Marburg-Biedenkopf: Landscapes, Water and Culture

Landscapes and regional features

The district encompasses a variety of low mountain landscapes, numerous half-timbered villages, and historic as well as young, modern towns. Together with their settlements, the Burgwald, the Gladenbach Uplands, the Amöneburg Basin and the Lahn Valley offer geological, cultural-historical, developmental, artistic and folkloric features and sights. This means the region cannot be reduced to a single type of landscape or culture: interests can range from nature and hiking to half-timbered architecture and regional history.

Perf Reservoir: cycling, water and a walking path

Numerous regional and long-distance cycling routes intersect at the Perf Reservoir, making it a popular destination for cycling trips. There are e-bike charging stations, a bicycle repair station and plenty of free parking on site. Non-motorised boats are permitted on the lake, including for stand-up paddleboarding and canoeing.

A walking path around the lake is accessible year-round and suitable for pushchairs. This offers a range of options: a trip on the water, a cycling excursion or a walk along the shore. Nearby, the “Im Wehr bei Breidenstein” nature reserve provides a refuge, particularly for waterfowl.

Hiking in the Burgwald

The 18-kilometre Himmelsberg Tour is a premium hiking trail in the Burgwald region. It passes through Burgholz and Himmelsberg, as well as forests, meadows and fields; it also runs through a Natura 2000 protected area. The 13.2-kilometre Galgenberg Tour is also designated as a premium hiking trail. It passes through Gemünden, where it skirts the historically significant Jewish cemetery.

The route lengths provide a clear indication of the scope of the two hikes: the Himmelsberg Tour is longer, while the Galgenberg Tour also takes in the cemetery in Gemünden. When choosing a route, you can therefore consider not only its length but also the landscapes and places described.

Cultural history and events

As a local heritage museum, the museum in Biedenkopf Castle presents 900 years of cultural history from the Hinterland region across 1,000 m². The Schartenhof in Biedenkopf-Eckelshausen, which is more than 300 years old, offers another facet of regional history. It is one of the region’s historically significant half-timbered buildings in Marburg-Biedenkopf, Hesse, and is now a centre for art, culture and music.

The Schartenhof presents seasonal exhibitions featuring work from the region, as well as exhibitions of painting, photography, graphic art and sculpture. There is also puppet theatre with performances of classical operas. Biedenkopf also celebrates the Grenzgang every seven years: the three-day festival takes place at historic forest sites and brings together locals and visitors from all over the world.

The district’s Route of Industrial and Working Culture explores the history of work and industry, as well as the historic and modern capabilities of local businesses. It includes tourist attractions and educational sites outside the classroom. Numerous interactive stations at the locations share knowledge about the region.

Guided tours in Marburg

Public guided tours of Marburg can be booked with a ticket for a suitable date. For getting around the city: the walk from St Elizabeth’s Church to the historic market square takes about 15 minutes. Lifts at Pilgrimstein can help with the ascent.

Discover more destinations: Gladenbach, Bad Endbach, Biedenkopf, Römershausen, Breidenbach, Caldern, Steffenberg, Dautphetal.

View the overall travel guide: Hesse.