Grebenhain in the Vogelsberg region is relaxing, natural, livable, and active—briefly: “a volcano full of enjoyment” in the heart of the Vulkanregion Vogelsberg Nature Park.
The Vogelsberg around Grebenhain lies in the southern part of the German Fairy Tale Route, between the Brothers Grimm town of Steinau an der Straße and the “Little Red Riding Hood Land” around Alsfeld.
Grebenhain for lovers of fairy tales
Typical of Grebenhain are legends of the devil (such as the Devil’s Mill in Ilbeshausen, the Devil’s Stone, and “The Outwitted Devil of Ilbeshausen”) as well as mysterious tales (such as “The Bewitched Maid” and “The Old Woman in Schershain”). Most of these stories were collected from oral tradition by Theodor Bindewald.
Nature park guides from the Vulkanregion Vogelsberg Nature Park offer guided tours to these legendary sites in the Oberwald forest.
The coat of arms of Grebenhain features the half-timbered figure known as the “Wild Man,” which can also be found in the timber framing of the Devil’s Mill. The term “Mann” (man figure) refers to a type of structural brace in Alemannic and Franconian half-timbered architecture. These structures were commonly built between 1470 and 1550 during the transition from medieval to early modern timber construction in central Germany. Such “man figures” are generally referred to as “Wild Men” and are believed to have historically served an apotropaic (evil-warding) function, derived from the mythical figure of the wild man.
Grebenhain for visitors and day-trippers
Well-maintained hiking trails lead to basalt formations in the Oberwald forest. The spa district of Ilbeshausen-Hochwaldhausen offers an outdoor and indoor swimming pool, as well as a spa park with a mini-golf course.
The Vulkanradweg cycling trail runs directly through the municipality. In the district of Hartmannshain, you will also find the endpoint of the Südbahnradweg. In addition to the Vulkanradweg, the Bonifatius Route and the Vulkanring Vogelsberg also pass through Grebenhain.
This makes the municipality an ideal base for active holidays, whether on wheels, skates, or hiking boots.
The Herchenhainer Höhe offers a ski lift approximately 800 meters long. Nearby, groomed cross-country ski trails run through the Oberwald. In total, around 60 kilometers of interconnected trails are available in the Vogelsberg region. In the Grebenhain area, the villages of Herchenhain and Bermuthshain serve as access points for cross-country skiers.
