When planning a trip to Weisbach, two distinct experiences stand out: organic farming and traditional woodcarving. Both offer clear themes, but have different visiting requirements. Activities for groups can be arranged at the Hartmann organic farm by prior arrangement; you should also clarify access to the workshop in advance. This lets you plan your stay around your interests and the necessary arrangements.
Farming at the Hartmann organic farm
The Hartmann organic farm in Weisbach is a certified farm offering educational experiences and demonstrations of organic farming. Its topics range from cattle farming, chickens and eggs to grain, soil and water. The offer therefore covers animal husbandry and agricultural products as well as the basics of cultivation. Hands-on activities complement these topics; refreshments are also available. Group activities can be arranged by prior coordination. Those interested in organic farming will find several different topics to discuss and explore here, rather than just one main focus.
Woodcarving in the workshop
A different perspective is offered by a visit to Thomas Eyring’s workshop on Rhönbergstraße. There, visitors can watch traditional woodcarving in progress. Access must be arranged with the workshop before your visit. Unlike the organic farm, with its wide range of topics, the focus here is on a single craft and its practice. So when planning your time in Weisbach, you can weigh up an insight into several areas of farming against watching traditional woodcarving.
More options in the wider destination of Oberelsbach
In the wider destination of Oberelsbach, hiking routes of varying lengths and difficulty levels are available. The easy, family-friendly Rhön Circular Trail 9 – Butterfly Nature Trail is 4.4 km long and suitable for strollers. Information boards along the route explain the habits of local butterfly species. The moderately difficult Rhön Circular Trail 1 – Five Districts is considerably longer at 15.9 km and connects all five districts of the Oberelsbach market municipality. The comparison is clear: a short, easy loop with a butterfly theme, or a longer, moderately difficult route connecting the districts.
Another hiking option in the Oberelsbach destination is the certified premium extra tour Hochrhöntour. It is around 15 km long and passes through meadows and forests via the Thüringer Hütte, the Basaltsee and the Schwabenhimmel. For longer journeys, the Rhön Cycle Route offers a different scale: it stretches 180 km from Bad Salzungen in Thuringia to Hammelburg in Bavaria and crosses Oberelsbach roughly halfway along.
Nature and culture in Oberelsbach
The Rhön Biosphere Reserve Centre, Haus der Langen Rhön, in Oberelsbach has a permanent exhibition about the UNESCO Rhön Biosphere Reserve. There is also a rally for children: Elsbeth the Rhön sheep asks questions and encourages them to look closely. Dark-sky preservation is another topic in the Oberelsbach destination. All street lighting in Oberelsbach is designed with this in mind; the Rhön International Dark Sky Park was awarded its designation in 2014.
Every two years, the Oberelsbach market municipality holds the Rhöner Maskenfastnacht carnival. Spanmänner, Fosenöchter and other participants parade through the streets in traditional costumes and historic wooden masks; the public is invited. If you would like to combine your trip with this festival, check the specific event dates in advance.
Discover more destinations: Sondernau, Unterelsbach.
For the overview of the wider destination: Oberelsbach.
