Hessen with kids – Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land

We spent the hottest weekend of the year (hopefully that’s the hottest it will get this summer!) exploring Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land, a beautiful region in the German state of Hesse, about 4.5 hours by car from Berlin. You can also get there by train if you don’t drive.

Why did we choose this destination? Last year I came across photos of the blooming poppy fields in this region and immediately knew I wanted to see them myself. A little disclaimer though: we visited between 26-28 June, so the poppies were already almost gone. Still, we managed to find a few beautiful blooming fields, and they were absolutely worth the trip.

What is Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land?

Geo-Naturpark Frau-Holle-Land is a beautiful region in northern Hesse, known for its rolling hills, forests, traditional half-timbered towns and scenic walking trails. It’s a place where nature, geology and local legends come together.

The region takes its name from Frau Holle, the famous fairy tale by the Brothers Grimm. According to local legend, this is where Frau Holle lived, with the nearby Hoher Meißner mountain often referred to as her home. You’ll find references to the fairy tale throughout the region, making it a fun destination for families.

If you’re planning a visit and don’t know the story yet, I really recommend reading or listening to it beforehand. It’s a lovely fairy tale, and knowing it makes exploring the region even more magical.

Where to stay in Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land with kids

We stayed at Jugendherberge Eschwege as part of our long-term collaboration with Jugendherberge Germany, and once again we had a wonderful stay.

The rooms are spacious and comfortable, many of them even have loft sleeping areas, which children absolutely love. I also really liked the building itself – it has lots of wood, exposed brick, beautiful mosaics and a stunning ceramic mural in the main lobby.

Breakfast, dinner and packed lunches are available, and as always I enjoyed the food. It’s simple, homemade and family-friendly. Our children are always happy with the meals, and we’ve never had a problem finding something they wanted to eat.

Another thing we appreciated was the large selection of board games, making it easy to spend quality family time together in the evenings. And maybe this sounds a bit strange, but one of my favourite things was actually the poor mobile reception. It naturally limited screen time for all of us, and I always see that as a big advantage during family trips.

The location is fantastic as well. The hostel is surrounded by greenery, there’s a playground on site, and it’s only about a 10-minute walk to Werratalsee, where you’ll find a lovely beach. We spent quite a bit of time there during our stay.

Things to do in Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land with kids

Poppy fields in Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land

The poppy fields were the main reason we came to Frau Holle Land.

There are two places where you can admire them:

• Germerode
• Grandenborn

We visited both.

Poppy fields in Germerode

Although only a few poppies were still blooming, the beautiful wildflower meadows completely made up for it.

There’s a marked walking trail leading through the meadows and fields, and along the way you’ll pass dozens of cherry trees. We probably ate enough cherries for the entire summer – they were incredibly delicious.

This location is well prepared for visitors. There’s a restaurant where you can have lunch, coffee or cake, but remember to bring cash, as they don’t accept cards.

Next to the car park you’ll also find a small shop selling poppy-themed products. Don’t leave without trying the poppy seed ice cream – it was absolutely delicious.

Poppy fields in Grandenborn

Grandenborn is much quieter and doesn’t have a visitor centre, but there’s also a marked trail through the poppy fields.

We actually found more blooming poppies here than in Germerode, and the views were simply beautiful.

I would definitely recommend visiting both places if you’re in the area.

Barfußpfad Hoher Meißner with kids

Just a short drive from the poppy fields in Germerode you’ll find one of our favourite attractions of the weekend: Barfußpfad (Barefoot trail)

I’m sure it’s great all year round, but during the extreme heat it felt like a lifesaver. The entire trail is located in the forest, giving us a welcome break from the sun.

The barefoot trail is about 1.5 kilometres long and includes more than 30 different stations, from soft hay and wooden paths to mud, stones and water. Walking barefoot over so many different natural surfaces is fun.

The entrance fee is only €2 per person, and you simply leave the money in an honesty box at the entrance.

It took us around an hour to complete the trail. Along the way there are also educational stations explaining the forest ecosystem, trees, ants and other wildlife.

It’s a fantastic attraction and really well designed for both children and adults.

Werratalsee

Werratalsee is a lovely lake located very close to the hostel. There’s a sandy beach, toilets and a small playground, making it perfect for families. A walking path also goes all the way around the lake if you feel like stretching your legs.

Eschwege

Eschwege itself is a charming little town with many beautifully preserved half-timbered houses.

It’s not a place packed with tourist attractions, but it’s perfect for a relaxed afternoon stroll through picturesque streets.

Final thoughts about Hessen with kids – Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land

What surprised us most were the landscapes. Rolling hills, wide open spaces and peaceful views everywhere we looked.

I noticed there are plenty of hiking and cycling trails throughout the region. Unfortunately, it was simply too hot for us to try any of them, which is a real shame because I’m sure the views would have been spectacular.

Another thing we loved was how uncrowded everything felt. Even on a summer weekend, there was plenty of space to simply enjoy nature in peace.

Geo-Naturpark Frau Holle Land is definitely a region I’d love to visit again. We only scratched the surface this time, but we left feeling relaxed, rested and already thinking about coming back.

More ideas for trips in Germany, here.