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Hiking where the former East-West German border used to run? In Vacha, no problem. Many stories from the region along the Rhönklub route have been recorded on information boards.
In a region that has always benefited from heavy visitor traffic, borders ended this well-known way of life. The town of Vacha was located on the Hohe Straße or Via Regia and received constant visitors traveling between the two trade fair cities Frankfurt and Leipzig.
Already in 786, this was interrupted by a border near the Werra. It lay between the spheres of influence of the significant monasteries in Fulda and Hersfeld at the time. However, during the division of Germany, this reached a new and unexpected peak.
Many houses and farms were demolished, and families and friends were separated. The Werra bridge, mentioned as early as 1186, is a symbol of this, as the East-West German border ran right across it.
Since 1996, this hiking route of the Rhönklub has commemorated this period. On information boards erected in 2009, many stories are told to keep the memory of this time alive. Exhibitions with related information are also held at the museum in Wendelstein Castle near the starting point or in the border museum in Philippsthal Castle.
Author’s recommendation
Anyone interested can visit the border tower, which still stands near the starting point of the route. A key can be picked up at the museum in Wendelstein Castle during opening hours.
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
Track types
Safety information
The tourist paths of the Rhön are mostly also used by other active people (hikers, mountain bikers, cyclists, walkers, riders, cross-country skiers, etc.).
We ask all active nature sports enthusiasts to be considerate of each other. The same naturally applies to nature - it is worth protecting. In the Rhön, nature sports should therefore only be practiced on designated paths and areas during daylight hours.
Tips and suggestions
Places to eat
Mahnmal und Museum Grenzturm Vacha
Parkplatz Werrastraße Vacha
Brücke der Einheit Vacha
Public transport
Vacha is accessible, among others, by the following bus lines of the Wartburgkreis district:
- Line 100 - Spa line: Bad Salzungen - Erlebnisbergwerk Merkers - Vacha - Bad Hersfeld
- Line 110: Eisenach - Vachaer Stein (Rennsteig) - Vacha - Geisa - Tann/Rhön
- Line 111: Vacha - Völkershausen - Martinroda - Oechsen
Get Timetable to destination
Directions
It is best to travel by car via the A4. Exit at junction 33 Friedewald. At the town exit, turn onto the B62 towards Vacha. On this road, the parking lot in the urban area can be directly reached.
Parking
- Parking lot Werrastraße, 36404 Vacha | GoogleMaps
Coordinates
Book recommendations for this region:
Equipment
- Sturdy footwear
- Rainwear
- First aid kit
- Adequate drink supplies and provisions
- Sun protection for high temperatures
- GPS navigation device, map, or smartphone with onboard maps
Localization
Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.
User Questions