Willingen/Gersfeld (dpa/lhe) - The autumn weather, which has been good so far, has given outdoor fans in Hesse an extended season. "The season usually ends on the first weekend in November," said a spokeswoman for the "MTB Zone Bikepark Willingen". Due to the currently good demand, the bike park in the Waldeck-Frankenberg district has decided to extend the season. With the exception of November 9, it is said to be open daily from 9 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. until November 13.
"After that, depending on the weather, the operators decide whether to open on the weekends," explained the spokeswoman. As soon as the park is closed, the chairlift at Köhlerhagen will be converted to winter operation. The "K1" chairlift has changeable seats, and mountain bikes can be attached to the summer chairs. "The winter season starts as soon as there is enough snow. This must either be enough natural snow or it must be cold enough to be able to produce snow for a few nights or days." Then the bike park turns back into Hesse's largest ski area.
Even on Hesse's highest mountain, the 950-meter-high Wasserkuppe in the Rhön, outdoor fans are still getting their money's worth before the ski season begins. Among other things, the all-weather toboggan run and the climbing park are still open there. "When the weather is nice, we're always open," said Florian Heitmann, manager of the Wasserkuppe ski and toboggan arena (Fulda district), even though preparations for the winter season will start next week. The climbing park, for example, will remain open until the first frost.
According to the Tourist Information Schotten, the summer toboggan run on the Hoherodskopf adventure mountain in the Vogelsberg district will be taking its winter break after this weekend. The treetop path - according to the operator Europe's only treetop path with suspension bridges - should probably remain open when the weather is nice. Visitors should call ahead, it said.
