The 8 Most Amazing Peaks around Hellingen

On the path leading up to Heldburg Fortress in Thuringia, you'll eventually come across a linden tree split in two. A sign is attached to the hollow of this tree, and I'd like to tell you about it now: "Castle Linden of Heldburg Fortress – Large-leaved Summer Linden. Wanderer, pause! Read my story here: In 1791, I was planted by the then Ducal Court Secretary, Johann Daniel Bechmann (1768-1826), from Heldburg. That's why I was also called the Bechmann Linden. Around 1960, lightning destroyed my beautiful crown and split the trunk. Duke George II of Saxe-Meiningen (1826-1914) and his wife, Baroness von Heldburg (1839-1923), often lingered in the shade of its spreading branches when they resided here at the fortress during the summer months." Source: https://menosgada.wordpress.com/2013/02/07/die-schlosslinde-der-veste-heldburg/

The climb is a bit difficult, but the view from a great wooden bench makes up for it.

The place was first mentioned in documents in 1100 as a settlement under the name “Glychon”. In the years that followed, the settlement split into “Glychin am Berg” (today’s Gleichamberg) and “Glychon an der Wysen” (today’s Gleicherwiesen). Gleichamberg is located on the southeast slope of the Großer Gleichberg, two kilometers from the Bavarian border. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gleichamberg

The 867 meter high Bleßberg summit with its observation tower, newly built in 1997, offers a unique view of Franconia, the Fichtel Mountains, the Rhön and the Thuringian Forest. On the horizon you can see the striking contours of the Staffelstein near Lichtenfels, the Vierzehnheiligen pilgrimage church, the Veste Coburg, almost within reach, and a silhouette of the Banz monastery. The Bleßberg plateau can be reached on well-developed hiking trails from all directions and during the day by car directly from the B 281 near the Werraquelle Siegmundsburg. We recommend the short, steep climb starting from the Itzquelle Stelzen and a hike along the historic border path below the Siegmundsburg Werraquelle. The hiking trails are groomed in winter using modern cross-country skiing technology, so a visit to this snow-sure area is worthwhile even in winter. The observation tower and the hiking lodge are open all year round. Source:https://www.stadt-eisfel

Everything about the restaurant can be found here: https://restaurant-veste-heldburg.de/helen-e-restaurant-und-caffee.html

The Helene castle restaurant has now opened and welcomes its guests. From the terrace you have a great view of the Gleichbergen, the Straufhain and the Henneberger Warte near Bad Rodach. The pictures were taken from the terrace around the new building. It's open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., good to know.

The ruins of the hilltop castle are located on the summit of the Straufhain, which at 449 m above sea level is the highest elevation in the Heldburg region. The old name for the castle was "Struphe" and later "Strauf". The later name "Straufhain" for the forest surrounding the castle (a hornbeam and oak forest) is now used equally for the forest, the mountain and the castle ruins. Until recently, the Straufhain ruins were largely hidden by dense deciduous forest and could only be seen from the valley in winter. After clearing the lines of sight, the ruins are again visible from afar throughout the year. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgruine_Straufhain

Straufhain Castle is the ruin of the medieval "Struphe Castle" on the Straufhain mountain near Streufdorf in the Hildburghausen district in Thuringia, Germany. Source: https://de.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burgruine_Straufhain