In-depth guide · CampingSpirit
From Bad Wildungen past the Edertalsperre dam and the primeval forest on the southern shore to Waldeck, Korbach and Willingen, then down the Eder to Frankenberg and back through the Burgwald to the Kellerwald: about 270 kilometres of northern Hesse with short stages and plenty of water beneath the leaves.
The spirit of the route
Northern Hesse is quiet travelling. In the morning, mist hangs over the Edersee between beech-covered slopes that run right down to the water, and when the level drops in late summer, the foundations of drowned villages emerge along the shore. To the south lies Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, where old red beeches grow without forestry and are left to lie where they fall – part of the UNESCO World Heritage site “Ancient Beech Forests”. From your sliding door you will see half-timbered gables, meadows with red kites overhead and the silhouette of Waldeck Castle above the lake. Further west the land climbs into the Upland, Hanseatic towns such as Korbach and Medebach tell of trade along old military roads, and the Burgwald closes the loop with shade, monastery calm and spa towns. Nobody is in a hurry here: short stages, hiking boots within reach, and an evening pitch with a view of water or forest.
Stage-by-stage plan
1Stage 1: Bad Wildungen to Edertal-Hemfurth (Edersee dam) (approx. 12 km)
- The drive
- From Bad Wildungen on country roads through the Wildunger Land down to the Edersee and the dam at Hemfurth. Well-built roads, with a short climb through beech forest at the end. Driving time is about 20 minutes. Note: near the dam the Ederseerandstraße may be closed for roadworks; coming from Bad Wildungen, the dam may then only be reachable by a detour via Waldeck. Check the current situation and diversion with Hessen Mobil beforehand.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Bad Wildungen: spa gardens and a spa town with medicinal springs; the town church holds the Wildunger Altar by Conrad von Soest from the early 15th century.
- Edertalsperre: the dam wall was completed in 1914, is about 48 m high and holds back almost 200 million cubic metres of water. The view of the wall is worth it even under a grey sky; in May 1943 it was breached by a British air raid and repaired the same year.
- Wildtierpark Edersee near Hemfurth: family-friendly, with paths through the forest above the lake.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilstellplatz Hemfurth/Edersee on the edge of the village, about 25 pitches with electricity and water; check disposal facilities and the fee system beforehand. There are also several campsites on the lake – on the southern shore, for example, Campingplatz Bringhäuser Bucht, and on the northern shore near Waldeck Camping Zur Fähre and Camping Seemannsheim; enquire early in high season and at weekends.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Hesse does not allow wild camping; on the Edersee the shore zones partly belong to nature reserves or the national park. A single night in a public car park without a prohibition sign is tolerated under road traffic law to restore fitness to drive – without awning, chairs or barbecue. Around the dam the car parks are very busy by day and not meant for overnight stays.
- Insider tip for campers
- Fill up on fuel and water in Bad Wildungen before you drive to the lake: right at the Edersee, prices are higher and shops fewer. Check beforehand whether and how the crest of the dam can be driven; in a motorhome you are better off staying in the car parks and walking the wall. An early stroll before the coaches arrive is worth it.
2Stage 2: Edertal-Hemfurth to Waldeck am Edersee (via southern shore and national park) (approx. 55 km)
- The drive
- The lakeside roads run along the southern shore through beech forest via Bringhausen to the western end of the lake and back along the northern shore to Waldeck. Mostly two lanes, but with short climbs, bends and weekend traffic. About 1.5 hours of driving time; plan for a hiking day.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Urwaldsteig Edersee: the roughly 66-kilometre circular trail around the lake starts in Waldeck and leads through parts of Kellerwald-Edersee National Park in the south – for one day a partial stage is enough, with a return by bus or boat.
- Kellerwald-Edersee National Park: since 2004, with about 5,700 hectares of beech forest where nature is allowed to be nature. Observe the rules of the national park ordinance (for example on paths and dogs); the trails are signposted.
- Ederseeschifffahrt: passenger boats call at several landing stages; from the water you see Waldeck Castle, the steep banks and the beech slopes from a different perspective.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilpark Edersee-Alm near Waldeck, a large site with about 90 pitches, electricity, water and disposal, on a slope with a lake view. On the northern shore there are also Camping Seemannsheim, Camping Pferdekoppel and Camping Zur Fähre (check location and season beforehand). For tents and vans there is also Campingplatz Rehbach.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In the national park and on the lake shores, camping outside the sites is prohibited; fires and tents are forbidden, and rangers carry out checks. The hiking car parks on the southern shore are for parking, not for overnight stays.
- Insider tip for campers
- Slopes at the lake make levelling ramps a must; allow time for levelling before dusk falls. At low water in late summer, strips of shore and old village foundation walls emerge – that is not a defect, but part of the reservoir’s history. Bikes on the Edersee cycle path are ideal for the short lake sections.
3Stage 3: Waldeck to Korbach (approx. 30 km)
- The drive
- From Waldeck west on country roads through the Waldecker Land, meadows and beech forest alternating, finally down into the Korbach basin. Well-built roads; 30 km/h limits and narrow village roads in the villages. About 45 minutes of driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Waldeck Castle above the lake: castle hill with a view of the Edersee, reachable on foot from the village; the old town has half-timbered houses and narrow lanes.
- Korbach as an old Hanseatic town: medieval town layout, half-timbered houses and the Gothic Kilianskirche as the landmark of the old town.
- Twistesee near Wetterburg (Bad Arolsen), just under 20 km north-east of Korbach: bathing beach, reservoir and a large motorhome harbour – possible as a detour with a night of its own.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Korbach there is the Wohnmobilhafen Korbach with about 18 pitches, electricity, water and disposal; the Wohnmobilstellplatz Hobbywiese lies outside the town, check location and facilities beforehand. At the Twistesee is the Reisemobilhafen Twistesee with service facilities; reserve in season.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): In Korbach and the Waldecker Land, as everywhere in Hesse: no free camping outside designated sites; car parks on the edge of town can be used by motorhomes by day, but overnight stays are only on the Stellplätze.
- Insider tip for campers
- Korbach’s old town is not made for motorhomes – park at the Stellplatz and walk; the distance is short. Shopping and refuelling are easy in Korbach; after that, the choice shrinks towards Willingen.
4Stage 4: Korbach to Willingen (Upland) (approx. 30 km)
- The drive
- From Korbach on the B251 west into the Upland, past woodland and pasture, finally winding uphill to Willingen. Well-built, with climbs and lorry traffic. About 35 minutes of driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Ettelsberg and the upland heaths around Willingen: the view from the Ettelsberg reaches far across the Upland. The CampingSpirit travel guide through Sauerland and Rothaargebirge describes Willingen in detail.
- Heather in late summer: the heathland on the slope turns purple, and the hiking trails are marked and easy to reach.
- A quiet walk through the village centre away from the tourist strip, before the coaches arrive.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilpark Willingen on the edge of the village, a larger site with about 55 pitches, electricity, water and disposal and a short way to the centre. Book early in high season and during major events.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Willingen is a dense holiday resort with clear parking rules. Overnight stays are only intended on the Stellplatz or a campsite, not in the car parks at the lifts and the ski jump.
- Insider tip for campers
- Willingen is one of the places with short-notice major events; check dates before you travel. Fill the tank before Willingen – in the Upland there are only a few petrol stations away from the main road.
5Stage 5: Willingen to Frankenberg (Eder) (approx. 65 km)
- The drive
- From Willingen across the state border to Medebach in North Rhine-Westphalia, then in long sweeps over the plateau and Hatzfeld into the Edertal and on to Frankenberg. Varied low-mountain road with climbs and forest sections; many places on the way are narrow. A good two hours of driving time including stops.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Hanseatic town of Medebach: medieval town centre with remains of the town wall and half-timbered houses; a walk is worthwhile for the church and the market square.
- The Eder near Hatzfeld: here the young Eder flows through wide meadows, and the Eder cycle path runs along the bank.
- Frankenberg (Eder): half-timbered old town with a town hall and many small towers; the Liebfrauenkirche is regarded as an important Gothic building.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: In Frankenberg there is the Wohnmobilstellplatz Kleine Wehrweide with about 12 pitches and electricity, and the Stellplatz at the Ederberglandhalle with a few pitches, electricity, water and disposal. As a stopover, the Wohnmobilstellplatz am Schützenplatz in Medebach with a few pitches is an option; check facilities and availability beforehand.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Frankenberg and the Eder-Bergland do not tolerate camping outside designated sites. Stellplätze near event halls are often taken by events during the day – reservation or enquiry recommended.
- Insider tip for campers
- The stage is long enough to split: if you pause in Medebach or Hatzfeld, you save yourself some stress. Frankenberg has supermarkets and petrol stations – this is the place for the last big shop before the Burgwald.
6Stage 6: Frankenberg to Bad Zwesten (via Burgwald and Haina) (approx. 60 km)
- The drive
- From Frankenberg south-east through the Burgwald to Rosenthal, then east to Haina (monastery) and along country roads on the southern edge of the Kellerwald (Jesberg) to Bad Zwesten. Quiet roads, little traffic, some forest sections with wildlife crossings. A good two hours of driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Burgwald: a large continuous forest area with pines and beeches, marked circular trails and plenty of peace away from the lakes.
- Kloster Haina: a former Cistercian monastery with a Gothic church, farm buildings and a quiet complex at the edge of the forest.
- Bad Zwesten: spa town with spa gardens and springs, a relaxed finish after the forest paths.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Waldcamping Bad Zwesten on the edge of the village with electricity and water, and the Wohnmobilhafen Bad Zwesten with about 8 pitches. Both are small – call beforehand or check online.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): As a forest area, the Burgwald is not meant for wild campers: driving and parking on forest tracks is prohibited under the Hessian Forest Act, and open fires in the forest are forbidden. Hiking car parks, too, are for parking only.
- Insider tip for campers
- Wildlife crossings in the Burgwald are real – drive carefully, especially at dusk. In Rosenthal and Haina there are small shops; do bigger shopping in Frankenberg.
7Stage 7: Bad Zwesten to Bad Wildungen (approx. 20 km)
- The drive
- From Bad Zwesten north-west through the Kellerwald foothills back to Bad Wildungen. A short, well-built stage with gentle climbs; in the urban area of Bad Wildungen a 30 km/h limit and a spa zone. About 30 minutes of driving time.
- Highlights & must-sees
- Hutewald Halloh near Albertshausen (Bad Wildungen): an old wood pasture with gnarled beeches, some almost 300 years old, a detour on the edge of the Kellerwald.
- Kurpark Bad Wildungen: medicinal springs, a colonnade and gardens invite a relaxed stroll.
- Old town with half-timbered houses and the town church, home to the Wildunger Altar by Conrad von Soest.
- CampingSpirit overnight tip
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Official campsite or RV park: Wohnmobilstellplatz Bad Wildungen with electricity, water and disposal; check location, fees and number of pitches beforehand. Alternatively a campsite in the Edertal east of the town, such as Campingplatz Ederblick.
Free camping or nature tip (where legal): Around Bad Wildungen, too, free camping is not permitted. The spa grounds and the car parks at the Kurpark are for visitors by day, not meant for overnight stays.
- Insider tip for campers
- Bad Wildungen has spa zones and a pedestrian zone – leave the camper at the Stellplatz. Empty your tanks here before the journey home, before you take the motorway.
Camping practice & local rules
Wild camping & overnight parking
- Hesse does not allow wild camping. Tolerated under road traffic law is a single night in a public car park without a prohibition sign to restore fitness to drive – in the vehicle only, without awning, table, chairs, levelling jacks or barbecue.
- Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, nature reserves and shore zones are especially protected: camping, fires, drone flights and leaving the paths are generally forbidden there; details are set out in the national park ordinance. The Hessian Forest Act also prohibits driving and parking on forest tracks.
- Towns on the Edersee and in the Waldecker Land direct motorhomes to Stellplätze and campsites. Breaches of camping and parking bans can be punished with a fine; checks take place mainly at weekends and in season.
- park4night, Campercontact and the promobil Stellplatz guide are helpful; for Bad Wildungen, Korbach and Frankenberg it is worth looking at the tourist information websites.
Waste disposal & supplies
- Water supply and waste disposal are available at most Stellplätze; payment is by coins, card or app. Some sites are billed through event or hall operators.
- Empty grey water and the cassette only at designated stations – the Edersee shore and its tributaries are sensitive. Use biodegradable sanitary additives.
- Tap water in Germany is drinking water; swimming in natural waters is allowed at the Edersee, but not supervised everywhere.
- Gas: grey exchange cylinders (5 and 11 kg) are available at petrol stations and DIY stores; LPG stations are more likely in larger towns such as Bad Wildungen, Korbach and Frankenberg than in the lake villages. Carry an EU adapter for gas tanks.
Vehicle size & traffic rules
- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h outside, recommended speed 130 km/h on the motorway. Over 3.5 t up to 7.5 t 80 km/h outside built-up areas, 100 km/h on the motorway. Combinations 80 km/h, with a 100 km/h approval 100 km/h on the motorway.
- Tolls: for cars and motorhomes up to 7.5 t there is no road toll or vignette in Germany. Low-emission zones are not directly on the route; if you arrive via Kassel or other cities, check beforehand.
- Dimensions: maximum 4.00 m height and 2.55 m width; on minor roads by the lake, in half-timbered villages and at the dam, weight and width restrictions are possible.
- Winter driving: situational winter tyre requirement in slippery conditions, snow and ice (tyres with the Alpine symbol); in the Upland and at the Edersee it can turn icy early.
- Drink-driving: 0.5 per mille, 0.0 for novice drivers and under-21s. Using a mobile phone while driving is prohibited.
CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist
- Levelling ramps and spirit level: Stellplätze at the Edersee and in the Upland are often on slopes.
- Well worn-in hiking boots and tick protection: the Urwaldsteig, Kellerwald and Burgwald are partly damp and full of ticks.
- Binoculars for red kite, black stork and waterbirds on the Edersee.
- Bikes or e-bikes with a carrier for the lake circuits and the Eder cycle path.
- Coins and a bank card for Stellplatz machines, plus a water hose with matching couplings.
As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go.
