The Auriniapfad connects the so-called corridor, an artificially created path through the forest, grazing areas and beautiful views of Wartburg Castle and the Thuringian Forest, over 2.2 km. The corridor is a hiking trail created - not for people, but for the golden fritillary butterfly.
Starting point
The Aurinia Trail starts at the Bolleroda hiking park. The boards provide information on the grazing projects in the national park and on the trail's namesake, Euphydryas aurinia, the golden fritillary butterfly. Its occurrence in the national park is the richest in individuals on dry sites in the whole of Germany. This inhabitant of open habitats (as opposed to forests) is considered highly endangered in both Germany and Thuringia.
The path leads along the edge of the forest and after a few meters turns left into a sparse forest of oak, hornbeam, birch, hawthorn, hazel, ash and poplar. We pass some spruce trees that have fallen victim to the drought and the bark beetle. Spruce trees are not native to the national park, so their death is a step towards more nature.
Corridor
We reach the "corridor". This connects protection zone 1 of the national park with protection zone 2. It is an artificially created path through the forest. The aim of this corridor is to allow individuals of the golden fritillary butterfly to migrate slowly from conservation zone 1 into the grazed conservation zone 2. In the coming years, shrubs and trees will slowly grow again on the remaining open land habitats in protection zone 1. In conservation zone 2, on the other hand, the habitat of the golden fritillary butterfly will be preserved as grazing animals keep the landscape open here. We walk about 400 meters along the corridor. In summer, numerous plants such as wild teasel, chicory, wild carrot and scabious bloom here.
With a bit of luck, you might even spot a butterfly or two here.
Eaves and bench with a view
After a short stretch through the forest, we reach an eaves that invites us to take a break. From here, you can enjoy a wonderful view to the south towards the famous Wartburg Castle. We now walk downhill along the pasture fence and reach the bench in memory of our ranger Ronald Demuth. He made a great contribution to the mapping of butterflies in the national park and gradually became an expert on butterflies and other insects. In the branches above the bench is a model of a rhinoceros beetle, whose name says it all.
After another stretch through the forest, we return to the starting point at the hiking parking lot.