Kammerforst

The village was first mentioned in 860 when it was known as Cemoforte and belonged to the Monastery of Fulda. In 1360 the ruling family of Seebach purchased the Kammerforst estate, which was divided into an upper and a lower manor. This village is on the eastern edge of the Hainich area and at the northern border of the national park. It is characterised by its half timbered buildings, village pond and church. The national park information centre and exhibition housed in the historic upper manor house mean that it is an excellent base for a host of leisure activities. From Kammerforst, there are hiking routes into the Hainich area. The village is much used as an overnight stop for Rennsteig hikes.

This friendly village with 1000 inhabitants has traditional Whitsun, Field Consecration and May celebrations on its annual programme. Together with brass band music and forest events, it is known for its annual folk music festival that brings together the big names in the German pop music and folk music scene each year, such as Andy Borg, Heino, the Hoffmann siblings, Stefanie Hertel and Stefan Mros.