It was time for a few days off. So we decided to visit the Hainich, a primeval forest in the midst of Germany. Used by the German Wehrmacht as tank training ground, taken over by the Red Army in 1945 and used by the National People’s Army of the GDR from 1965, the area was isolated for decades. Located at the former inner German border, the so called Iron Curtain, civil use was banned until Germany’s reunification in 1990. Thus, nature had been able to create an almost undisturbed forest and fortunately the Hainich was converted to one of Germany’s national parks in 1998.

We stayed in the “Residenz am Kurpark“, located right in the spa garden of Bad Langensalza. There were no cars around and Emily could just jump outside and play :-) Run by a very friendly team, it was a perfect home base for our trips into the National Park. Thanks to the whole team for a very pleasant stay!

We hiked several beautiful trails in the National Park, discovered old fairy tails, went high above the trees on a canopy walk, just escaped a tree labyrinth before twilight, got guided by ranger signs and met wild cats and big snakes. Having been there quite early in the year we could marvel at the sprouting of flowers and trees. It was great to see, how nature (if slowly) is healing destruction and that military training grounds and iron curtains can have some positive effects as well.

It was a very relaxing long weekend in a beautiful surrounding with awesome company. Thanks to Melanie and Emily for all the fun, joy, and love you are sharing with me (not only in these four days)! We have decided to come back when all the trees are in full green.

Greetings from a pristine spot in the middle of Germany!
Michael