What to do in Trendelburg and Hofgeismar | German Fairy Tale Route

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Written by jokelybaert

The German Fairy Tale Route takes us to Trendelburg and Hofgeismar. We glide through the green landscape in a canoe, gazing up at Rapunzel’s tower, wandering through the Sababurg Wild Park and the Primeval Forest, and strolling around the castle of Sleeping Beauty. Hofgeismar itself also enchants us with its half-timbered houses, charming squares, and a touch of magic.

The German Fairy Tale Route takes you along the fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm and runs from Hanau to Bremen. We chose to cover a part of the route and have already visited Kassel, Alsfeld, Hessisch Lichtenau, and Heilbad Heilingenstadt.

Our final stop is in the charming Hofgeismar, just four hours from Brussels, but first, we will make a visit to Trendelburg.

Trendelburg, visiting Rapunzel

Trendelburg seems to come right out of a fairy tale book. The tower of the medieval castle rises high above the town. This is where the Brothers Grimm found their inspiration for the fairy tale of Rapunzel.

Canoe Trip

A unique activity in Trendelburg is a canoe trip on the Diemel. You can book both day trips and multi-day trips. We chose the trip from Trendelburg to Wülmershausen, 7.5 kilometers along the beautiful river. In Wülmershausen, we were picked up and taken back to Trendelburg where our camper was parked.

You can reserve canoe trips at Kanu Schumacher. You will receive a canoe, paddles, a life jacket, and a dry bag.

A swan gracefully swimming in a calm river, surrounded by lush greenery and wildflowers along the bank.
A serene view of a river bordered by lush greenery and trees, reflecting the foliage on the water's surface.
A canoe resting on the riverbank surrounded by lush greenery along the Diemel River in Trendelburg.
A young girl wearing a life jacket sits in a canoe, paddling along a serene river surrounded by lush greenery.
A scenic view from a canoe on the Diemel River, surrounded by lush greenery and trees, with calm waters visible.
Two people paddling a canoe on a river, surrounded by lush greenery and trees.
Interior view of a canoe showing a red and white container in the center, secured by woven straps on wooden frames.
A person in a pink and gray life jacket paddling a canoe on a river, with lush greenery visible in the background.
Kanotocht Trendelburg

Lunch at Rapunzel’s Tower

We lunch in a beautiful location at Burghotel Trendelburg. Here you can find the tower of Rapunzel and enjoy a stunning view over the valley of Trendelburg. The restaurant is beautifully and luxuriously decorated and has an extensive children’s menu.

Visitors approaching the entrance of a medieval castle, with a stone tower and wall, surrounded by lush greenery and flowers.
A close-up of Rapunzel's tower in Trendelburg, featuring its stone texture and surrounding greenery.
Entrance to a medieval castle with stone walls and a wooden walkway adorned with flowers.
A suit of medieval armor displayed indoors, showcasing intricate designs on the breastplate and the dimly lit wooden surroundings.
Outdoor dining area with colorful chairs set against the stone wall of a castle tower, surrounded by greenery and flowers.
A charming half-timbered building with a sloping roof and large windows, set in a lush green landscape, surrounded by trees.
A medieval tower surrounded by ivy-covered walls, featuring a cobblestone courtyard with plants and outdoor seating.
A young girl walks through a beautifully decorated restaurant with floral curtains, elegant tables, and a stunning view.
Interior view of Burghotel Trendelburg, showcasing elegantly set dining tables and a knight statue in the foreground.
A child with a braided hairstyle is seen from the back, standing in a narrow stone passageway inside a castle, holding onto a rope for support.
A family stands in front of Rapunzel's tower at Trendelburg Castle, surrounded by greenery and historic stone walls under a clear blue sky.
A child sits on a stone wall near a medieval tower, surrounded by flowers and a scenic view of trees and rooftops in the background.
A young girl with a braid stands in front of a medieval stone tower, overlooking a lush green landscape and rooftops, embodying a fairy tale atmosphere.
Close-up of a medieval tower covered in vines, with a scenic view of a landscape in the background.
Burghotel Trendelburg

Hofgeismar, town at the foot of Sleeping Beauty’s castle

Our last stop is just a quarter of an hour away and is certainly not the least. Hofgeismar is the base for a visit to Sababurg, the fairy-tale castle of Sleeping Beauty.

Sababurg

Sababurg, better known as Sleeping Beauty Castle, is a romantic castle surrounded by ancient trees and rose bushes. The atmosphere is magical with overgrown walls and the view of the hills of Reinhardswald.

The castle is currently under renovation. As a result, the wall walk is not accessible.

From May 29 to October 3, 2025, the gardens of the castle can be visited for free on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays from 10 AM to 6 PM.

On Saturdays at 2:30 PM, a theater performance takes place featuring the story of Sleeping Beauty in English. At 2 PM, you can attend the German version.

A young girl walking on a path in a garden near a medieval castle tower under a clear blue sky.
Interior view of a medieval stone castle with a prominent circular tower, featuring arched openings and sunlight casting shadows on the courtyard floor.
A medieval castle tower shrouded in greenery, with a winding pathway leading up to a large, wooden gate.
Ivy-covered wall of a medieval castle tower with windows, showcasing a blend of stone and greenery.
Two people walking towards a medieval castle in Trendelburg, with ivy-covered walls and a clear sky.
A medieval castle with rounded towers nestled among green trees, evoking a fairy tale atmosphere.
A distant view of Trendelburg Castle, perched on a hillside surrounded by green trees and foliage.
Sababurg

Sababurg Primeval Forest

A special place near Sababurg Castle is the Sababurg Primeval Forest. This forest is a protected area and boasts impressive fauna and flora. You can take three short walks here, ranging from 1.2 to 4 km. These walks take you past magnificent oaks that are hundreds of years old.

The primeval forest sparks the imagination and serves as the backdrop for countless tales of giants and princesses who are said to have lived there.

The parking lot Urwald Sababurg is located across the street.

A close-up view of a fallen tree trunk covered in lush green moss, set in a dense forest environment.
A close-up view of a mushroom growing on a log in a forest setting, with soft shadows and natural lighting.
A small mushroom growing on a bed of moss in a forest setting.
Sunlight filtering through trees in a lush green forest, showcasing fallen logs and dense foliage.
Two children sitting on a fallen tree trunk in a lush green forest, surrounded by tall trees and sunlight filtering through the leaves.
A family poses beside a large, weathered tree trunk in a green forest, surrounded by lush foliage.
A large, ancient tree with a hollow trunk stands in a lush green forest, surrounded by ferns and other foliage.
A serene view of a primeval forest featuring a large, fallen tree surrounded by lush greenery and dappled sunlight filtering through the leaves.
Oerbos Sababurg

Sababurg Tierpark

We visit one of the oldest wildlife parks in Europe, the Sababurg Tierpark, in the Naturpark Reinhardswald. The park was founded in the 16th century by Landgrave Wilhelm IV, who established it as a hunting ground.

A wild boar sitting on the sandy ground amidst trees and logs in a natural habitat.
Close-up of a wolf sitting in a grassy area, showcasing its striking facial features and attentive expression.
A lynx with distinctive tufted ears and spotted fur sitting among green grass, viewed through a fence.
A close-up view of a wolverine resting on a rocky ledge with a natural background.
Tierpark Sababurg

Meanwhile, it is an animal park featuring primarily indigenous, wild European animals. The animals have spacious, natural habitats that reflect the wooded character of the area well. The park is home to more than 900 animals of 80 different species, including wolves, European bison, lynxes, wild horses, deer, and wild boars.

You can choose to visit the park on your own or follow a guided tour. These tours typically last 1.5 to 2 hours.

Two wolves walking through a grassy area with trees in the background.
A family walking along a shady path in a forest, surrounded by tall trees and greenery.
A person standing with arms outstretched in front of a large tree, showcasing its impressive trunk and leafy surroundings.
Close-up view of the textured bark of a tree, showcasing intricate patterns and colors.
Close-up of a wild boar in a natural setting, with a focus on its facial features and textures.
A young deer lying on grassy ground next to a stone wall.
Sababurg Tierpark

City Walk in Hofgeismar

The charming Hofgeismar is a small town in North Hesse, just 25 km from Kassel.

Our walk starts at the Market Square by the statue of Sleeping Beauty and the prince, right next to the tourist office. From here, we can see the former Town Hall which has a history of more than 800 years. The basement of the building was first used in the 12th-13th century as a market hall. Subsequently, the building took on the role of town hall. In the 18th century, the Town Hall fell into decay and was demolished and rebuilt. A century later, however, misfortune struck, and the building was partially destroyed by a fire. Renovations had to be carried out again, giving the Town Hall its current form.

A bronze sculpture depicting a scene from a fairy tale, featuring a prince reaching out to a princess lying on a pedestal, set against a backdrop of traditional half-timbered houses in a quaint town.
A picturesque view of the Market Square in Hofgeismar, featuring a mix of half-timbered houses and a historical building with a clock tower.
Markt, Hofgeismar

We walk along the Marktstraße and encounter the Würfelspiel-Denkmal or Dice Monument. Our guide tells us the story of the Dice Saga.

In 1401 the city was under siege for months. There was no end in sight, which made the two parties come up with a very unique solution. They would throw the dice to decide who could get the ownership of the city. The opponents throw the dice and scored 17 points with three dices, making them almost certain of their victory. However, the city’s representative scored the maximum score of 18 points, which made them keep their city. Historically, the siege did take place, however it’s unlikely that the dice saga actually took place.

Every year in March, the Würfelturmfest takes place to keep the legend alive and bring people together around stalls. Various activities are also organized for children.

A child playing with dice on a stone wall, with historic buildings in the background.
Children play around bronze statues representing the Dice Saga in Hofgeismar, with a historic half-timbered building in the background.
Statue Würfelspiel-Denkmal

We continue walking until we reach the Neustädter Kirche. An interesting fact about this church is that its bells survived both World Wars.

Children playing near a fountain in the market square of Hofgeismar, surrounded by half-timbered houses.
Colorful half-timbered houses lining a square in Hofgeismar, Germany, with vibrant plants in large pots.
A young girl in a white dress jumps on a small yellow trampoline set into the ground, surrounded by a green playground surface and a backdrop of a traditional half-timbered house with red and white colors.
View of a historic church tower in Hofgeismar, featuring a conical roof and surrounded by trees, with part of the building wrapped in white protective cloth.
Half-timbered houses in Hofgeismar, showcasing traditional German architecture, with a clear blue sky above.
A vintage dress on a mannequin, adorned with floral decorations and displayed in a warmly lit interior, reminiscent of fairy tale attire.

A special museum in Hofgeismar is the Apothekenmuseum. Unfortunately, we didn’t have time to visit it, but in this 13th-century building, you can find over 300 years of pharmaceutical history.

The museum is open on Wednesdays and Sundays from 2 PM to 5 PM, or by appointment.

Where to eat in Hofgeismar?

There are several restaurants in Hofgeismar, although it’s best to reserve a table in advance on the weekend. We ate at Timbered House, right next to the Neustädter church. The restaurant is, as the name suggests, located in a beautiful half-timbered house. You must pay in cash here, as you can only pay with a German bank card.

A charming half-timbered house in Hofgeismar, Germany, featuring a steeply sloped roof and multiple windows, set against a clear blue sky.
Interior of a restaurant featuring a brick wall, leather seating, wooden beams, and a black and yellow jersey framed on the wall.
Timbered House

Where to stay in Trendelburg and Hofgeismar?

You can have a unique overnight stay in Burg Trendelburg, where Rapunzel’s tower is located. We would love to do this next time.

View of the medieval castle tower surrounded by lush greenery and a charming stone building in Trendelburg.
Burg Trendelburg

With the camper, we choose to camp at the spacious Campingplatz Hofgeismar, right next to the swimming pool Bad am Park. There are good sanitary facilities, you can order bread rolls, and definitely catch the sunset! The owner is incredibly friendly and ensures you have a carefree stay.

A serene sunset over rolling hills and a field, with shades of pink and purple in the sky.
A camper van parked in a dimly lit area at dusk, with warm light emanating from its interior.
A scenic view of a field with rolled straw bales under a clear blue sky and lush green hills in the background.
A quiet road lined with lush green hedges leading towards a distant mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.
A spacious camping area with a camper parked along a tree-lined path, surrounded by lush greenery.
Campingplatz Hofgeismar

Have you any questions or would you like to know more? Don’t hesitate to send me a message.

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