The Feldatal cycle path (Thuringia, not to be confused with Feldatal in Hesse) leads from Fladungen in Lower Franconia along the Felda river (Thuringia) to Dorndorf im Werra Valley . Various information about the endpoints can be found on the Internet: one time it's Reichenhausen (Thuringia), another time Schafhausen or Weimarschmieden. The bike path follows the former Feldabahn as well as the B 285. The railway line is not always used.
Route profile
- Length: 38 km to Schafhausen, 46 km to Fladungen
- Signposting: Standard-compliant signposting with your own logo to Schafhausen. In Bavaria only local signposts.
- Slopes: downstream it goes steadily downwards. Kaltensundheim is at 460 m above sea level. NHN, Dorndorf at 250 m above sea level. NHN.
- Path condition: paved bike paths, short sections with a water-bound cover. Mostly water-bound between Melpers and Schafhauesn.
- Traffic load: the route is largely free of traffic, almost a Voie Verte. Between Melpers and Fladungen next to the main road.
- Suitable bike: Touring bike with gear shift
- Family suitability: suitable
- Inline suitability: particularly suitable: Dorndorf - Dietlas, Menzengraben-Stadtlengsfeld - Diedorf, Fischbach - Kaltennordheim
background
The landscape in this calm and green valley is that Thuringian Rhön to be expected. Apart from the industrial culture of the lost potash mining, there is little to discover.
With the decline of industry in the Feldatal after the reunification of Germany, so too was the fate of the railway line Feldabahn sealed. After the closure in 2003, there were plans to use the route for other purposes: In 2008, the rails between Weilar and Kaltennordheim were removed. Here should be a Bike path on the railway line arise. At the moment [2017] it looks like that around 15 km of the former railway line will be used. In Diedorf, the expansion is blocked because of a planned bypass road. In the lower Feldatal, parallel, originally unpaved farm roads were used for reasons that are not known in detail. These paths have recently been greatly improved. The embankment now protects against the noise of the omnipresent federal road.
In the south there is a connection to the Bavarian network, with the possibility of reaching the Main. A return to the Werra is also feasible.
preparation
A look at the weather map can't hurt.
getting there
Public transportation
The direct journey by train turns out to be cumbersome. The easiest way to get to the cycle path from Bad Salzungen is via the Werra valley cycle path (approx. 12 km). Bad Salzungen can be reached with the SüdThüringenBahn and is on the Eisenach - Meiningen route.
By bicycle
Dorndorf is by bike over the Werratal cycle path reachable. From the Werra valley near Wernshausen on the Rosatalradwandersteig to Weilar. Those who are not afraid of the mountains can also access the Feldatal from the Ulstertal (Ulstertal cycle path) to reach. An interesting variant is the access via Oechsen [1](Oechsenbahn / Emberg cycle path) from Buttlar an der Ulster to Dermbach.
In the street
From Eisenach (A4 motorway) via the B84 and B62 to Dorndorf (around 40 km). From the A7 Fulda-Kassel via Bad Hersfeld (A4) via the B62 towards Friedewald and Philippsthal to Dorndorf (45 km), or from the A7 via the B84 Hünfeld - towards Eisenach to Dorndorf (40 km).
Route description with sights (upstream)
Due to the poor traffic connections, it is advisable to cycle up the river. You can decide how long the tour should be and then turn back. Dorndorf is the easiest to get to. Beyond Kaltennordheim, the quality of the route declines significantly.
The most important places along the route are:
- Dorndorf - Dietlas - Menzengraben - Stadtlengsfeld - Weilar - Dermbach - Neidhartshausen - Diedorf - Fischbach- Kaltennordheim - Kaltensundheim
- Dorndorf: Entry into the bike route, bike and hiking hostel (limited number of places, keys and information in the Kulturhaus Dorndorf)
- Dorndorf - Dietlas: After crossing the railway line, first next to the road, then on a new paved path to the former Dietlas stop. Scenic route directly on the Felda (2.7 km).
- Dietlas - Menzengraben: Well signposted, partly asphalted route through the Feldaauen between the former railway line and the river (3.3 km). In Dietlas, the buildings of the disused mining machine factory from GDR times are falling apart.
- Menzengraben - Stadtlengsfeld: New part of the cycle path, asphalt, wide roadway on the slope above the valley (2.9 km). The ruins of the old potash mining buildings can serve as a landmark.
- Stadtlengsfeld - Weilar: Nice new section, paved to Weilar (2.9 km). From there, the railway cycle path is to be built. A short piece of cobblestone street in Weilar town center.
- Weilar - Dermbach: Pure railway line, meadows to the left and right (6 km)
- → Connection to the Rosatal cycle path.
- Dermbach - Neidhartshausen - Diedorf - Fischbach: Asphalt and red railings. After Neidhartshausen, it is possible to take a detour to Zella to the Probstei and the Baroque church, which are clearly visible from the path. Approx. 500 m before Diedorf (approx. 350 residents who want a bypass) the railway cycle path ends and we cycle on a gravel farm road, which makes a provisional impression (see photo). Local roads follow. (8.5 km)
- Fischbach - Kaltennordheim: beautiful, new asphalt railway cycle path, partly through forest. (3.5 km)
- Kaltennordheim - Kaltensundheim: uphill on a well-prepared (asphalted) route through the open landscape of the Rhön (2.4 km). Kaltennordheim lies at 440 m above sea level. NHN, the mountain in front of Kaltensundheim is 470 m above sea level. NHN
- Continue to Schafhausen Signposted, the quality of the route clearly decreases ("bad route", but asphalt). Further slopes and "wilderness" await behind Schafhausen.
- Melpers: smallest municipality in the district of Schmalkalden-Meiningen and the last bastion in Thuringia. From here you cycle next to the B 285.
- Fladungen (Lower Franconia): often mentioned as the end point of the route (not tested). From here on it runs on certain days Rhön-Zügle, a museum train, heading south.
- → Connection to the Rhön-Rennsteig cycle path with the possibility of returning to the Werra
- → Connection to the Streutal cycle path (alongside the road next to the B 285)
security
To complain about are the post locks, similar to that Milseburgradwegthat have already led to serious accidents there. The main road is now largely bypassed or submerged.
connections
References to literature and maps
Web links
- Bahnrassenradwege.de - Images, information and tracks to download
- Bahnrassenradeln.de TH14
- Discover Thuringia
- Feldatalradweg on rhönführer.de - Route, pictures, sights
- Route in Cycle route planner Thuringia - old history
