Pummpälz

Who is Pummpälz - Pummpälz is one of many supposed goblins inhabiting Thuringia’s forests. Legend has it that this creature waits for passers-by and latches onto their necks, where it begins to slap the hapless bearer’s face. In particular, similar to the “Steinbacher Bieresel” (Steinbach beer donkey) Pummpälz shows men who stay in the pub too long the way home. The next morning they can at least tell their children that their red cheeks are not from the previous night’s alcohol but from Pummpälz’s slaps.

What is the Pummpälz Trail - The Pummpälz Trail is a significant and wonderful Thuringian cycling and hiking attraction. The route is about 28 km long and connects the Wartburg castle and the Frankenstein castle, as well as the cities Eisenach and Bad Salzungen. The students of the woodworking school in Empfertshausen designed wooden sculptures depicting various fictional characters, which are situated at 22 places along the path. The original idea came from the well-known fairy tale and lore collector Ludwig Bechstein and his friend Christian Ludwig Wucke. The stories are still available in their original High German version as well as in English and in the local German dialects. Students from the trade school in Bad Salzungen maintain the footpath.

What is particularly interesting about the trail - The trail was inaugurated in June 2002 by then-Thuringian Minister President Dr Bernhard Vogel.
Since that time thousands of visitors – many of them families, hikers, Nordic walkers and cyclists – have enjoyed this trail, which offers some of the best mountain views of the west Thuringian Forest.
Three major events occur each year in June, August and October that attract thousands of participants and spectators: a half-marathon race, the so-called Tritrekk (a competition consisting of Nordic walking, canoeing and biking) and Pummpälz Day.

Pummpälz Day (31st of October) –medieval life with music, food, customs and knights
Every year you have the possibility to walk, wander or cycle to the celebration.
The starting point Nordic Walking is the “Kurhaus am Burgsee”, you should arrive in Möhra at the Pummpälzfest at 12 o’clock latest.
Enjoy the medieval life and the customs.