Vogelsbergkreis

Vogelsbergkreis is an administrative district in central Hesse that includes nineteen municipalities with Lauterbach as its county seat. The district spreads across hilly terrain with wide forests, small river valleys and agricultural land.

The district was created in 1972 by merging the former counties of Alsfeld and Lauterbach during Hessian territorial reform. This reorganization aimed to establish more capable administrative units and modernize municipal structures.

The district takes its name from the volcanic massif that shapes the region and now serves as a popular walking area. Many towns display half-timbered houses built from red sandstone and maintain regional traditions through autumn festivals.

Regional bus routes link the towns, while railway stations in Alsfeld and Lauterbach offer connections to Frankfurt and Giessen. The hilly topography makes having your own vehicle practical for exploring beyond the main centers.

Volcanic rock from extinct eruptions still shapes the reddish color of many buildings and fieldstones throughout the region. Geologists find basalt formations here that offer insights into eruption patterns from millions of years ago.

Location: Giessen Government Region

Inception: 1972

Capital city: Lauterbach

Elevation above the sea: 371 m

Shares border with: Fulda, Main-Kinzig-Kreis, Wetteraukreis, Gießen, Marburg-Biedenkopf, Schwalm-Eder-Kreis, Hersfeld-Rotenburg

Website: https://vogelsbergkreis.de

GPS coordinates: 50.64076,9.39979

Latest update: December 13, 2025 18:17