Hiking on the path of the gods

A Sunday hike on the path of the gods near Coppenbrügge

Starting point: Parking lot and caravan site at the Coppenbrügge outdoor pool
Time: Sunday, 11:00 a.m.
Tour: Steep ascent – Friedas Ruh – Teufelsküche – Fahnenstein – Kammweg – Adam & Eva – descent via Felsenkeller

Departure from the outdoor pool

We start our hike at around 11 a.m. on a sunny Sunday. From the parking lot at the outdoor pool, the path of the gods immediately leads steeply uphill – into the beech forest, which seems more mysterious with every step. ¹

Friedas Ruh – a quiet rest stop

After a short time, we reach Friedas (Fridas) Ruh. It lies like a small resting place in the forest and invites you to take your first breather. The place bears the name of a woman who is interpreted in local tales as a nature-loving healer – a trace that is still kept alive today in the legend walks of the Coppenbrügge Castle Museum^{.2, 3}

Devil’s Kitchen – rock sanctuary with dark stories

A little later, a huge rock alcove appears: the Devil’s Kitchen. Tradition links it with the Pied Piper of Hamelin: Some say that some of the missing children were buried by sinkholes in the Ith^{.4, 5} Others see it as an ancient rock sanctuary where fires blazed and offerings were laid.⁶ Still others simply report that the devil himself cooked here – smoke and sulphur included.

The longer I look, the more I recognize faces in the boulders, perhaps those of the lost children from the Pied Piper saga?

The Fahnenstein – gateway to the world of the gods

The ascent continues to the Fahnenstein. According to old reports, there was a Germanic cult area here – a place where Wotan and Freya were worshipped.⁷ Customs such as Easter or solstice fires are also said to have been practiced here.⁷

Rest on the ridgeway

We stop for a snack on the ridge path. The view extends through the forest towards Himdorfer Feld. Directly below the path, the Falkenstein rises up out of the forest – a striking rocky outcrop that looks like a natural pulpit.

Adam and Eve – petrified lovers

Freshly fortified, we follow the ridge path. The forest is interspersed with various boulders – stones that make me think of ancient sacrificial rites.

Still deep in thought, the forest reveals a view of the imposing Adam and Eve rock formation on the descent. Two huge stone pillars stand close together: the slender rock is “Adam”, the stronger one is “Eve”.8 According to one legend, the two were petrified because they plucked the forbidden fruit again. Another tradition tells of betrothal vows: couples from nearby Bessingen who made their vows here were supposed to lead a happy life.⁸

Return via the rock cellar

The descent leads us through dense forest and finally out into an open landscape. We return to Coppenbrügge via the historic Felsenkeller, once a popular excursion destination.

Sources

• Weserbergland Tourismus – Path of the Gods
• Planet Outdoor – Highest heights of the Ith
• Saale-Ith-Echo: Magical wafts of mist and ancient legends
• Wikipedia: Coppenbrügge – Reference to the Pied Piper legend
• Podcast “ITH – Legends & Gods”, episode 48
• Podcast “ITH – Legends & Gods”, episode 44
• Community of Salzhemmendorf – Fahnenstein & Customs
• Indigo-Blau.de – Mystical Ith (Adam and Eve)

Transparency notice: Research and inspiration ChatGPT 5.0, Responsible Manfred Hohlweg