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A contribution by Merle Vorschulze for the project “What’s going on there?!” by students at h_da
Opposite Erzhausen train station, a large tree casts its shadow onto the sidewalk. A bird, its chirping, hides among the branches. A spring breeze whistles through the treetops of the adjacent forest, and the sun continues its westward journey. An idyllic atmosphere at the starting point of the "Eiscafé da Serafino Loop of Erzhausen"—at least, that's what the hiking trail is called on komoot.com . The tranquility is broken by the start of an engine. In front of the station library, a bus driver is preparing for his route. The main road adjacent to the station is busy this Tuesday afternoon, and it seems as if many residents of the 8,000-strong village have arranged to meet for a walk.
Humans have always been on the move. However, hiking as a leisure activity has only existed for about 150 years. This sport became popular among school and university students as part of an emancipation movement. At that time, young people aspired to independence from their parents and pursued rather romantic ideals.
Sleeping outdoors was also common.
Today, hiking has taken on many different forms, and you don't necessarily have to be out for several days or weeks to participate in the sport. Day hikes are a very popular option. These usually involve circular routes.
Around Darmstadt there are several circular routes and hiking trails of varying difficulty and length.
This route is perfect for novice hikers, as it involves no significant elevation gain and leads through two villages and open terrain. If you're looking for a greater challenge, it's best to search for routes with more ups and downs that traverse even more rural areas. In the 1970s, another type of hiking trail was introduced in Germany: the "Trimm-dich-Pfade" (fitness trails). These are routes where you'll find fitness equipment and instructional panels along the way. One of these trails is located on the outskirts of Dieburg, and another is in Darmstadt's Bürgerpark.
Erzhausen lies on the railway line exactly between Frankfurt and Darmstadt and is easily accessible by the S6 train. So, if you need a break, you can quickly get there from Darmstadt's main station. However, I'd barely gotten off the train when my orientation problems started. Full of confidence, I initially headed in the opposite direction of the route. After a second glance at the map, I realized my mistake just in time. I continued east along the railway tracks, crossing the main road, which my four-legged companion and I tried to navigate safely.
The path continues into a new housing development, and my gaze falls upon one of the garage roofs. A machine appears to be mounted on it, its function unclear to me. It might even be purely decorative. Up to this point, the route is clearly signposted, so I leave the map in my pocket for now. A decision that will later lead to confusion.
The canopy of the wooded area offers temporary protection from the harsh evening sun. The bushes, bathed in sunlight, glow a rich green. The footsteps of other walkers crunch on the forest floor. In the distance, a train occasionally rumbles past. The route is approximately seven and a half kilometers long and, at a leisurely pace with a break, takes a maximum of two hours. From the forest, the path leads directly back onto an asphalt road heading east towards the neighboring Darmstadt district of Wixhausen. Along the way, it passes a riding stable with a chicken coop.
There aren't many places to sit along the way, and shady spots to rest are scarce. The heat can be unbearable on such a path, even if it's level. The map has become somewhat obscured, and the signposts are nowhere to be found. Nevertheless, the correct path is easy to find again once you enter the neighboring town. Signs also reappear at the S-Bahn station in Wixhausen.
Hiking has a multitude of positive effects. It can particularly strengthen endurance and the cardiovascular system, thus helping to prevent illness. The more challenging the trail, the greater the effect on cardiovascular health. This also makes it easier to transition to other types of exercise. A 2021 study found that endurance training increases the number of certain peptides. These are important molecules in the body related to metabolism. Furthermore, being close to nature and the physical activity reduce stress and improve overall well-being.
Caution: Some hiking trails are longer than expected, and without sufficient water, dehydration can quickly set in. Online portals also recommend a certain level of fitness for some routes. A moderate route is perfectly adequate to start with.
As soon as I turn back, I hear loud laughter coming from an attic window. A middle-aged man is sitting there with a bottle of beer in his hand, chatting enthusiastically. Not ten meters further on, an unofficial Bobby Car rally is taking place. The little star driver seems to be the favorite in this competition.
The route doesn't offer a safe way to let dogs run off-leash. Nevertheless, it provides more interesting experiences than any gym. The walk isn't particularly strenuous and also offers a sense of accomplishment. The fresh air is really good for you, so it's definitely worth checking out what routes are available in your area.
All photo and sound recordings: Merle Vorschulze
This article was made as part of the project "What's going on" - a teaching editorial team of students from the online journalism course at the Darmstadt University of Applied Sciences (H_DA). Da.news supports the project and publishes selected articles on its platform. Further information and texts are available here and on: www.was-da-los.de
