Naturpark Kellerwald-Edersee Festival – 25 Years

25 Years of Naturpark Kellerwald-Edersee

The Naturpark Kellerwald-Edersee was founded in 2001 and celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2026. It covers around 406 km² between the Edersee lake, Bad Wildungen, and Korbach – one of Hesse's most original low mountain range landscapes, characterized by steep beech forests, stream valleys, and the Eder river. The core is the Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee, whose ancient beech forests have been a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site since 2011 ("Ancient Beech Forests of Europe").

Anniversary Festival in Armsfeld

The venue for the 2026 anniversary festival is the pond area in Bad Wildungen-Armsfeld – a small district of the spa town located in the middle of the Naturpark, featuring an idyllic pond area along Hüttenroder Straße. The festival is designed as a family festival and is aimed at local residents, hiking tourists, and school classes from the region.

Interactive Stands and Regional Market

The program consists of two elements: interactive stands by the Naturpark and its partner organizations (National Park, forestry offices, protected areas, environmental education initiatives, local clubs) with activities for all age groups – from identifying tree species and tracking animal tracks to recognizing bird songs. In addition, there is a small market with regional specialties from the Kellerwald: honey, game products, cheese, Hessian bread, schnapps.

Support for Local Structures

The organization of the anniversary festival is supported by the local council of Armsfeld, several clubs, and the Volunteer Fire Department of Armsfeld – a classic example of the close integration of the Naturpark with the village communities living within the park.

UNESCO World Natural Heritage as Context

The Naturpark Festival is held in the context of the UNESCO World Natural Heritage site "Ancient Beech Forests of Europe," which also includes the Nationalpark Kellerwald-Edersee. The ancient beech forests around the Edersee lake are one of the few remaining primeval forest reserves in Central Europe and are protected as an ecological heritage of humanity.