The nature of the national park and the knowledge about it should be accessible to as many people as possible. Here is a list of some of the Hainich National Park's offers that are easily and barrier-free accessible.
The Joelette is a single-wheeled wheelchair that requires assistance to use. Depending on their own weight, people with disabilities require 3 to 4 people to push or pull the walking wheelchair and to facilitate and accompany the transfer from the wheelchair to the walking wheelchair. It is important to be able to take turns transporting the wheelchair.
Both individual visitors and school classes can use the Joelette. A ranger will provide comprehensive instruction on the hiking wheelchair when it is hired and, of course, route recommendations will be given. A helmet should be brought from home; helmets are compulsory for children.
The hiking wheelchair is available at the UBiS environmental education station near Kammerforst. Anyone interested can contact the national park administration(Nationalpak.Hainich(at)nnl.thueringen.de) to make an appointment.
The barrier-free design of the forest promenade guarantees a comfortable and stress-free walk (1.2 km). The path is a combination of water-bound gravel sections and wooden walkways. This also gently bridges differences in altitude and provides a particularly attractive approach to the forest. Along the second half of the trail there are eleven themed islands that encourage you to consciously enjoy the forest.
Visitors with and without disabilities are invited to set out on the path, to open up, to silence all thoughts of everyday life, of the past and the future, and to linger at the 14 different stations. The newly designed path in the Brunstal valley encourages an encounter with the forest "at eye level": sensually, emotionally, artistically and intellectually. 3.2 km long.
The Silberborn Trail is suitable for wheelchair users. There are two variants of the trail, both of which end at the Silberbornlinde. One path has gradients of up to 10% and is 2.8 km long. The second variant only has gradients of up to 5% and is 2 km long. Both trails are signposted on site.
You can find more information about the Silberborn adventure trail here.
An elevator provides access to the 530 m long path at a height of 20 m, even for older people, wheelchair users and families with baby carriages.
However, the tower with a view at a height of 40 m can only be reached via stairs.
You can find more information about the treetop path here.
Three of the national park information points around the national park are barrier-free: the national park information points in the national park center and in the wild cat village of Hütscheroda as well as the Harsberg national park information point. They are the ideal starting points for exploring the Hainich. In addition to maps and information material, each national park information point offers an exhibition worth seeing with different thematic focuses on nature. Rangers are on site as contact persons for all visitors.
The first floor of the National Park Center is barrier-free. In the second part of the exhibition, a staircase leads up to the first floor to a small treetop path; unfortunately, this is not suitable for people with walking difficulties.
The root cave is barrier-free. It has two short inclines (no more than 6 degrees) at the beginning and end.
A media guide documents the individual stations in German, Polish, English and Dutch. It also offers explanations in easy language (for people with reading difficulties), in living language (for people with visual impairments) and in sign language. You can either borrow a tablet or use your own smartphone to connect to an in-house network.
Here you can find more information about the National Park Center at Thiemsburg Castle.
The Wildcat Village is accessible for wheelchair users. There are three parking spaces for people with disabilities at the wildcat barn. Access to the wildcat clearing is possible. A so-called transponder for opening an electronic barrier must be collected from the Wildcat Barn (deposit required).
There is a barrier-free toilet in the Wildcat Barn.
Unfortunately, there are currently no exhibition materials (e.g. subtitles, audio guides/audio cassettes) available for hearing-impaired, blind and visually impaired people.
You can find more information about the Wildcat Village Hütscheroda here.
People with disabilities are very welcome here! There are three wheelchair-accessible rooms. Almost all areas of the youth hostel are barrier-free. Please enquire directly at the youth hostel about the possibilities of disabled-friendly accommodation and disabled-friendly arrangements for your stay.