Top 20 Natural Monuments around Calden

With its striking shape, the Hoher Dörnberg is the landmark of the Habichtswald Nature Park, where archaeological finds confirm settlement during the Ice Age. Its geology and cultural history, as well as its unique flora and fauna, have long attracted many people. Species-rich juniper heaths, the treeless plateau, and the striking Helfensteine rocks offer a diverse range of hiking opportunities.

The Hohe Dörnberg was selected in 2020 by the Presidium for Geosciences and Geotechnologies and certified with the title "National Geotope"! This award has been presented since 2006. There are a total of 77 significant geotopes in Germany, ten of which are in Hesse. – The Hoher Dörnberg is one of them! He is thus in a row with the "Chalk Cliffs on Rügen" or the "Grube Messel". Source: https://www.naturpark-habichtswald.de/media/attractions/doernberggebiet#/article/d63cc544-5258-4cb6-80bd-4bedddd3edbf

Here you enter a place steeped in history: finds from prehistoric times prove a settlement as early as the Neolithic Age. The oldest pottery sherds found here date from the 6th and 5th centuries BC. The ramparts on the largest rock of the Helfenstein, with an artificial ditch about 100 meters long from the 12th/13th century, indicate a former high medieval castle.

Easy to hike mountain peak with a great view. The summit tour is to be embedded in a beautiful circular hike. Flyers for the possible path constellations are available in the nature park center at the Helfensteinen. The stamping point for the summiteers of North Hesse is also located near the summit.

The water bubbles over the cascades, the Steinhöfer waterfall, the Devil's Bridge and falls over the aqueduct and the Peneus cascades down to the castle pond. Here the water pressure causes the "Great Fountain" to shoot up over 50 meters. This spectacle is the conclusion and highlight of the water games. Always on Wednesdays, Sundays and on public holidays at certain times.

The statue, which is considered a landmark of the city of Kassel, is located at the top of a pyramid that stands on the octagon, the giant castle. Today, the name "Hercules" not only stands for the statue, but for the entire building, which is also the starting point for the summer water games in the mountain park. The octagon and the Hercules go back to different construction phases. Since June 23, 2013, the Hercules - as part of the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe - has been on the UNESCO World Heritage List as an example of absolutist architecture.

In 1696, Landgrave Carl von Hessen-Kassel decided to create a mountain park directly behind his Weißenstein hunting lodge, which was to be on a par with the gardens of Versailles. The Huguenot inventor Denis Papin was to develop a steam-powered fountain for this purpose, as he was one of the developers of the first steam engine. Since there were repeated setbacks, Papin was no longer financed and Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz declined due to lack of interest. Instead, a 60 m long model for a mountain park was designed with the Italian architect Guerniero, of which only a third was ultimately realized. From 1701, the expansion for the elaborate water features began, which only took place 13 years later for the first time. Instead of using steam power, the fountains now worked exclusively with the water pressure from a higher pond. The water covers a height difference of 320 m over a 2 km flow distance. The finale is a 50 m high fountain, which shoots up solely due to the water pressure. With these impressive water features, Landgrave Carl wanted to express the power of his county on the one hand, and the power of man over nature. Over 130 years, his successors expanded the mountain park. Only when the county was abolished by Prussia did the expansion come to an end, but Prussian rulers such as Kaiser Wilhelm II also liked to stay in Kassel, where they used the Bergpark. The site was preserved and still functions as it did more than 300 years ago. A visit to the mountain park is a must! If you want to hike the entire park, you should be able to walk well and plan enough time and a few meters of altitude. The always new views and numerous sights are worth all the effort. Even without the water games, which take place every Wednesday and Sunday, the mountain park is a unique attraction. Those who are not good on foot should at least enjoy the incredible view of Kassel in front of the Hercules.

You have a great view of Kassel. For 6 euros you can go up the Herkukes.