Kellerwald Forest Trail: unspoilt scenery at Lake Edersee in the heart of Germany

The Kellerwald Forest Trail, which takes several days to walk, follows a circular route between beautiful valleys and hills, Lake Edersee and the pristine forests of Kellerwald-Edersee National Park.

Lake Edersee and unspoilt forests of beech and oak are the defining features of Kellerwald-Edersee National Park in northern Hessen. The Kellerwald Forest Trail combines the delights of nature with one of the largest, most beautiful reservoir lakes in central Europe. Mighty, 1,000-year-old oak trees can be found on the Knorreichenstieg trail, which forms part of the route. The Kellerwald Forest Trail leads through a picture-perfect landscape with idyllic river valleys and wooded mountain ridges. Walkers will come across many magnificent views of the lake and across the countryside. The trail reaches its highest point on the summit of Wüstegarten (675m) in the Kellerwald forest. The Mausefalle (mousetrap) and the Exhelmerstein are two of the bizarre quartzite rock formations that scatter its slopes, and which have given rise to many a myth and legend. On clear days, the vista from Wüstegarten extends over much of Hessen as far as the Harz, the Sauerland and the Thuringian Forest.

Tip
Treetop walk at Lake Edersee
Lake Edersee is easily accessible and ideal for leisure activities, including a wide range of water sports. Its imposing dam is also worth a closer look. Those with a head for heights should try the treetop walk in Hemfurth. A secure wooden walkway leads through the treetops, enabling you to look down on the forest from above.

At a glance

• Starts and ends: Frankenau
• Length: 156km
• Number of stages: 12
• Altitude variation (approximate values): Ascent 9,000m, descent 9,000m
• Terrain: 36% unmade, 15% asphalt, 49% other, e.g. gravel