Neu-Anspach combines the Hessenpark Open-Air Museum with opportunities for hiking, cycling and relaxing in the countryside. When planning, it is worth bearing in mind the different scales of what is on offer: Hessenpark is dedicated to rural life in Hesse, while the trails range from a short themed route to a long pilgrimage route. You can therefore choose accommodation based on which discoveries you would like to shape your stay.
Hessenpark: Village History and Family Trail
The Hessenpark Open-Air Museum is located in Neu-Anspach in the Hochtaunuskreis district. More than one hundred buildings from past centuries bring the history of rural life in Hesse to life. A family trail introduces children and adults together to questions about how people used to live, work and make their homes. The buildings and the trail each offer a different focus: historic village life on the one hand, and the everyday lives of its people as a shared thread of discovery on the other.
There are also specific places to stop for refreshments within the museum: traditional inns serving regional delicacies are located on the market square and in the North Hesse group of buildings. As individual businesses may change, check what is currently available if you want to base your visit plans on this.
Hiking: A Short Route or a Challenging Pilgrimage Trail
The Wild Boar Trail starts at the community centre in Hausen-Arnsbach, a district of Neu-Anspach. It is about three kilometres long and suitable for pushchairs. The route passes through woodland, fields and open countryside; information boards and interactive stations shape the nature experience for children and adults. Its length and features provide a practical guide for anyone looking to include a shorter route in their plans.
The Elisabeth Path is quite different: this challenging 53.87-kilometre pilgrimage and hiking trail passes through Neu-Anspach. Compared with the approximately three-kilometre Wild Boar Trail, it is on a different scale and is rated as challenging. Those travelling on foot can therefore choose between a short themed route and a longer trail explicitly rated as challenging. Check the conditions on the route you have chosen before setting out.
Cycling, the Forest Swimming Pool and Getting Around
The Usa or Usatal Cycle Path runs from Schmitten-Brombach via Usingen and Neu-Anspach towards the Wetterau region. Neu-Anspach is centrally located in the Hintertaunus and has good transport links; the town is a suitable starting and finishing point for hiking and cycling tours. When looking for accommodation, you can first decide whether cycling, hiking or Hessenpark will be the main focus of your stay, and then check the details of your chosen tour.
For another option for a relaxing break, the forest swimming pool is located at the edge of the forest, surrounded by nature and away from the noise of everyday life. It has a separate pool for toddlers. If this facility is important for your visit, check its current features in advance.
More Topics in the Broader Hochtaunus Destination
Beyond Neu-Anspach, the broader Hochtaunus destination offers its own cultural and hiking attractions. The Limes Experience Trail Hochtaunus follows the course of the Limes hiking trail or Limes cycle path and runs for more than 30 kilometres from Glashütten to Ober-Mörlen. For this longer route, it is advisable to check the conditions before setting off.
Another distinct cultural attraction in the Hochtaunus is Kronberg Castle. It stands on a rocky spur on the southern slope of the Taunus and was probably built in the 12th century as an imperial castle on Hohenstaufen crown lands. In clear weather, the nearly 44-metre-high free-standing tower offers far-reaching views as far as the Spessart and Odenwald. Since 2008, the museum in the north wing of the Middle Castle has housed a permanent exhibition on the castle’s history. The museum and the castle’s interiors can only be visited as part of a guided tour; check the current dates if you are planning a visit.
Bus route 63 is also listed for Hessenpark, running between Wehrheim or Neu-Anspach/Anspach railway station and the Neu-Anspach/Anspach Hessenpark stop. Check the timetable details before travelling. Right next to the open-air museum, there are six e-bike charging stations and a bicycle service station for minor repairs and maintenance that visitors can carry out themselves. It is also a good idea to check the latest visitor information for these facilities.
Discover more destinations: Schmitten, Steinbach, GlashĂĽtten, Oberursel, Weilrod, Friedrichsdorf, Kronberg, Wehrheim.
Back to the broader travel overview: Hochtaunus.
