Landgasthof Alter Bahnhof | Heyerode

A petting zoo in an enchanted forest

Hard to believe that the Landgasthof's romantic complex of buildings is actually a former railway station. It's true, though: Where you once bought your ticket, beer is now poured. Where trains once arrived, there's now a lush winter garden to sit in.

Since it fell into disuse in 1968, families with children, hiking groups and nature lovers have been able to holiday at the "Landgasthof Alter Bahnhof", right in the middle of the UNESCO World Heritage region Wartburg Hainich. The rooms, holiday apartments and chalets are furnished in a cosy country cottage style with pine furniture and warm colours. Accessibility is particularly important to the Landgasthof, as it belongs to the charity Diakonie Doppelpunkt e.V.: Many of the staff who lovingly get the rooms ready for the guests with great care or prepare a tasty breakfast for them are disabled. However, children are also at the top of the list of priorities – and can look forward to an adventure playground and a petting zoo with native and exotic animals. A huge cockerel struts his stuff whilst the Cameroon sheep "Oscar" performs a baaing duet with a Thuringian goat. They share the zoo with Göttingen minipigs, horses and dwarf zebus.

Landgasthof Alter Bahnhof, Streichelzoo

The petting zoo with native and exotic animals is particularly popular with children. ©Carolo Bansini, Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

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EXPERIENCE TIP

The high ropes course in the Hainich National Park is 540m long and is one of Germany's most beautiful tree tops trails. There are information boards and friendly rangers who can answer (almost) any questions you may have. Other attractions are a root cave and a forest playground.

more about the high ropes course in the Hainich National Park

Headerfoto: ©Christian Habel, Diakonie Doppelpunkt e.V.

Foto Infobox: ©Florian Trykowski, Thüringer Tourismus GmbH