Circumnavigate volcanoes in six days – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring

Hiking Collection by Zoe von Rambling Rocks

Tours

33:52 h

75.0 mi

7,600 ft

Hot, glowing lava, air thick with dust and huge volcanoes. This is what Vogelsberg’s landscape would have looked like about 15 to 18 million years ago. Although there are no active volcanoes here today, their traces remain. On the Vogelsberg Volcanic Ring, you discover fascinating volcanic rock formations as well as mysterious cultural and historical sites, named after local sagas and legends.

In this Collection, I lead you 121 kilometres (75 mi) in six stages through the volcanic region of Vogelsberg in Germany. Each stage is between 16 and 23 kilometres (9.9 mi and 14.2 mi) long with the exception of the fifth stage. This penultimate stage is 27 kilometres (16.7 mi) long and includes some elevation gain, so you should plan some extra time.

I’ve planned each stage to start and end at a bus stop so you can travel with public transport. The adventure sets off and finishes from the official starting point of the Vogelsberg Volcano Ring, Laubach’s marketplace. Unless indicated otherwise, you’ll find overnight accommodation at each stage destination, but I recommend booking in advance.

Now all you have to do is pack your backpack, lace up your hiking boots and off you go to the Vogelsberg! Your journey around Europe’s largest area of extinct volcanoes can begin.

On The Map

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Vogelsberg Volcano Ring

72.8 mi

7,525 ft

Last updated: May 2, 2023

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 1: Laubach to Eichelsdorf – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Expert
05:11
11.6 mi
2.2 mph
1,075 ft
1,225 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The starting point for the first stage is the market square of the tranquil residential town of Laubach. A hiking portal was set up here, which marks the starting point of the Vogelsberg volcano ring. Before you start your tour, you can take another look at the map of the hiking portal with all stages…
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Stage 2: Eichelsdorf to Burkhards – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Intermediate
04:55
11.0 mi
2.2 mph
1,300 ft
575 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the second stage of the volcano ring, you can expect many great views, an interesting educational trail and a mysterious hole on a mountain slope.

Today's tour starts at the “Bürgerhaus” bus stop in Eichelsdorf. At the beginning you have to overcome a few meters in altitude, as it goes up on a basal…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 3: Burkhards to Herchenhain – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Intermediate
04:47
10.3 mi
2.1 mph
1,625 ft
800 ft
Intermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
In addition to great views, a spring to linger and a mysterious geotope to discover await you on the third stage.

The 16.5-kilometer tour begins in the tranquil town of Burkhards at the Gederner Weg bus stop. From here it goes on in sections quite steep climbs to the Alteburg. This basaltic rock formation…
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Stage 4: Herchenhain to Herbstein – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Expert
05:05
11.3 mi
2.2 mph
675 ft
1,375 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
In addition to wonderful views of the Hessian Rhön low mountain range, some volcanic highlights await you on this 18-kilometer stage.

You start at the bus stop in Herchenhain and follow a pilgrimage route out of Herchenhain. Here it goes up, but on the way up you will be rewarded with great views of the…
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Stage 5: Herbstein to Ulrichstein – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Expert
07:37
16.8 mi
2.2 mph
2,025 ft
1,575 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
You should bring a lot of time with you on this 27-kilometer stage, because you want to discover some fascinating places with resting places.

You start your tour at the Lanzenhainer Straße bus stop in Herbstein and first go up a few meters in altitude. The volcanic ring leads you through a beech forest…
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Stage 6: Ulrichstein to Laubach – Vogelsberg Volcano Ring
Expert
06:18
14.2 mi
2.2 mph
875 ft
2,050 ft
Expert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The last stage of the volcano ring with a length of around 23 kilometers is on the program today. Alternating time leaps through regional history await you on this tour. Because in addition to views of the landscape shaped by volcanism, you will immerse yourself in the regional mining history of the…
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