The best dog-friendly hikes and walks in Glasebach

From a distance, you wonder what is hidden there in the dark forest. It is really a beautiful place for the sculpture of the forest spirit

very beautiful view into the valley of the Pfieffe near Spangenberg

Thorsten von Mackensen, Kaufungen »Water–Man – from the Brühbach« Water is essential for life. A spring offers the opportunity to settle. “Water is life. Water is precious. Water is change. Water connects. Water dissolves.” The Water-Man guards the spring of the former village “Braubach”, whose inhabitants already migrated to the nearby town of Spangenberg in the Middle Ages, leaving this place as a ruin. The old village name “Braubach” changed over time to the field name “Brühbach”. Source: http://www.ars-natura-stiftung.de/index.php/de/kunstwerk/47?c=34&ts=3

Artwork "Change of Perspective" by Tanja Röder, Pfaffenhofen: A psychological term. "The Self and the Other: Changing Perspectives In the context of intercultural competence, the ability to change perspectives is understood as the ability to take on other perspectives, which vary due to cultural influences, in addition to one's own. This affects both the assessment of situations and events as well as one's fundamental worldview. […] Ideally, a conscious change of perspective prevents intercultural misunderstandings and contributes to conflict resolution" (Inter-Culture and Didactics, ikud). Specifically regarding a handstand, for example, in a meadow: The best position for holding a handstand for a long time is to look down at the ground with your head between your legs. Our gaze thus immediately captures a small section of the landscape that we rarely pay attention to. We recognize numerous living beings that we don't normally perceive, a very lively yet fragile microcosm. Or imagine ourselves as underwater creatures—encountering countless species of fish, plants, invertebrates, and other marine life, seeing fantastic coral reefs, undulating forests of algae and seaweed—and above us, a vast island of garbage obscuring the light. Would we then revise our consumer world? (Source: Ars Natura Foundation)

Artwork "Cycle" by Reinhold Gabriel, Malsfeld: "The waterwheel has a diameter of approximately 1.60 m. It was mounted on a preformed concrete foundation, between which the small stream flows, driving the waterwheel. The wheel causes a hollow body filled with balls to swing twice with each revolution, creating a sound reminiscent of the ocean surf. The hollow body has an elliptical shape and is made of stainless steel. The title refers both to the circular motion of the waterwheel and to the water cycle from the stream to the sea and the surf. The materials used are low-corrosion stainless steel. The mechanism is simple and low-maintenance" (Reinhold Gabriel). (Source: Ars Natura Foundation)

Ars Natura artwork "Woman with Goose" by Cornelia Brader, Memmingen: Since the people of Elbersdorf call themselves "Gigäker," referring to the numerous geese that once flocked to the small Esse River, which flows through the village, they received the sculpture "Woman with Goose" for their village community center. Cornelia Brader trained as a woodcarver, then studied fine art and sculpture at the Bremen Art Academy, where she was a master student under Bernd Altenstein. On the one hand, her work exhibits a very precise, detailed design, while on the other, some sections are deliberately left somewhat raw and uncarved. Her very sensitive use of color is also typical. The artist is the most frequently represented artist on the ARS NATURA trails. (Source: Ars Natura Foundation)

Bench and artwork "platz - vorbehalten" by Matthias Lingelbach (Idee und Form, Department of Architecture, Urban and Landscape Planning, University of Kassel) "Nature as a participant! The concept "platz - vorbehalten" focuses on nature. On the hiking trails of the ARS NATURA Foundation, people are surrounded by forests, meadows, and other natural wonders. The concept, in the form of artfully designed seating elements, is intended to invite visitors to relax, linger, and explore. At the same time, it is intended to stimulate reflection. In this concept, it is not people who reserve and claim the necessary space; rather, nature reclaims its place. The benches function as a place of encounter and for the formation of a future symbiosis between humans and nature. Understanding nature as a "seating partner" means appreciating and protecting it more in everyday life. These seating elements are not tied to any specific location on the trail and can be arranged individually or as a group" (M. Lingelbach). The design was developed as part of the student competition "Idea and Form" at the ASL Department of the University of Kassel. The seminar is led by architects Igor Vrána and Janosch Nowak. The designs incorporate the concept of the ARS NATURA Foundation as well as the structural requirements of the "Design and Building Construction" department. (Source and further information on "Idea and Form" can be found at www.ars-natura-stiftung.de)

LEADER funding assumes that tourism is a growth sector, from which rural areas and the local population in the region particularly benefit. Great importance is placed on increasing the focus on nature, which is also the aim of ARS NATURA – to use artworks and their messages to raise awareness of the beauty of nature and the importance of treating it with care. The infrastructure is also part of creating a sustainable hiking trail. According to the funding program, benches should now, in light of climate change, provide protection not only from rain but also from excessive sun. The "Beach Chair" bench was designed precisely for this purpose by the Herlefeld woodworking shop and installed at three locations along Elbersdorfer 8. (Source: Ars Natura Foundation)