Oh whoa, as if things weren’t confusing enough in Germany with many towns sharing the same name — so imagine how confusing it is to be in the town of Habichtswald — found within the Habichtswald, the Nature Park.
Doesn’t matter, I guess, there are far worse places in the world to be than right here, close to castles and pretty Hessian landscape.
As for the countryside, the only way you’re gonna enjoy it is to be, well, outside. Don’t worry, there’s plenty to keep you busy other than just hiking with your own two feet. Although, that’s pretty much how you’ll be getting around if you’re trekking along the Habichtswaldsteig.
Wait, I take that back, you can also cycle along this picturesque scenic route.
Another super-cool fun thing to do out here is take a ride on one of the Icelandic horses — so your choice if you want to take a riding lesson, or educate yourself on all things about horse training and breeding.
Farming and agriculture aren’t new to the region, so it seems like the right place for a museum on the industry. The museum, located at Breiter Weg 4, is open by appointment only, so you’ll need to call ahead.
And no, my history loving friends, I haven’t forgotten about what whets your appetite. The Burgruine Igelsburg is right up your alley, even if nothing too much remains of its medieval beginnings.
Also from the Middle Ages is the local church’s tower in the village of Ehlen, originally used as a defense tower in the 12th century.
Well, if you think that’s old, that’s nothing in time compared to Gut Bodenhausen — an “estate” whose origins go back almost twelve hundred years ago. So what if the current building is but a mere 400 — this place is old. It is not, however, as old as the Stone Age settlements that used to be here.
By the way, both hamlets, Ehlen and Dörnberg, were established in the year 1074, just to be combined into the new town Habichtswald in 1972. Why did they do that? Why did they confuse me in the first place?
Either way… history lesson’s now over — time to enjoy the Fest der leisen Töne, a festival playing softer sounding music. Wacken Fest this is not, ya know what I’m saying?
Sounds great, so it’s a small price to pay to confuse the amazing town of Habichtswald with the Naturpark Habichtswald. ;-)
