Main Cycle Tour 09 - Stage Hofgeismar - Bad Karlshafen

First ascent, then hilly with descent to Diemeltal, then railroad line to Bad Carlshafen, regional signposting, longer gravel sections, first part sporty

Difficulty level: demanding
Trail quality: ★★☆☆
Signposting: ★★★☆

Initially following the Hessian long-distance cycle route R 4, the route heads west from Hofgeismar's old town to the Gesundbrunnen park. Here you leave the R 4 at the city limits. Via Hombressen and Carlsdorf, the route leads away from the cycle path signposts up into the Reinhardswald Nature Park.

At the top of the Reinhardswald, you will find primeval tree giants such as the venerable chimney oak in the Sababurg primeval forest. Cycling is not permitted in the protected area. From the parking lot (lock your bike here), you can explore the nature reserve on attractive circular trails. Our next destination is the Sababurg, where Sleeping Beauty once spent her fairytale sleep. Not far away is the Sababurg zoo, which is particularly attractive for a family outing.

The GPS track now follows a longer forest passage to Stammen on the Diemel. Here we meet up with the Hessian long-distance cycle route R 4 again. The R 4 now accompanies us through the Diemel valley to Bad Karlshafen.

Our next destination is Trendelburg, where Rapunzel let her hair down from the high and mighty castle tower. From Trendelburg, a railroad track leads along the Diemel, which has different surfaces and is still under construction. Part of this Hessian cycle path R4 is already smoothly asphalted.

The highlight is the Carlsbahn tunnel, although it is closed in winter due to bats (November 1 to March 31) and, for environmental reasons, can only be reached via a steeper sliding ramp at the south portal, as a section of the track has not been developed as a cycle path. The moated castle in Wülmersen is without water, as the ditches have disappeared.

Cyclists can enjoy an excellent ride to the baroque spa town of Bad Karlshafen on the completed asphalt surface. If you have time, you should visit the Huguenot Tower with a view of Karlshafen. Incidentally, the German Huguenot Museum in the town offers interesting documentation about the Huguenots who were expelled from France and found a new home in Karlshafen.