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The "Natural Park Upper Vogelsberg” (Naturpark Hoher Vogelsberg) was created in 1958 as the first of its kind. Actually “Nature Park” is a common term, although many don’t know what it really means. It is the specific aim of a Natural Park to preserve the natural beauty and characteristic of extensive landscapes and to tap it for the relaxation of the population.
Parking for hikers at the Ringstraße: 1. Ulrichsteiner Kreuz - 2. Wiesenhof - 3. Poppestruth with shelter - 4. Ludwigsbrunnen with grill (barbecue) - 5. Charlottenhöhe with shelter - 6. Rote Erde - 7. Niddaquelle - 8. Heide - 9. Steinbruch - 10. Hoherain - 11. Liegewiese - 12. Buschhorn - 13. Röderkopf with nature trail.
At the beginning main emphasis was put on the infrastructure. Parking spaces were put up. As well as shelters and barbecue lodges, sign posts and other useful labelling was done. There is an info centre on the Hoherodskopf. These practical measures have been accompanied by scientific support, by courses and events to create sympathy for the habitat “Natural Park”. Pathes and tracks have been enlarged to 3000 km of trails in the “Hess centre” and in the winter there are about 50 km of cross-country ski runs and four lifts in the Oberwald. The Petershainer Hof is a recreation centre for young people, around the castle of Ulrichstein the "Vogelsberg Garden" was made. The youth hostel on the Hoherodskopf is generally accepted as a nature youth hostel. - "Natural Parc leaders" are trained to show visitors the beauty and peculiarity of the natural park.
Entering the forest on well-kept paths.
All this could not only be done by the Zweckverband. Local authorities and tourist active collaboration of private persons and clubs help to open the National Park to the public.
The number of visitors – up to 6 million per year – prove the great acceptance of the "Natural Park Hoher Vogelsberg". But there are also disadvantages. Especially on week-ends with nice weather there are hosts of visitors on the Hoherodskopf, at the Nidda Stausee, Niedermosser See and in the Oberwald. Litter, noise, dogs running about without leashes, unauthorized drivers in the National Park collecting plants or wild camping and other week-end enterprises damage the symbiosis of fauna and flora. Although only a minority does harm to nature, its consequences are enormous.
(Translated from German by Heidi M. Schneider)
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