Attractions and Places To See around Hessisch Lichtenau - Top 20

nicely laid out cycle path - partly very busy on weekends

🖐️ Melsungen. Always happy to go back. From Witzenhausen, you can even reach it in the morning (7:37 a.m.) by a "through" train. You "simply stay" on this train at Kassel Central Station and then continue towards Bad Hersfeld, arriving in Melsungen at the station at 9:05 a.m. You can also get off at the Bartenwetzer Bridge. Then you're right in the middle of the city and, if you travel on a Thursday, which I highly recommend, in the middle of a beautiful market that leaves nothing to be desired. And why is this a cycling highlight? If you've only ever taken the train? Quite simply. After a refreshment at the market, the return journey follows the "water," now by bike/e-bike for about 85 km, first along the Fulda River to Kassel, then on to Hann. Münden, and then, changing direction, along the Werra River to Witzenhausen. And if you can't take it any longer, there are one or two "milk cans" along the way where you can take the train again. 😉

A beautiful cycle path along the Fulda, well signposted and well-developed roads are largely avoided

For the Niester giants, the giant legend of the two castles Sichelnstein and Sensenstein is spun on. Burg Sensenstein, which prevented Otto the Quaden from invading Hesse, was a thorn in his side. In his anger he made a pact with the devil. In exchange for his soul, the devil threw a huge stone at the Scythe Stone. But he was protected by God and the stone fell into the Niestetal. The devil flew away, but Otto did not give up and made a pact with the giants. At night they should sneak to the scythe stone and smash it. However, the forest around the castle was protected by a ghost and his dwarves and elves. They confronted the giants, but when they attacked anyway, the spirit froze them and grew into mighty trees. The real story, however, is a bit less spectacular. The Niester Riesen is a test area from 1887. At that time, the Kaufunger Forest forestry office planted various exotic species on behalf of Prussia in order to investigate the growth and wood quality of exotic tree species. The Niester giants are actually a scenic highlight, as they are in the middle of the normal forest and the site with the redwoods, Douglas firs and more clearly stands out. The small (yet somehow large) arboretum is enhanced by information boards.

A trip to the huge trees is worthwhile. The pictures do not really capture the actual size. They are gigantic 🌳

Impressive giant trees can be admired here.

A rarity in Northern Europe - go there, touch, smell and enjoy

Beautiful hiking trail with cultural delicacies