Guided tours of the park for adults

During the tour of the English landscape garden, visitors are not only introduced to interesting native and exotic plants and herbs, but also given an explanation of the park’s layout and design. Stories about plant breeding, botanical expeditions and the collecting passion of the princes of the 18th and 19th centuries round off the walk, which also includes a visit to Germany’s oldest sequoia.

During the tour, you will be shown the historic complex of buildings and the fountain at the centre of the park. On this easy-to-follow route, which is also suitable for older people, you will learn about the history of the Fürstenlager, which was once used as a summer residence by the Darmstadt nobility. Immerse yourself in the history of this former summer residence dating from the late 18th century.
The tour itself is flat, but the avenue of lime trees leading to the landscape park has a moderate yet steady incline; please therefore allow for a 15-minute walk from the “Fürstenlager” car park.

The tour begins in the so-called ‘Dörfchen’, the historic 18th-century complex of buildings situated in the heart of the state park. From there, you will walk past various park features across the Herrenwiese up to the so-called ‘Bastion’, where sweeping views of the Odenwald and the Rhine Valley unfold before you. Immerse yourself in the history of the Fürstenlager, which was once used as a summer residence by the Darmstadt nobility and is an example of a so-called ‘ornamental farm’.

On this walk, you will explore not only the historic complex of buildings in the valley but also the park features to the north, such as the former rose garden, the grotto and the monument to Luisa in the woods. This route offers views over the vineyards and the Rhine valley that were once enjoyed by the noble families of Darmstadt. Follow in their footsteps and let yourself be captivated by the rural idyll of Fürstenlager.

The walk begins in the so-called ‘little village’, the historic 18th-century complex of buildings situated in the heart of the state park. Winding paths lead you up to the tea house on Altarberg, where a sweeping view of the vineyards and the Rhine valley unfolds. The route then takes you back down into the valley, past further features of the historic landscape garden. Immerse yourself in the history of Fürstenlager, which was once used as a summer residence by the Darmstadt nobility and is an example of a so-called ‘ornamental farm’.

The candlelit tour of Fürstenlager State Park offers a unique opportunity to experience the peace and grandeur of the park in the evening hours. Explore the attractions and viewpoints of the historic landscape garden by lantern light. Along the way, you will be entertained with anecdotes about the history of Fürstenlager and poems from the period when it was first created. Immerse yourself in history and let the evening atmosphere captivate you.

Depending on the weather and the availability of herbs, we’ll wander through the Fürstenlager to gather a wide variety of herbs. On our herb walk, you’ll discover the natural treasures the Fürstenlager has to offer – not least tasty and medicinal wild herbs. Find out which ones are edible and how to identify them.