The Hero stone is a panoramic mountain on the central Werra. It lies in the area of the former inner-German border between Hit time and Wanfried. Due to its exposed location in the central Werra Valley, the elevation also bears the title "King of the Werra Valley"
background
Tower of Unity - from enemy to friendship symbol
The first observation tower was built on the elevation as early as 1890.
After the Second World War, this tower was demolished in 1952 and the mountain restricted area. This was followed by the construction of monitoring systems with a radar tower. Soldiers were stationed at the summit and STASI operated the wiretapping systems. During the Cold War era, the Heldrastein was now a listening post from the East.
After the fall of the Wall, the radar tower changed from being an "enemy" to a "symbol of friendship". Due to the efforts of the local population on both sides of the border, the tower was not dismantled, but transformed into today's observation tower in 1996 with the help of EU funds and numerous donations from the region. Today the building bears the symbolic name "Tower of Unity". The supporting structure of the guyed structure is made of aluminum.
A comprehensive, historical documentation of the Heldrastein is on the website of the Interest group Heldrastein to find.
getting there
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In the street
- The supraregional approach is via the B 7 Kassel - Eisenach.
- Between Ifta and Creuzburg then turn onto the B 250 in the direction of Treffurt.
- In Schnellmannshausen, turn off towards the Heldrastein parking lot. This can be reached via a steep asphalt road. According to Openstrettmap, there is one here 1 Hikers' car park above Schnellmanshausen (gravel road on foot to the summit) at the edge of the forest at an altitude of 320 m. From here you can continue uphill on foot or by bike (about 2 km simply on a steep gravel road to the mountain with about 200 meters of altitude).
- Most beautiful and shortest way to the summit: from 2 Parking lot "Am Trift" on the stairway on the Schnellmannshausen - Großenburschla road, about 2 km after leaving Schnellmannshausen. From here an attractive stepped path leads up the mountain (more than 400 steps with a difference in altitude of around 160 meters; path length: 1.1 km; so quite steep, but easy and safe to walk even when there is a cover of autumn leaves). See also the "On foot" section. About halfway there is a possibility of viewing towards Normannstein Castle above Treffurt.
By train
The nearest railway lines on the mountain are Göttingen - Bebra and Bebra - Eisenach (both approx. 20 km away). It is therefore advisable to travel by bike and train or with your own car.
With the bike
The best way to travel by bike is via the Werratal cycle path (next train station in the Werra Valley: Eschwege-Stadtbahnhof or Hörschel). A hike from the village of Heldra on the Werra cycle path up the mountain is ideal (see section on foot). Alternatively, the Heldrastein summit can also be reached by bike from Schrapfendorf or Volteroda in the southeast or Ifta or Wolfmannsgeheu in the south on forest roads, with over 300 meters of altitude to be overcome compared to the Werra valley.
On foot
Hike from Heldra: Distance: approx. 2.5 km easy with an altitude difference of 340 meters; Walking time: about 1 hour uphill; the upper part is a stairway with more than 400 steps. The hiking trails are not for bicycles. Connect wheels in Heldra.
You can get one from the village of Heldra nice hike take to the mountain. To do this, you cross the Werra at the 1 Dirt road bridge at Heldra and goes by bike to the edge of the forest (at about 180 m above sea level). You can park your bike here (you have to leave your car in the village of Heldra). On foot it goes up through the mixed forest (partly over stairs) to the Grossenburschla - Schnellmannshausen road. Here at the car park at 340 m altitude you have made about half the height and the way. It is "only" 1.1 km to the summit. By the way, there are covered rest areas at the parking lot.
The actually interesting part of the trail begins at the parking lot. A well-developed stepped path continues steeply uphill through the beech forest. If you want to take a breather along the way, you can use the benches along the way. Sometimes you have beautiful valley views. You are steadily approaching the north-facing falls of the Heldrastein, which the path overcomes in a final act of strength. After more than 400 steps, the summit plateau is reached at a height of around 490 m. Up to the summit (503.8 m) it is approx. 400 - 500 comfortable meters from here on a wide driveway.
Hiking plan see map here on the premium hiking trail P 6 on Werratal-Tourismus.de. The direct route described above from the Werra to the parking lot on the country road is shown on the map with yellow dots as an abbreviation. The upper stairway is probably part of the new premium path P 6.
mobility
The mountain, which is designated as a nature reserve, is not accessible by motor vehicle. However, there are numerous hiking trails to choose from on foot. From the south-west from Schnellmannshausen there is also a steep driveway leading up the mountain. This path is suitable for pushchairs and bicycles.
Tourist Attractions
- 2 Tower of unity - The 25 m high tower is usually freely accessible. Do not be put off by the possibly closed entrance grille. It's just ajar. Entry to the building is free. However, the interest group Heldrastein asks for a donation for the maintenance of the tower (Donation box at the tower entrance). From the tower room you have views in all directions through various windows (cannot be opened). There is a tower book in the room that you can write in. On the walls there are documents (newspaper articles, etc.) that tell about the history of the region during the Cold War and at the time of the fall. There is also a two-step footstool for children so that they can look out of the window too.
- 1 Viewing terrace with a panoramic view of the Werra valley - From the freely accessible vantage point on the cliff you have a beautiful view of the Werra valley, which is 300 m below. Distance boards explain the panorama. Those who want to get closer to the view can use coin-operated binoculars (50 cents). A summit book is also available for entries. Picnic tables and benches are also provided.
- 3 "Dreiherrenstein" - Another rugged rock cliff west of the summit. From the viewing terrace, a hiking path leads directly to the Dreiherrenstein (approx. 1.2 km easy from the Heldrastein summit). Nice view of the Werra valley and over to the Heldrastein.
- 4 Hueneburg - Of the castle complex itself, only an overgrown wall can be seen in the forest (about 800 m east of the summit above the stairway). But there is a beautiful valley view.
- Nature trail on the summit plateau
activities
- hike - Year-round group tours for all age groups from kindergarten, schools, clubs, company outings to senior citizens; Registrations: Tel. 05655/8259
- Premium circular hiking trail P 6 from Wanfried-Heldra up the mountain - 12 km walking time with 4 hours; Route in OpenStreetMap; Route information with map here on Werratal-Tourismus.de
kitchen
- The Florian-Henning-Hütte is always open from May 1st to October 31st Sunday managed by IG Heldrastein. The heated refuge is then open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The proceeds from the sales are reinvested in the facilities on the mountain.
accommodation
- There is no overnight accommodation on the mountain.
- But in Hit time, Schnellmannshausen or Heldra can stay overnight, e.g. B. in the www.Steube-Heldra.de (Apartment).
Practical advice
Cell phone reception is possible on the mountain, because you have a panoramic view of 80 km.
literature
- Cycling and hiking map of the Wartburg district, Scale 1:50 000, ISBN 3869730730 , 6,00 €, Municipal publishing company Nordhausen
- Eschwege cycling and hiking map, Scale 1:33 000, ISBN 978-3-86973-037-0 , 4,50 €, Municipal publishing company Nordhausen
Web links
- Interest group Heldrastein - The working group looks after the tower and the refuge.
- Hersfelder-Wanderverein - circular hike over the Heldrastein
