The Red Moor is a 315 hectare nature reserve in the Rhön. The centerpiece is the 50 hectare renatured high moor.
getting there
In the street
The starting point for the hiking trails is the Moordorf car park on the B 278 between Bischofsheim on the Rhön and Ehrenberg (Wüstensachsen). Parking is chargeable: a day pass costs € 2.
By train
With the long-distance train to Fulda. Then with the Rhönbahn (diesel multiple unit) in approx. 45 min Gersfeld.
From here you can hike up to the Red Moor in a good hour (approx. 300 m difference in altitude).
By bus
There is no bus connection to the Red Moor. On registration takes a minibus from Gersfeld (no RMV tariff) to the Roten Moor and to Wasserkuppe high. The timetable of the hiking bus is to be found here (valid from April to November).
In the winter months runs on the same line on pre-order a ski bus. The timetable is on here on the net.
Another alternative from the direction of Fulda is that "Bus line" to the Wasserkuppe to use, and to explore the red moor on a partly scenic high altitude hike or ski tour in winter (about 5 - 6 km easy from the Wasserkuppe).
By bicycle
The Hess. Radfernweg R1a (Fulda-Radweg) stops at the moor Ulstertal cycle path begins in the immediate vicinity at the Ulsterquelle and the Rhön cycle path passes nearby.
mobility
The best way to explore the moor is on foot.
background
The moor history
- approx. 10000 BC Chr .: Beginning of bog formation after the last ice age
- approx. 9080 BC Chr .: Extensive eruption of the volcano "Laacher See"in the Eifel: A layer of ash up to 10 cm thick was even deposited in the distant Red Moor in the Rhön.
- Early 19th century: Beginning of peat extraction for the Rhön health resorts. The moor now had a layer thickness of 2-5 meters depending on the location.
- 1979: The moor is declared a nature reserve
- 1984: Cessation of peat extraction
- 2003 / 2004 - The boardwalk is being renewed. The state of Hesse bears the costs of around 90,000 euros.
- 2007: The observation tower is being renewed. The costs of around 30,000 euros are shared by the nature park (15,000 euros), the Rhön biosphere reserve (5,500 euros) and the ÜWAG (10,000 euros)
- Today: The renaturation measures are taking effect and the moor is slowly emerging again. 2 millimeters of peat are newly formed every year.
Tourist Attractions
- Moor lake with refuge - The reservoir in the south of the moor was created as part of the renaturation process in order to rewet the moor. Information boards can be found in the nearby refuge.
- Bog path - The approximately 800 m long footbridge leads through one Bog birch forest from the refuge to the observation tower. The bog birch, also known as the Carpathian birch, inhabits particularly moist and lime-poor locations. Bicycles have to be pushed on the jetty. It is therefore best to connect the bikes in the area of the refuge. Some information boards on the wooden footbridge tell about the Red Moor (including peat extraction, renaturation, animals and plants).
- Observation tower with a view over the moor and to the Wasserkuppe. The tower is approx. 11 m high and was rebuilt in 2007.
- "Museum" - gastronomy "Haus am Roten Moor" In and around the house, NABU information boards provide information about the moor. A moor profile can be seen in the house. Incidentally, the house itself has a regenerative energy supply (block-type thermal power station with vegetable oil) and a reed treatment plant.
- Location: The house is located east of the main road at the parking lot.
activities
- hike The Red Moor is the intersection of several hiking trails in north / south or west / east direction. The next important Rhön peaks are the Heidelstein and the Wasserkuppe (see below under "Excursions").
- Cross-country skiing in winter see article Winter sports in the Rhön
kitchen
- Gastronomy "Haus am Roten Moor" - The small excursion restaurant, built in 2003/2004, offers drinks and small dishes (bratwurst, cakes, etc.). The prices are very fair. The toilets are chargeable (70 cents, which are reimbursed when you stop at the house).
accommodation
There is no accommodation directly on the moor. Nearest places with guest beds are Ehrenberg (Rhön), Gersfeld and Bischofsheim on the Rhön.
trips
- Hike to Wasserkuppe - beautiful high path with views; approx. 5 - 6 km one way. Danger: The route is not suitable for pushchairs. The scenic forest path between the B 284 and the Fulda spring is sometimes narrow, rocky and bumpy and cannot be driven with a stroller.
- Walk on the Heidelstein - One has one from the forest-free west summit with the striking transmission tower Nice view over the peaks of the Rhön (especially to the south and west and north to the Wasserkuppe). Unfortunately, there are no benches and no refuge in the summit area (nature reserve). In bad weather it is best to avoid the windswept summit (especially if there is a risk of thunderstorms).
- Distance: approx. 1.5 km easy (with about 100 meters of altitude) from the parking lot at "Haus am Roten Moor". First it goes slowly uphill on a gravel road through the coniferous forest. With the beginning of the nature reserve, the path becomes steeper and more rocky.
Practical advice
- Toilets - The toilets in the back of the house on the Roten Moor are accessible for a fee of 70 cents during the opening times of the house. The toilets can also be visited if you do not stop in the house, as the facility was built with subsidies. The usage fee will be reimbursed for a minimum consumption of € 2.50 in the restaurant.
literature
- items Rhön - describes the low mountain range
Web links
Webcams
- Forest view at the house on the Red Moor - Camera height approx. 800 m
