The best traffic-free bike rides around Callenberger Forst-West

Our Heldburg Forestry District comprises 12 forest districts and is also the southernmost forestry district in the Free State of Thuringia. The Heldburg region, the Gleichberge hills, and the castles of Straufhain and Heldburg are attractive destinations for forest visitors. Our district office in Heldburg is also worth seeing – a building steeped in forestry history. Our forestry district is characterized by extensive oak forests in the south – which is why the oak is the "characteristic tree species" of our district. North of the Werra River, for example around Hildburghausen, coniferous pine and spruce forests predominate, while the "Franconian Threshold" south of the Werra is characterized by beech-rich deciduous forests. Source: https://www.thueringenforst.de/ueber-uns/standorte/forstaemter/forstamt-heldburg

Admission Prices: Children up to 5 years – free Children from 6 to 13 years – €1.50 14 years and older/adults – €3.50 Children's Season Ticket – €20.00 Adult Season Ticket – €40.00 Family Season Ticket (Family Card) – €90.00 Family Season Ticket – €100.00 Opening Hours Daily 9:00 a.m. – 7:00 p.m. (weather dependent) Bad Rodach Forest Pool Zum Waldbad 2, 96476 Bad Rodach Tel.: +49 9564 1280 Email: waldbad@bad-rodach.de Source: https://www.tourismus-bad-rodach.de/waldbad/

A day at the forest pool is a truly memorable experience, especially for children and toddlers. In addition to a playground, a toddler area with a slide, and a designated non-swimmer area, older children can swim laps from the starting block in the 50-meter-long pool (approx. 1.80 to 2.00 meters deep). Restroom facilities and changing rooms, as well as changing rooms for families with a diaper changing area, are available. Source: https://www.tourismus-bad-rodach.de/waldbad/

This beautifully designed seating area, created by wood sculptor Max Müller, is located on Burgstrasse, right next to the Victoria Rondell at the beginning of the footpath to the fortress, and is part of the children's play area. Beautifully designed and decorated with carvings, the space is not only an eye-catcher but also invites you to linger for a while.

In keeping with the artistically minded sovereign's philosophy, the theatrical element was not neglected in the design of this outdoor retreat. A small arbor was created on the Commandant's Building beneath a monumental scene depicting Saint George fighting his archenemy – the dragon. Since the 19th century, the Commandant's Building has been adorned with a monumental mural depicting Saint George with the dragon. It was commissioned by Duke George II, a likely coincidence in their names. Source: https://blog.thueringerschloesser.de/veranda-fuer-den-herzog/

It makes absolute sense to create or protect such places accordingly.

For decades, a shelter has stood here; the people of Bad Rodach called it the Pavilion. The shelter was renovated in 1977. The Bavarian Border Guard undertook the work; the wood came from the Rodach Forest, and the copper roof was sponsored by the Alfred Genßler company from Rodach. This is what the laminated notice in the pavilion reads. With a little skill, you can still see Heldburg Fortress today, but tree pruning is urgently recommended.

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/