A 25-metre-high observation tower, a cycle route with Niederaula as its destination, and a market held regularly on Saturdays offer different focal points for planning a trip. In Niederaula, architectural history, outdoor activity and a specific event calendar come together. If you’re looking for hotels in Niederaula, it’s best to decide first whether your trip will focus mainly on cycling, the Mengshäuser Kuppe or market day. The market has a set time slot, while the cycle route and hiking trail each provide distinct route details for planning.
Cycling and getting your bearings
From Oberaula-Wahlshausen, the Rotkäppchenland Railway Cycle Route follows a route away from the railway line through the Aulatal to Niederaula. The starting point, route and destination are clearly defined for planning your ride: the route passes through the Aulatal and ends in Niederaula. The church in Niederaula is a cycle-route and pilgrimage church.
The Radlercafé is located in the centre of Solms, on cycle route R1. The “Freiwillige Feuerwehr - Solmser Radlercafe” association runs it regularly during the summer months. Check whether the Radlercafé is currently open before visiting. This makes it easier to distinguish a café stop from the clearly described route of the Railway Cycle Route.
Mengshäuser Kuppe: Tower and archaeological site
The Heussner Tower on the Mengshäuser Kuppe is 25 metres high. The present-day observation tower, built from precast concrete elements, was constructed in 1964 and renovated by the municipality of Niederaula in 1990. Its height, building material and construction dates make it a clearly defined destination for anyone interested in the structure’s history.
Also on the Mengshäuser Kuppe, on the northern slope, is the Wallenfels castle site, also known as Waldenfels. The archaeological site can be reached via a forest track. The well-signposted “Schwälmer Weg” X 10 hiking trail leads from Niederaula-Mengshausen to the hill. The Schwälmer Weg leads to the hill; the forest track provides access to the castle grounds.
Market day and the banks of the Fulda
Since 2002, the Niederaula Owl Market has been held from February to December on the first Saturday of each month. It is open from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the fairground on Hattenbacher Straße. If you’re making the market the focus of your trip, you can plan specifically for a Saturday; check the local calendar before travelling.
Another point of interest is in Mengshausen, a district of Niederaula: a canoe landing site on the banks of the Fulda. It provides a specific landmark for planning a canoe trip. The market and landing site offer different focal points: a recurring date in the local calendar and a named spot on the riverbank.
Culture in the wider destination of Hersfeld-Rotenburg
For broader cultural planning, the wider destination of Hersfeld-Rotenburg offers events to plan around. The Bad Hersfeld Festival has been held annually in the monastery ruins since 1951. The Lullusfest in Bad Hersfeld has been celebrated every year without interruption since 852, during the week of 16 October, in honour of the town’s founder, Lullus. These annual events differ in their calendar timing from the Owl Market, which is held on the first Saturday of each month from February to December. If you include cultural events in your travel plans, check the specific dates.
Discover more destinations: Niederjossa, Heringen, Ludwigsau, Philippsthal, Bebra, Alheim, Hohenroda, Nentershausen.
Return to the main travel overview: Hersfeld-Rotenburg.
