The regional bike path Waldhessen R15 leads from the Fulda valley of Bad Hersfeld above Bebra-Weiterode up through the Ulfetal and then into the Werra valley. On the border with Thuringia, it goes along the Werra Herrings, there the cycle path makes a large loop along the national border. Continue along the Werra to Heimboldshausen, where the cycle path leaves the Werra valley and leads over the mountains towards Schenklengsfeld to Ausbach, Ransbach and Mansbach. Finally, the route crosses the Hessian-Thuringian border again to Wenigentaft in the Ulstertal.
Route profile
- Length: 73 km
- Signposting:Uniform signage with a rectangular sign, white with the green "Waldhessen" logo, a stylized bicycle and the designation "R15"
- Slopes: approx. 750 meters in altitude, so quite sporty
- Path condition: mostly paved, but also unpaved forest and field paths
- Traffic load: low
- Suitable bike: Touring bike with gear shift
- Family suitability: partially suitable
- Inline suitability: only suitable in parts
background
Behind the term Waldhessen hides the district of Hersfeld-Rotenburg, which designed these cycle routes. These are tourist routes that usually do not follow the simplest and most direct route. With the R15 you get to know the eastern border of the district.
preparation
getting there
Public transportation
- Bad Hersfeld can be easily reached in regional and long-distance traffic with Deutsche Bahn and the regional company "Cantusbahn" between Fulda and Kassel and Fulda Göttingen.
The end point Wenigentaft in the Ulstertal is on the long-disused "Ulstertal Railway", today no longer accessible by train.
By bicycle
- Hessian long-distance cycle route R1: the R15 runs from Bad Hersfeld to Mecklar with the R1
- Haunetal cycle path (Hünfeld - Bad Hersfeld), connection from the bowling cycle path (Hünfeld - Wenigentaft)
- Solztalradweg (connection to Schenklengsfeld, from there to Mansbach and Heimboldshausen
- Werra Valley Cycle Path: Section Dankmarshausen - Heringen - Heimboldshausen with the R15 together
- Waldhessen R13: crosses the R15 in Ronshausen
- Hessian long-distance cycle route R7: crosses in Heimboldshausen
In the street
- Bad Hersfeld: Autobahn A4,
- Bebra: Bundesstrasse 27 (Fulda-Göttingen)
- Hönebach: A4 Hersfeld - Eisenach
Route description with sights
Bad Hersfeld - Friedlos approx. 4 km:west the B27, former Hess. Long-distance cycle route R1. Not signposted as R15.
Friedlos - (Bebra) - Ronshausen approx. 16 km: first east the Fulda (beautiful landscape!), then up through the Ulfetal towards Thuringia.
Ronshausen - Hönebach - Grossensee - Kleinensee - Dankmarshausen approx. 14 km: further up towards Thuringia. The A4 motorway (Bad Hersfeld-Eisenach) is crossed under Hönebach. Former German-German border between Grossensee and Kleinensee. The Werra is reached at Dankmarshausen. From here shared route with the Werra Valley Cycle Path.
Annotation: The connection between Fulda and Werra is probably the shortest and flattest between the valleys.
Dankmarshausen - Heringen - Heimboldshausen approx. 22 km: beautiful route along the Werra past Monte Kali (Widdershausen). The loop of the R15 cycle path to the border near Heringen can be shortened if necessary (around 10 km).
- → Those who shy away from the mountainous tour via Ransbach can use the Heringen Werra valley cycle path to Philippsthal consequences. That ends there Ulster bike path, which one follows upstream to Wenigentaft in Thuringia.
Heimboldshausen - Ausbach - Ransbach - Mansbach - A little about 17 km: Loop through the mountains and down into the Ulstertal. There are 2 castles to discover in Mansbach. However, you cannot visit them. The annex to Geyso Castle houses a museum.
Other places to stay
security
trips
- Kegelspielradweg (Hünfeld - Wenigentaft)
- Ulstertal cycle path: (with the Rhön cycle path) from Wenigentaft to the high Rhön and the Milseburgradweg
- Fulda cycle path
- Hess. Long-distance cycle route R7: From the Werra to the Lahn
- Haunetal cycle path - from Friedlos follow the Waldhessen R12
