of its kind in Thuringia in 2014. Benches, a memorial site and parking spaces are among the facilities at the site. Visitors may enter the Forest of Peace at any time from sunrise to sunset, at their own risk. Temporary closures are possible in severe weather or during maintenance work.

During a guided tour, visitors receive information about the site and can ask questions. The meeting point is the information board near the parking spaces; sturdy footwear is required. Forest tours do not take place during storms, thunderstorms or natural disasters. Group tours can be arranged individually. When planning your visit, it is helpful to distinguish between entering the Forest of Peace independently and taking part in a guided forest tour: the tour has a designated meeting point, footwear requirements and the specific cancellation conditions described above.

Culture and nature in the wider destination of Meiningen

In the wider destination of Meiningen, cultural attractions complement Wallbach’s nature and remembrance themes. Elisabethenburg Palace was built from 1682 to 1692 under Bernhard I as the residence of the Duchy of Saxe-Meiningen. It is home to the Meiningen Museums and is an important cultural monument under the patronage of the Meiningen-Eisenach Cultural Foundation. The palace museum displays works of painting, sculpture and decorative arts. The “Magic World of Stage Sets” Theatre Museum presents a stage set approximately 14 metres long, as well as costumes, theatre programmes and autograph manuscripts from the history of the Meiningen Theatre. The Church of St Mary, “Our Lady”, has towers 50 metres high and is the centrepiece of Meiningen’s old town.

Walks and monuments also shape what Meiningen has to offer: More than ten walking and hiking routes, between three and twelve kilometres long, follow in the footsteps of Johannes Brahms, Ludwig Bechstein and Friedrich Schiller. In the English Garden, at the suggestion of former Duke Georg II, monuments to Jean Paul, Johannes Brahms and Max Reger have been erected, including the world’s first monument to Johannes Brahms. The Goetz Cave is another natural attraction; it is Europe’s largest and only walkable fissure cave.

Which option is a better fit for your trip depends on which of these interests you would like to focus on.

Discover more destinations: Viernau, Rohr / Thuringia, Brotterode spa resort, Erbenhausen, Springstille, Rosa, Altersbach, Zella-Mehlis.

Go to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.