The scenery along the Volcano Cycle Trail
The Volcano Cycle Trail begins (or ends) in Altenstadt or to be more precise, only in Stockheim in the form of a railway-line cycle trail, because the railway still runs from Altenstadt via Glauberg to Stockheim. The Glauberg, once one of the region’s major settlements, is located here, at the southern end. An archaeological tour explains the history of the settlement. The climb is worthwhile not least because of the view of the Wetterau region from the viewing platform. The graves of Celtic rulers and some precious burial objects were discovered in 1994.
A tour of the reconstructed burial mounds and sections of the processional route is also on offer. A Celtic calendar made of posts, dating the artefacts, was erected in 2007. Celtic scholars used the calendar to record the passage of the year and, more importantly, the special feast days, which coincided with a change in lunar cycle. The State of Hesse has plans to build a Celtic Museum on this mystical site, which will house the unique sandstone stele discovered in the grave of a Celtic ruler. The opening is planned for 2009. The former station building in Stockheim, the neighboring town to Glauberg, is home to a gigantic, show model railway, which forms part of the old Oberwaldbahn, an exciting attraction for all model railway enthusiasts, young and old.
The Volcano Cycle Trail leads on through the valley of the small river Nidder, over Ortenberg, with its picturesque old town, to Hirzenhain, made famous by the Buderus iron foundry and art casting in particular. The art castings museum, which lies on the Volcano Cycle Trail, is home to a number of delicate, precious objects. In Gedern, the Trail leads straight through the castle park. This magnificent building is now a hotel and restaurant as well as the home of the city council. The little Museum of Cultural History, where a model of the route of the Volcano Cycle Trail is on show, is located in the gatehouse. The model shows what the route used to look like when the railway was still in use and what the cycle trail looks like now. The Lake of Gedern is perfect if you fancy a cold dip after your ride but, about 2 km further along the trail, you’ll have to master an uphill ascent from the Volcano Cycle Trail to get there. At the highest point on the Vulcan Cycle Trail (580 m), you reach the former railway station of Hartmannshain, where the Südbahn Cycle Trail branches off towards Birstein and the Kinzigtal valley. Once there, a park-like landscape stretches out before your eyes.
On leaving Herbstein, which sits in state on an extinct volcano funnel, like a mountain village, the Trail leads on towards Lauterbach. Herbstein offers a health spa and sauna at the Vulkan thermal baths. Along the route, restaurants with lovely beer gardens invite you to take a break and at Ilbeshausen you can admire the “Teufelsmühle", one of the most magnificent timber-framed buildings in the region. Just before you get to Lauterbach, the imposing Castle of Eisenbach towers above you. If you can spare the time to tarry a while in the magnificent parkland, among the gigantic pine trees, which seem to rise up from the valley and tower over the castle you won’t be disappointed. Anyone venturing the ascent to the castle can enjoy coffee and homemade cake at the Restaurant Burgpost.
On arrival in Lauterbach, cyclists of all ages can relax after a long day, take a break or set off on the return journey aboard the Vulkan-Express cycle bus. Or, depending on your mood, you could decide to extend your ride into the Fulda Valley. The Volcano Cycle Trail is signposted all the way to the Fulda River and leads through the spa town of Bad Salzschlirf, along a disused railway line, which has been superbly developed, to the castle town of Schlitz. It’s hard to imagine a more romantic way to end the day than on the banks of the river Schlitz, in the park of Hallenburg Castle, the seat of the State Academy of Music. Or you might prefer the panoramic view from the Hinterburg tower on the castle mount. A friendly “tower man” greets visitors and operates the lift up the tower. Once there were four castles on the Burgberg and most of them are still there. The Castle Museum provides information about local traditions and crafts, including Schlitz linen and the corn schnapps distillery. The town is still home to traditional companies representing the two industries. Their products enjoy an international reputation and make ideal souvenirs to take home.
