A stone's throw from Frankfurt ...
There's one thing that makes the Taunus extra special: How easy it is to get there. Take a direct train from Frankfurt and you'll be surrounded by nature in just 30 minutes.
With two nature parks and an extensive network of trails, there are countless ways to explore the low mountain range. Choose from the region's multitude of well-maintained HIKING and CYCLING routes, heading to the region around the Taunus's highest mountain, the Großer Feldberg, for the most demanding trails and spectacular vantage points. Follow the stretch of the long-distance Limes Hiking Trail (Limeswanderweg) that passes through the region and you'll be treated to some of the Roman watchtowers and forts - including the extraordinary reconstructed fort at Saalburg - that form part of the former external frontier of the Roman Empire, the Upper German-Rhaetian Limes, now an UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Other popular outdoors activities in the region include climbing, horseriding and swimming, and if you've a thirst for adventure, there's gliding and hot air ballooning, too. The Taunus's temperate climate and excellent air quality provide the perfect conditions for its numerous wellness offerings, which include Germany's largest climatic HEALTH RESORT, the Heilklima-Park Hochtaunus.
The Taunus has plenty of HISTORIC SITES to keep visitors busy, from its Roman and Celtic ruins to an impressive collection of palaces and castles. Head to Königstein for one of Germany's largest castle ruins (Burg Königstein) or enjoy spectacular views of the Frankfurt skyline from the tower at Kronberg Castle (Berg Kronberg). Rather modern architecture can be found Bad Nauheim, home to the Sprudelhof, one of Europe's largest collections of art nouveau buildings.
If all this activity has made you hungry, there are cider taverns and rustic restaurants aplenty here offering hearty HOMEMADE REGIONAL FOOD. The Taunus's farmshops and cafés, many of them open year round, make for wonderful stopping-off points whether you're travelling by foot, bicycle or car.
