Close to Frankfurt, just 30 kilometers northwest of the Main metropolis, is an oasis of green: the Taunus Nature Park. In the 134,775-hectare area, it is easy to get lost. But not when you’re out and about with ranger Susamme Weidert-Horn.
It is said that nobody knows the nature park Taunus today better, than Rangerin Susanne Weidert-Horn. With a great deal of knowledge, she guides visitors through the area and shows them the local flora and fauna. Of course, Susanne Weidert-Horn also knows where her guests have the best chance of seeing animals from a short distance.
For example, the popular but extremely shy wild cats. Mother Nature actually has surprises in store on every tour. Sometimes a horde of wild boars suddenly appears out of nowhere, then a shy deer. It is also possible that a slow worm crosses the path. In any case, the “Oha” effect is always great. But even with supposedly uninteresting encounters, the tour participants are not badly surprised. For example, when a dung beetle appears. Because it, too, has an important function in the forest eco-system.
On the road in the service of nature
One of the most frequently asked questions during the tours is how and why Susanne Weidert-Horn actually became a ranger.
After working in an international bank and becoming a mother, I wanted to return to my passion – nature. I wanted to be out and about in the service of nature. When the Taunus Nature Park offered training to become a certified nature and landscape guide, I jumped at the chance.
Are your areas of interest not quite so focused on nature? Then the adventure or themed tours are certainly interesting. The offer is broadly diversified. How about tours that follow in the footsteps of “Romans and Celts” or “History and Culture”? Too historical? It is also possible to search specifically for “medicinal herbs”.
Around the Großer Feldberg
A total of 220 hiking trails with a total length of 1,350 kilometers are available to visitors. Those traveling from further away can also combine the nature experience with one of the tourist attractions in the Taunus. Visitors interested in culture can explore the historical highlights from almost all eras, such as the World Heritage Site of the Saalburg Roman Fort, Bad Homburg Castle or the Hessenpark Open-Air Museum.
Some may ask: Is a visit also worthwhile in winter? Or is the Taunus Nature Park primarily something for fair-weather hikers who want to enjoy mild temperatures? Of course, there’s not as much going on in the park in winter as in summer. But Susanne Weidert-Horn welcomes many guests even in the cold season. Because the solitude of the winter landscape also has its charm.
And those who want more action focus on the many opportunities for winter sports enthusiasts that the low mountain range has in store. Especially around the 881 meter high Großer Feldberg. There you can go tobogganing and skiing, especially on the slopes “Siegfriedschuss” and “Nordbahn”.
