The Kellerwald-Edersee National Park is a protected area in the north Hesse. The area is south of the known Edersee. A valuable beech forest area with a low mountain range is protected. Every year around 200,000 people interested in nature visit the park.
background
history
Hesse's only national park is in Kellerwald south of the Edersee. The grove beech forest, which is characteristic of this region, is to be protected. There are already some areas in the park with beech trees that are over 100 years old. In the long term, a natural forest should develop over the entire area of the national park, which was founded on January 1st, 2004. The protected area covers 57.4 km².
In 2012 it was clearly recognized that the forest had been taken out of forest use for eight years. The first signs of jungle (fallen trees that remain lying) appear. The forest conversion, which, among other things, the removal of the alien tree species has now been largely completed.
By the way, since June 25, 2011 the protected area has been able to adorn itself with the prestigious title of "World Natural Heritage". Together with other beech forest protection areas in Germany (e.g. Jasmund National Park, Hainich National Park, Muritz National Park, Total reservation Grumsin im Schorfheide-Chorin Biosphere Reserve) succeeded in receiving this title or becoming part of an existing title as part of a joint application. As part of the recognition by UNESCO, the existing natural world heritage of the cross-border "primeval beech forests of the Carpathians" was expanded to include the German primeval beech forests. For more information, see the official website www.weltnaturerbe-buchenwaelder.de
landscape
The park is located in a low mountain range with the beech forest characteristic of this region. The largely uninhabited protected area is at an altitude of 250 to 600 m. 40% of the beeches are more than 120 years old. On an area of 1000 hectares you can even find beeches that are more than 160 years old. The protected stands are not primeval forests in the original sense, but the park is developing towards one.
Flora and fauna
- Bird life: Many woodpeckers live in the park's forests due to the high proportion of dead wood. Six species of woodpecker occur here. As the "heraldic bird" of the national park one can consider the rare Black stork look at.
climate
getting there
The national park is now easily accessible by public transport, as the railway line Frankenberg (Eder)-Korbach (RB42 / KBS 622), which leads past the national park in the west (National Park Station Vöhl-Herzhausen), has been reactivated since September 2015. See also article Route festival for the opening of the 'Untere Edertalbahn' . Of Herzhausen operate with connection to the RB42 the Bus route 501.2 (Herzhausen-Harbshausen-Asel Süd), the Bus route 503 (Herzhausen-Vöhl-Waldeck-Hemfurth-Edersee) and the Bus route 521 (Herzhausen-Frankenau).
The Bus route 510 ((kassel-)Bad Wildungen-Korbach) drives along Ederseerandstraße (east side of the barrier) in the summer, while the Bus route 515 (Bad Wildungen-Edersee) approaches the west side of the barrier wall. In the meantime, you can get to Hemfurth, the north-eastern entrance gate of the park, from Kassel at least quite easily. If you want to take the funicular up to the park from Hemfurth, it is best to get on the 
Peterskopfbahn (Lines 510, 583.1 and 583.2) or cavern (Lines 583.1 and 583.2) out. Further information on how to get there can be found in the Wikivoyage article Edersee.
The rather limited bus offer is supplemented by collective call taxis. This can be used for all locations in the Kellerwald During the day, an hourly service for public transport can be guaranteed. Timetables for buses and ASTs are on the Website of the North Hessian Transport Association (NVV) available. It is necessary to register the call collective taxi by telephone at the AST headquarters in Waldeck-Frankenberg at least half an hour before the start of the journey.
Otherwise it is best to travel by car. There are various parking spaces for hikers at the edge of the park.
For those who are sporty, the bicycle is a nice alternative. The Eder cycle path leads along attractive paths along the edge of the park. As arrival stations with the combination bike & train offer themselves Vega with change in Wobble (IC and RE connection on the Kassel-Frankfurt am Main route) as well as Frankenberg (Eder) (End of the Burgwaldbahn, which starts in Marburg). Wabern and Frankenberg are on Eder cycle path. Wega is a bit off the Eder cycle path; from Wega it is another 14 km to the Ederseesperre.
fees
The area is freely accessible.
mobility
The best way to explore the area is on foot.
Those who are not afraid of inclines can also use a mountain bike or mountain bike to explore the park on the approved trails. Smaller hiking trails in the park are for that Cycling blocked. Please respect this as a mountain biker. If you are a cyclist or pedestrian, please do not use / walk on disused paths.
Unfortunately, there were illegal clearings in the national park, which of course constitutes an administrative offense that can be punished accordingly.
Peterskopfbahn
The Peterskopfbahn conveniently opens up the summit region of the national park for hikers. In 10 minutes you can comfortably overcome a difference in altitude of 290 m. From here you can explore the national park on several hiking routes, mostly downhill. The panorama from the is also worth seeing Viewing platform on the Peterskopf.
- Operating times of the funicular: The train runs daily from around April to the end of October except on Mondays. The ascent takes place on the hour between 11 a.m. and 5 p.m. The descents are also hourly (between 11:15 am and 5:15 pm as of 07-2012); For the history of the funicular, see Wikipedia article Peterskopfbahn
- Fares:for ascent and descent: Adults: € 5, children (from 6 years): € 3. Single trip: Adults: 3 €; Children 2 €; Children up to 14 years of age travel for free on Sundays. The tickets are only available in the E-On information center. It is closed here on Sundays. Then ticket sales directly at the train station. According to Edersee tourism Bicycle transport is possible (€ 2 per bike and route, as of 07-2012).
- Railway history see Wikipedia article Peterskopfbahn
Tourist Attractions
Viewpoint "Quernstkirche"
At 539 m is here with 51 ° 7 '5 "N.8 ° 57 '24 "E a beautiful vantage point with a view towards Rothaar Mountains. In addition to the newly built wooden chapel (usually open) there is a distance board with arrows. The old roofed lookout pulpit at the refuge was torn down. Incidentally, there are information boards on the historic Quernstkirche in the refuge. The foundation walls of the former church can be found next to the refuge.
Access: From the hiking car park above the holiday village near Frankenau, approx. 2 km walk slightly uphill on gravel forest road (hiking car park location: 51 ° 6 ′ 22 ″ N.8 ° 56 ′ 54 ″ E). The "Kellerwalduhr" information center, which provides information about the national park, is also located at the holiday village. Incidentally, you can "puff up" by bike to the lookout point. The local cycle route signs open up the lookout point.
Upper basin of the pumped storage power station with funicular and viewing platform
A funicular railway leads from Hemfurth to the Kellerwald at a height of around 500 m. The upper basin of the Waldeck II pumped storage power station is located here at 539 m rather unknown The viewing platform offers a beautiful view of the Edertal, the Edersee towards Waldeck Castle, over the national park and on clear days as far as the Habichtswald near Kassel. The freely accessible platform is at 51 ° 9 '50 "N.9 ° 1 '45 "E.
- For operating times and fares for the funicular, see Peterskopfbahn in the mobility section
- Walk to the funicular mountain station to the lookout point - In front of the mountain station of the funicular at 51 ° 9 '42 "N.9 ° 2 ′ 6 ″ E you walk over wide, asphalted roads for almost a kilometer to the viewing platform at the large upper basin (about 40 meters in altitude). The ways are Suitable for pushchairs. On the way you pass the snack station, which invites you to refresh yourself.
- Ascent by bike from the Edertal: From Kreisstraße 35 (Hemfurth - Bringhausen) there is also a wide driveway leading to the Peterskopf. Most of this is closed to cars. The driveway is worthwhile for sporty cyclists (on the very good road bike-friendly asphalt). Attention: There is factory traffic for the power plants!
- Summit gastronomy - The "Jausenstation" is located with a view of the upper basin of the pumped storage power plant Waldeck I.
- hike - Just below the blocked road section there is at 1 a freely accessible hiking car park. A board here provides information about circular hikes that also lead to the Peterskopf.
More Attractions
- Heath experience trail Altenlotheim - you can see grasslands and heather biotopes (Info from the national park)
- Hagenstein - The hilltop, also known as the "Loreley der Eder", is attached to the western edge of the park 51 ° 9 '48 "N.8 ° 54 '32 "E.. From here you have a nice view down to the Eder, which flows 100 m below.
- Five lakes view - to be found on the northern border of the park near Bringhausen. From the lookout at 51 ° 9 ′ 31 ″ N.8 ° 59 ′ 30 ″ E you can look over the 5-part Edersee when the traffic jam is full. A visit to the Fünfseenblick can be easily combined with a hike to the stone dumps on the Daudenberg.
- Block stone dumps on the Daudenberg - Of Bringhausen From there you can explore the stone dumps with its dry oak forest on a circular hike. Sturdy footwear makes sense for the tour, as smaller, bumpy paths are used in some cases. If you want, you can also stop by the Fünfseenblick. Hiking suggestion of the national park.
- Alternatively, the Daudenberg can also be easily reached on the "Round trip Peterskopf-Edersee"to hike with.
activities
- Visit to national park events - The park's rangers offer many guided hikes and excursions through the wilderness throughout the year. The program is to be found here.
- To go biking for example on the Edersee cycle path. Directly in the area of the national park there is a signposted cycle path on gravel roads. However, the route is very mountainous.
hike
There are various signposted circular hiking trails in the park. The tours described in detail with a map and elevation profile are here on the website of the Parks to find. Also the Urwaldsteig around the Edersee leads partly through the area of the national park. Route of the Urwaldsteig OpenStreetMap.
Round trip Peterskopf-Edersee
See also:Kellerwald-Edersee National Park / Gpx
Attractive round trip on foot, by mountain railway and by boat. The route leads downhill in the national park on partly rustic, narrow hiking trails. Therefore, sturdy shoes make sense.
- Distance: about 10.5 km; 8 km of which are mostly downhill from the mountain station of the funicular to the Bringhausen ship landing stage, 2.5 km from the barrier wall to the valley station of the funicular. The route is not suitable for pushchairs.
- Walking times: You should plan around 30 minutes of travel time for the walk from the large parking lot in Hemfurth to the valley station of the funicular with ticket purchase in the information center. Those who park at Spermauer Ost or spend a longer time in the E-On information center about the pumped storage power plants Waldeck I and Waldeck II would like to inform, should leave accordingly sooner.
- The hike from the top station of the Peterskopfbahn to the Bringhausen jetty is easy to do brisk walking in 2 hours (without major breaks). The ships usually run every 2 hours - some even every hour in the high season. But it is better to plan 3 hours. Then you have enough time to complete the hike with breaks, e.g. B. to enjoy on the viewing platform Peterskopf. Those who plan longer breaks (e.g. for a lunch stop at the Peterskopf snack bar) can also do something more than 3 hours calculate.
- Park - Parking of the car for day trippers is best in the large parking lot Hemfurth in the village (at 2 Start at the large parking lot in Hemfurth) or alternatively at the Sperrmauer-Ost parking lot directly on the Uferstraße (at {3 Shipping pier, Sperrmauer-Ost); both places are charges apply).
- very important: Before doing exactly that Study the ships' timetableOtherwise you might end up in Bringhausen. Then as a "punishment" if there is no 521 bus going at the moment: march back on the foot / bike path along the road to Hemfurth (about 5 - 6 km via Rehbach, which are quite boring).
Key points of the round tour:
- 1 Start at the large parking lot in HemfurthStart at the large parking lot in Hemfurth - Walk down the sidewalk towards ...
- 2 Hemfurth town center - Keep left here for a moment and then immediately turn right into Kraftwerkstrasse.
- 3 E-On hydropower information center - Just the mountain railway tickets are available here. There are no tickets to buy directly at the valley station or in the train. Except on Sundays, when the information center is closed. Opening times and Operating times of the mountain railway
- 4 Peterskopfbahn valley station - Ascent with the funicular to the Peterkopf. In the train there are explanations from the tape, which are underlaid with "folk music".
- 5 Peterskopfbahn mountain station - Ascent on foot to the upper Great Basin with a lookout point. On the way you can fortify yourself in the Peterskopf snack bar.
- 6 Peterskopf viewing platform - Wide view to the north towards Waldeck Castle and the Edertal. In the northeast you can even see the Habichtswald near Kassel on a clear day.
- 7 possibly steep, direct trampling path directly to the hiking trail from the area of the Peterskopf viewing platform to the hiking trail (shortcut by around 500 m; according to OpenStreetMap, the path is allegedly available; not investigated in summer 2012).
- 8 Branch off the hiking trail to the Urwaldsteig on the driveway - circling the large storage basin on the northern side (gravel driveway)
- 9 Branch to the Urwaldsteig - from here a rustic, narrow hiking trail with the character of a jungle (closed for bicycles)
- 10 Branch to the Urwaldsteig - Keep straight ahead on the Urwaldsteig. Descent via an attractive hiking path to the Sauermilchplatz. Part of the path has a beautiful "leaf tunnel".
- 11 Sauermilchplatz (crossroads, rest area with refuge) - Tomb of a princely chief forester under an oak. Incidentally, the refuge has an interesting windbreak construction made of natural material (but the moor has already fallen in part).
- 12 Branch to the hiking trail "Oberer Daudenberg" - From here, take a hilly hiking trail west around the Daudenberg towards Fünfseenblick (including through dry oak forest past block stone fields). Alternatively, you can take the boring but direct route to the Fünfseenblick on the right (if, for example, there is a risk of the ship running out of time).
- 13 Five lake view - Five very small parts of the Edersee can be seen. The name is correct, but the nice view is not exactly spectacular compared to other views of the Edersee.
- 14 Branch on Kirchweg - From here on asphalt paths down to Bringhausen to the landing stage of the Ederseepersonenschifffahrt.
- 15 Bringhausen jetty - If you have to wait longer for the ship, you can stop off at the restaurant here. From here return by ship to the Sperrmauer-Ost (60 minutes, which you can spend on the ship with coffee and cake).
- 16 Waldeck-West jetty - Stopover by ship
- -> For whom 10 km distance is not enough and who still has that Waldeck Castle want to visit, the boat trip can end here. Then walk to the valley station of the Waldecker Bergbahn. Comfortable ascent by cable car over 120 meters in altitude up to Waldeck. Visit to Waldeck Castle with a great panoramic view over the Edersee. Return via the Urwaldsteig to the barrier wall (around 6 km). This mountainous, but very attractive mountain path route has some beautiful vantage points with repeatedly surprising lake views (e.g. Hexenkopf, the pulpit and the barrier wall view at the Uhrenkopf). Those who still build in this variant have had a more than fulfilling day at the Edersee.
- 17 Shipping pier, Sperrmauer-Ost - Walk to the barrier wall
- 18 Barrier wall - The most important thing that should not be missing on a trip to the Edersee: the walk over the imposing dam wall.
- 19 Destination large parking lot Hemfurth - We come full circle.
to buy
In the national park center (see above) you can go shopping in the souvenir shop.
kitchen
- 1 Snack and mountain hut "Zum Waldbölker". Tel.: (0)5623 1782. The new bistro is located in the area of the upper basin of the Waldeck I pumped storage power station at around 500 m. It is possible to take the funicular or bike up the Kraftwerkstrasse. The new, cozy wooden hut was opened around 2018. The offer includes German cuisine.Open: Tuesday to Sunday 11 am-5pm.
- Gastronomy in Kellerwald National Park Center
- 2 Hofcafe at the national park, Brigitte Müller, Gellerhäuser Strasse 12, 34537 Bad Wildungen-Frebershausen. Tel.: (0)6455-911955, Email: [email protected]. The cafe is located directly on the Frankenau - Edertal road between Frebershausen and Gellershausen. You can either sit in the comfortably furnished dining room of the blue wood clapboard house, or of course in the courtyard. In addition to coffee and cake, there are also some snacks (including the North Hessian specialty "Ahlewurst").Open: May - October: Thu - Mon; November to April: Sat and Sun; always from 1 p.m.;
- To the Waldbölker snack station. This new snack station is run by the landlord of the country hotel Restaurant and hotel guided.
accommodation
There are no accommodations directly in the park.
Those who like to spend their holidays in their own holiday home can use such a B. in Holiday village Frankenau rent. However, you then live further away from the Edersee.
There is a large campsite in Asel-Süd [1].
The Albert Schweitzer Holiday Center (formerly Albert Schweitzer Camp) [2] directly on the Edersee near Asel-Süd offers accommodation for larger groups such as school classes.
- Local tip regarding accommodation for active vacationers / hikers on the Edersee: It is quite centrally located for hikers Bringhausen at the Edersee. From here, advanced hikers can easily reach all of the park's sights on day tours (max. 15 - 25 km as a day tour). There is also a connection to the Ederseepersonenschifffahrt, which takes you to the Scheid peninsula with its Gnarled forests as well as in the direction of Waldeck-West to the castle and the barrier wall. Cycle tours on the Edersee circular route are of course also possible from Bringhausen. Accommodations in Bringhausen are in the accommodation directory of Edersee tourism listed.
security
After a storm, the advice of the national park administration regarding entering the forest should be observed. This also applies if the storm was several weeks ago.
Practical advice
A lively primeval creature lives deep in the enchanted beech forest - the Boggel. Only a few have seen it so far, the little green creature with its two stumpy legs under its belly, its large sail ears and its distinctive long nose. The Boggels live in caves in trees and in the earth, where they sleep through the cold season. In summer, on the other hand, they consume the sun's energy to help themselves with the photosynthesisthat they are able to nourish with the help of their green skin. They are social beings who live together in peoples. At a
Life expectancy of 300 to 400 years, they are about 20 cm tall, with the females being slightly smaller. As a rule, they reproduce via pollen, which is spread from the male to the female with the help of the wind. The offspring hatch fully developed from beech bay-like eggs. Boggels communicate with the help of noises that are generated by clapping their ears or by hammering their noses against a trunk. In addition to the well-known forest bow, there are also other types of rock and brook bow. If you want to know more about the Boggel, it is best to visit the "BuchenHaus" at the wildlife park. Here you can find the Boggelreich in the exhibition (especially interesting for children). Otherwise one reads in the study of Prof. em. Dr. Zundermann or watch the video Youtube on. For more see also www.boggel.de.Kellerwald National Park Center
1 Kellerwald National Park Center, Path to the wild 1. Tel.: (0)5635 992781, Email: [email protected]. The modern center, opened in January 2008, is located on the Frankenberg - Korbach federal road. It can be found here between Herzhausen and Kirchlotheim. There is a modern, interactive exhibition on the national park with "4-D cinema". A 4D film in cinema quality over the beech forest is shown with "room animations" (e.g. wind from fans). In the center there is also a restaurant and a souvenir shop.
- Opening hours: April 1st - October 31st: daily 10 am-6pm; November 1st - March 31st: Tue - Sun 10 a.m. - 4.30 p.m., closed on January 24th and January 1st
- Tips: In the first exhibition room after the turnstile, butterflies sit on your own shadow when it is immersed in the projection.
- Entry: Adults € 6.50; Reduced € 4 (children from 6 years; with valid ID: schoolchildren, students, severely disabled people, military and community service, participants in the Voluntary Ecological or Social Year); Family ticket: € 16 (for children up to 14 years of age); Children up to 5 years are free
National Park Center (Lines 501, 503, 521, 581.5 and 581.11)
BuchenHaus am WildtierPark
2 Book House with Wilderness School, Am Bericher Holz 1. Tel.: (0)5623 97303-0, Email: [email protected]. The information point is located at the Edersee Wildlife Park between Rehbach and Hemfurth (approx. 1 km west of the Edersee barrier). An adventure exhibition about the beech forest is shown with the help of different themed worlds or themed rooms such as the bat cave. There is the Boggelreich for children. If you want, you can also visit the wildlife park with a gryphon station.
- Opening hours: March 1st - April 30th: 10 am-6pm; May 1st - October 31st: 9 am-6pm; November 1 - February 28: 11 a.m. - 4 p.m. Flight demonstrations at the Greifenwarte: March 1 - November 15: every day except Mondays at 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.
- Entry: free of charge; The wildlife Park on the other hand costs admission
- wildlife Park (Lines 515 and 583.1)
National Park Office
3 Kellerwald-Edersee National Park Office, Laustraße 8. Tel.: (0)5621 75249-0, Fax: (0)5621 75249-19, Email: [email protected].
- Meeting point / Kurschattenbrunnen (City bus) or Broad Hagen (Regional bus)
trips
- to the Edersee
- to Bad Wildungen
- to Korbach
- to Frankenberg (Eder)
literature
cards
- Overview map "take with you plan" of the national park as 4.6 MB PDF file. On page 2 of the file you will find a very precise overview map, which is worth printing out if you don't have another map at hand (the file is, however, optimized for A3 format). If you visit one of the park's information centers, you will usually receive this card on request.
- Edersee hiking and cycling map Scale 1: 25000 - The map shows the entire Edersee and the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park; € 4.50; 7th edition from May 2010: ISBN 978-3-86973-028-8 ; for more information see: Cartographic Municipal Publishing Company
- Kellerwald-Edersee cycling and hiking map Scale 1: 35000 - similar map to the hiking map above, but the map is in Weatherproof and tearproof design and also covers the entire basement forest. € 6.00; 3rd heavily revised edition as of September 2009: ISBN 978-3-86973-008-0 ; Info on here Cartographic Municipal Publishing Company
miscellaneous
- Illustrated book "Kellerwald-Edersee National Park - In the realm of the rustic beeches" - Format 24 cm x 30 cm, 128 pages, € 19.90, ISBN 978-3-932583-18-6 (2nd Edition), Publishing house Cognitio; The illustrated book contains descriptions in German and English.
- The Boggel - who lives in the beech forest - Format 21 cm x 18.1 cm, 48 pages, € 6.80, ISBN 978-3-932583-28-5 , Publisher Cognitio; The book introduces the national park's mascot. The Boggel is also available as a stuffed animal. You can buy him z. B. in the museum shop of the National Park Center.
Web links
- official page of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
- Association for the development of the Kellerwald-Edersee National Park
- www.naturschutzgrossprojekt-kellerwald.de - Page on the major conservation project that deals with the valuable natural spaces in the region outside the national park boundaries.
- Edersee tourism - official, regional tourism website
