Wasserkuppe

The Wasserkuppe in the Rhön Mountains is the highest peak in Hesse at 950 meters and is known worldwide as the "cradle of gliding." Its broad, open summit plateau near Gersfeld, about 20 km east of Fulda, draws hikers, glider and paraglider pilots, and families. With a white Cold War radar dome, a historic aviators' memorial, and sweeping views over the rolling Rhön hills, it makes a great outdoor day trip in central Germany.

Why it matters

After World War I, when powered flight was heavily restricted in Germany, young engineers and pilots came here to experiment with gliders. The first Rhön gliding competition took place in 1920, and the Wasserkuppe became the birthplace of modern soaring. An aviators' memorial topped by a bronze eagle was erected on the summit in 1923. During the Cold War, US forces and later the German military operated a radar station here until 1998. One of the domes, the Radom, survives as a viewing platform.

Things to do on the Wasserkuppe

• Climb the Radom: walk around the platform for panoramic views across the Rhön.
• German Gliding Museum: historic gliders, model aircraft, and the story of the mountain, including its misuse during the Nazi era.
• Watch the gliders: sailplanes and paragliders launch from the airfield when the wind is right; sightseeing flights can be booked.
• Hike: a short loop of about 2.5 km crosses the plateau to the Radom and memorial, and longer trails lead to the Rotes Moor bog and the source of the Fulda River.
• Summer toboggan run and, in winter, ski lifts and sledding slopes.

Gliding Museum hours and tickets

The German Gliding Museum is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. from April 1 to October 31. From November it opens weekends only, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., but daily between December 20 and January 10 (closed December 24 and 31). Admission is 7 EUR for adults and free for children up to 15 accompanied by an adult. Pets are not allowed inside. As of October 2026. The summit itself is free and always open; the Radom platform charges a small fee.

How to get to the Wasserkuppe

Take an ICE to Fulda, roughly an hour from Frankfurt, then the hourly Rhön railway to Gersfeld and a local bus up the mountain; check the RMV journey planner for current bus times. Regional trains and buses are covered by the Deutschlandticket. Drivers can reach the summit plateau via Gersfeld, with paid parking on top that fills up on sunny weekends.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, if you enjoy wide-open landscapes, aviation history, or easy hikes with big views. Bring a jacket: the summit is often noticeably colder and windier than the valleys. Combine your visit with the baroque old town of Fulda or the Rotes Moor nature reserve.