Waldhusche
What exactly is a ‘Waldhusche’? Or a ‘Holzriese’ (wood giant)? What does wild browsing mean? How does natural regeneration work? Why were game fences built in the past? And what is a ‘Pflanzkamp’?
You can find answers to these and many other questions at the 66-hectare Waldhusche exhibition and adventure park in Hinterhermsdorf. Children and adults alike can go on a discovery tour through the open-air forest history site. You will encounter many surprises and new things at the interactive stations, which showcase historical forestry work and illustrate thought-provoking ideas for future forest use. The open-air site is particularly suitable for children to actively explore the forest. Four interconnected themed trails combine impressive historical forestry facilities with active play elements and stations for pure enjoyment of nature.
These four themed trails lead through the Waldhusche forest:
The Forest Adventure Trail (Waldabenteuerweg) features numerous play stations that invite visitors to explore the forest in a whole new way.
The Historical Forest Use Trail (Historischer Waldnutzungsweg) shows how and for what purposes the forest was used in the past and is still used today.
The Nature Enjoyment Trail (Naturgenussweg) focuses on the relaxation that the forest offers us.
The Forest Knowledge Trail (Waldkundeweg) provides information about the animals and plants in the forest.
Click here to enlarge the map.
Some of the themed trails are wheelchair accessible (pink dotted line in the map), but there are some inclines to negotiate.
How to get there:
By public transport: Take bus 241 from Pirna and Bad Schandau or bus 269 from Sebnitz to the Hinterhermsdorf, Hoffnung stop. From here, head directly opposite the bus stop onto Dorfbachweg, then turn right and follow the panoramic trail marked with a yellow dot, which will take you directly to one of the Waldhusche entrances. If you turn right at the next intersection onto Beize street, you will arrive directly at the Beizehaus information centre.
By car: The paid car park ‘Buchenparkhalle’ is located directly at one of the entrances to the Waldhusche. In Hinterhermsdorf, follow the signs to ‘Obere Schleuse’, which will take you directly to the car park. Alternative parking is available in the car park in the town centre directly opposite the tourist information office. From here, you will still need to walk through Hinterhermsdorf.