Nature fans must not miss a visit to Kellerwald-Edersee National Park, a natural UNESCO World Heritage Site. Take the Urwaldsteig trail to hike the rough terrain and enjoy superb views of Edersee lake. If exercise and exhilaration are your thing, try out the Kletterwald climbing adventure park or take a tree top walk. In addition to Schloss Waldeck castle or the Wildtierpark zoo in Hemfurth, there is an unusual sight when the water level is low: the sunken villages of Edersee Atlantis.

Fossil treasures can be found in the fissure at Korbacher Spalte - so far the second-oldest fossiliferous fissure in the world. After a stroll through the old town with its half-timbered houses, another worthwhile excursion is a trip to Eisenberg mountain with the largest gold deposits in Germany.

Whether winter or summer - if you have a need for speed and action, this place is for you: a thrilling downhill ride on the Downhill trail, outdoor tower climbing on the Hochheideturm tower or skiing in the largest ski resort of the region. And even on those days where the town is not hosting a World Cup - a visit to the Mühlenkopfschanze ski jumping hill followed by a snack at the Café Aufwind always makes for a fun outing.

Sailing, barbecuing, getting married - you can do all that ON Diemelsee lake. Diemelsee lake in the town of the same name is about 20 km from Bad Arolsen. A special highlight are the Diemel donuts which are available for hire on the lake for special events or for a relaxed afternoon with a barbecue. And you can even get married on the water - on the MS Muffert, a cruise boat that is available as venue for civil wedding ceremonies.. Those looking for a quieter experience away from the hustle and bustle at the lake shore can lace up their hiking boots and get on the Diemelsteig hiking trail. One of the insider tips is the St. Muffert peak which affords the most beautiful view over the lake.

Diemelsee Nature Park offers a lot of attractions - there are four former mines that are now open to tourists and that tell the story of the ore, gold and slate extraction in this region: Besucherbergwerk Kilianstollen in Marsberg, Grube Christiane in Diemelsee-Adorf, Schiefergrube Christine in Willingen and the gold mine in Goldhausen.

Pour yourself a glass of fresh mineral water right from the spring, play a round of minigolf and cool down in the water treading pool - these are things you can do in the neighbouring town of Volkmarsen. The tourism association Kur- und Verkehrsverein Volkmarsen e.V. operates a leisure centre near the Sauerbrunnen mineral springs. Nearby Kugelsburg castle is also worth a visit. From here, you can enjoy expansive views over Volkmarsen and beyond.

A wonderful day trip to nearby Kassel: Marvel at the Hercules statue and its artful water features, an UNESCO World Heritage Site. On certain days of the year, a very special performance is on display here - the spectacular water and lights show. In addition to Kassel's iconic Hercules statue, located at an elevation of 530 metres on the peak of the Karlsberg mountain, Europe largest 'Bergpark', or mountain park and garden, has a lot more to offer.

Learn more about the Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe World Heritage Site

Go for a hike to the largest castle compound in northern Hesse, Weidelsburg castle near Ippinghausen in the Landkreis of Kassel, and enjoy one of the most spectacular views in the region.

The open-air theatres in Korbach, located in the centre of the old town, and in Twiste, surrounded by fields and forests, offer their audiences some very special performances during the summer months.

• Freilichtbühne Twiste
  
• Freilichtbühne Korbach