Obersuhl brings together nature and traces of its ecclesiastical and border history. When looking for accommodation in Obersuhl, it helps to first consider whether nature observation, history, or a combination of both will shape your stay. The “Rhäden” nature reserve, the border history trail and the border museum each offer a different focus; the church in the town centre and the seasonal outdoor swimming pool also add to the picture of the town.
Rhäden: Wetland and circular trail
The “Rhäden” nature reserve covers approximately 250 hectares and is home to more than 250 recorded bird species. The wetland and swamp forest offer a special focus for nature observation. Covered birdwatching stations are located along the approximately 8-kilometre circular trail. The route can be completed on foot or by bicycle. This lets you combine nature observation with a longer outing without having to commit to just one way of getting around.
The “Obersuhler Aue” Special Area of Conservation is a large, uninterrupted river floodplain. It serves as an important stopover and breeding habitat for meadow birds. This ecological significance adds another landscape type to the view of the Rhäden’s birdlife: the river floodplain as a habitat for meadow birds.
Church and border history
The sandstone church stands in the centre of Obersuhl. Its tower and chancel date from 1518. During the renovation of the church interior in 2002, the nave received modern ceiling and wall paintings by Tobias Kammerer. The details about the building elements and artistic design provide two specific points of reference for a visit to the church: the tower and chancel dating from 1518, and the paintings from the 2002 renovation.
The approximately 800-metre-long border history trail begins at the end of Wildeck-Obersuhl in the direction of Gerstungen. It is accessible year-round and can be explored independently. Compared with the approximately 8-kilometre circular trail in the Rhäden, it is the shorter route; at the same time, its theme leads into the history of the border. Check the current condition of the trail before your visit.
The “Auf der Wache” border museum documents the history of the division of Germany from the end of the war to reunification. Photographs and exhibits convey the historical arc of this period. Obersuhl thus offers different ways of exploring the past: the border history trail, which can be explored independently, and the museum, which presents the subject through images and exhibits.
Nature information and outdoor pool
The Wildeck-Obersuhl Nature Conservation Information Centre is a visitor centre and educational facility. Its exhibition presents connections in nature and the landscape. It therefore complements the landscape themes experienced outdoors with an exhibition that explores how they are interconnected. Visitors interested in nature and the landscape can thus choose between the nature areas described above and the information centre, each offering a different focus.
Obersuhl’s heated outdoor swimming pool is located on Vohlstraße. During the summer season, from May to early September, it has a 3-metre diving tower, a water slide and a volleyball court. These facilities make the pool’s seasonal nature clear. If you’re planning a day of swimming, it’s best to check the current opening hours.
In the surrounding area
The Wildecker Tal area around Obersuhl offers, among other attractions, the Blumenstein ruins, Wildeck Castle, the Inselsteich pond and an obelisk. The historical context of the Blumenstein ruins is also worth noting: the surviving masonry belongs to the later-built Blumenstein hunting lodge, dating from 1727. These places in the surrounding area form a separate group of attractions alongside the natural and historical sites described in Obersuhl itself.
For the broader travel overview: Wildeck.
