Ulstertal cycle path - Ulstertal-Radweg

Looking across the Ulster after Geisa

The Ulster is a tributary of the Werra. It arises in the high Rhön North-east of Gersfeld in the area ofRed Moors. At Philippsthal (Werra) the river flows into the Werra.

The cycle path of the same name runs along the course of the river.

Route profile

Signs for the Rhön and Ulstertal cycle paths in Philippsthal (Werra)
  • Length: approx. 55 km
  • Signposting: large intermediate signposts with route logo. Unfortunately, the signs are not always set up to protect against the procedure. As a rule, however, the orientation works.
  • Slopes:Above from Hilders or Tann, the Ulstertal cycle path has numerous more challenging hills. From Tann the route is largely flat. The driveway from Wüstensachsen to the Roten Moor is demanding (about 250 to 300 m from Wüstensachsen).
  • Path condition: largely asphalt, only in the area of ​​the former border below Wenigentaft there are a few kilometers of gravel roads. Otherwise only the driveway from Wüstensachsen to Ulsterquelle is graveled (partly coarse gravel road).
  • Traffic load: often traffic-free, but in some cases less busy local roads are used.
  • Suitable bike: Bike with derailleur suitable for mountain use; But at least a 7-speed hub gear, a 3-speed hub is not sufficient as there are numerous gradients greater than 10%.
  • Family suitability: The path between Tann and Vacha is suitable for families.
  • Inline suitability:
  1. Recommended for inline skiers is the section Buttlar - Geisa (approx. 4 km; com. bike and footpath on the main road; sometimes a bit rough surface).
  2. You can also skate between Geisa and Tann (approx. 8 km) (partly good asphalt surfaces). However, the route contains larger hills, through-roads (including Schleid) and sections on local roads (Schleid-Geisa). Ideal entry to the route: parking bay on the B 278 between Günthers or Schlitzhausen and Tann (Rhön). Here the cycle path crosses the main road.

background

The old train station of Pferdsdorf / Rhön on the Ulstertal cycle path
An old buffer stop of the Ulstertalbahn near Wenigentaft

The Ulstertal Cycle Path partly runs on the railway line of the former Ulstertal Railway. The relics of the old railway line can still be discovered at many points. Not only the former train stations, today mostly residential houses or decaying buildings, are reminiscent of the old railway line, in some sections there are also rusty tracks, overgrown by lush vegetation. Due to the location in the former GDR border area, the connection to the line was interrupted (e.g. Wenigentaft-Hünfeld). Today's bike route changes several times between Thuringia and Hesse. Especially in the "Ulstersack", a loop of the Ulster in the former border region, an untouched vegetation has been preserved.

getting there

By train

  • With long-distance transport up to Fulda (The train station is only approached by a few IC trains with bicycles). Incidentally, there are continuous regional connections from Kassel and Frankfurt to Fulda.
  • From Fulda then with the Rhönbahn to Gersfeld up.

Those arriving by regional train from the direction of Frankfurt or Kassel can reach the entry points of the Ulstertal cycle path from Fulda or Hünfeld relatively easily by bicycle, as the railway cycle paths Milseburgradweg and Kegelspielradweg without steep inclines into the Ulstertal.

Rhön-RadBus

On Sundays and public holidays from May 1st to October 3rd, 2010 a leisure bus with free bike transport runs from Fulda along the Milseburgradweg to Hilders, from there up along the Ulstertal cycle path, up to Wasserkuppe and back down to the train station Gersfeld. · Route map · 2010 timetableFurther information see also: www.lng-fulda.de

By bicycle

  • Rhön cycle path runs along the entire route
  • Hess. Long-distance cycle route R1: Fulda cycle route

further entry routes:

In the street

  • is a good starting point for day trips in the Ulstertal Tann (Rhön).

Route description with sights

The Ulster Spring in June 2007. Hurricane Kyriell had ravaged here in January. In June 2007 some of the trees were still lying.

Note: At the 9 audio points mentioned, you can scan the QR code with your smartphone and then listen to the audio file, provided a working internet connection. If you want to listen to the tour at home, you go to this website.

Corner points of the route

  • Driveway over the Hess. Long-distance cycle route R1 a Gersfeld to the Red Moor (approx. 5 km with approx. 300 vertical meters, partly steep route). The steep sections run largely on traffic-free paths, so that you can push the bike easily.
→ From Gersfeld-Zentrum (located at around 500 m above sea level), follow the R 1 a steeply over a 12 to 15% gradient (via the Hochstraße, a small paved side road) up to the hamlet of Mosbach at 640 m to take a breather above the village and enjoy the panoramic view that is offered from the open ridges. In the north is the Wasserkuppe (950 m) to see.
→ Continue following the signs over asphalt farm roads and a short stretch on the country road to the "Schwedenwall" hiking car park at 750 m above sea level. Most of the vertical meters are here for the time being. According to Openstreetmap there is a toilet in the parking lot (in September 2012, however, ignored or searched for).
→ From the hikers' car park, after crossing the country road, the trail climbs moderately to the forest. Up here it is mostly flat or only slightly hilly up to the Rote Moor at an altitude of 800 m. The gravel roads in the forest were easily passable in September 2011.
  • Red moor - On the red moor, it is advisable to connect the bike to the refuge at the beginning of the moor path. Driving on the Moorsteg is not permitted. The approximately 500 m long footbridge leads on boggy ground through a Carpathian birch forest to the observation tower. From the small tower you have a view over the open, pitted areas of the moor and over to the Heidelstein.
  • Ulster spring - is located on the wooded northern slope of the Heidelstein at 815 m
→ 4.4 km downhill on beautiful scenic paths towards Wüstensachsen. Some of the gravel paths are a bit coarser. Those who like to go downhill quickly can also use the road. The Ulstertal Cycle Path crosses the road again in the Wüstensachsen locality.
→ over 9.1 km with several intermediate climbs to Hilders. The route is completely paved and largely free of traffic outside of built-up areas.
→ 10.7 km in the direction of Tann, junction of the Milseburgradweg and the Hess. Long-distance cycle route R3: Rhine - Main - Kinzig in Aura
→ From Aura onwards, a hilly but not very busy local road is used for several kilometers. Shortly before Tann then another 1.5 km "Schrottradweg" on a busy road. Then you reach the urban area of ​​Tann via asphalt farm roads. On this farm road you will find some seating, which invites you to take a break away from the traffic noise.
  • Fir (355 m) - worth seeing old town, which is a little off the route up on the mountain. There is a self-catering supermarket right on the route (tegut). There are refreshment stops in the old town.
→ 11 km complete, mostly gently sloping, with a slight incline in between. The former route of the Ulstertalbahn is used on longer routes. Between Schleid and Geisa it goes on a moderately traveled local road. On the right hand side of this street you can find a nice photo motif: a wayside shrine with a "fence", which is picturesquely located under a tree. The free-standing chimney in this area is also curious.
→ In Motzlar: audio point 1: "Victims of arbitrary government", action vermin
→ In Schleid: Audio point 2: "Faith in Crisis Years", Maria Schnee village church
  • Geisa (284 m) - mountain town with old town; Detour to Point Alpha Border Museum possible. Tip for those driving uphill: It is best to leave the Ulster cycle path from Wenigentaft and drive up the "backwards" on traffic-free and almost continuously paved paths via Grüsselbach to Point Alpha. This route is signposted from the railway bridge on the Kegelspielradweg west of Wenigentaft. From Geisa, on the other hand, you have to use a 12% steep, depending on the time, sometimes quite busy road without bike paths (about 140 meters in altitude). This road is better for going downhill.
→ in Geisa: audio points 3, 4 and 5: "The westernmost city of the Eastern Bloc", "The bells don't ring sweeter" (city parish church) and "The hottest point in the Cold War" (Point Alpha)
Tips: In Geisa you will find a bench-table combination to rest on the blue pedestrian bridge over Ulster (at 50 ° 42 ′ 51 ″ N.9 ° 57 ′ 10 ″ E). If you want to visit the beautiful old town of Geisa on the hill, you can also lock your bike here. Unfortunately, leaning brackets are not available as of 09-2012. Catering options for self-caterers (REWE and tegut supermarkets) can be found here in the nearby industrial area on the main road. If you want to stop by, you will find it in the old town of Geisa.
→ 5.5 km continuously with a 0 - 2% incline to Buttlar on a cycle path along the main road
→ in Buttlar: audio point 6: "From the death strip to the lifeline", renaturation of the near-natural water sections of the straightened Ulster
→ 2.5 km on a developed part of the Ulstertalbahn railway line. The steel truss bridge over the Ulster is used.
→ A little: audio point 7: "The forgotten station"
→ Scenic 11 km through the valley completely away from the traffic noise to Philippsthal. The path is gravel for long stretches. Asphalt again from horse village.
→ in Unterbreizbach: audio point 8: "In the land of the white mountains", the Monte Kali
→ in Vacha: Audio point 9: "From the Middle Ages through the GDR to the present - A journey through time in Vacha"

trips

References to literature and maps

  • ADFC regional map "Rhön" 1:75000, ISBN 3-87073-222-9 - please refer Bielefelder Verlag
  • Ulstertal cycle path: Flyer DIN A4, published by: Rhönforum e.V. (Website)

Digital maps

Web links

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