The best hikes from bus stations in Westwald

Originally, the square west of the castle was called "Reitbahn" and was used for riding the horses that were housed in the hunting lodge (built in 1704 by Landgrave Ernst Ludwig) and the Old Stables on the west side of the square. Tournaments also took place on the square, and fireworks were set off here during court festivities. After the drill hall was built north of the castle (on the site of the Hessian State Museum), the square was used for drills, but above all for festive parades, and was therefore called Paradeplatz. Soldiers from the Leibgarde barracks on Alexanderstraße also used the square for drills (Leibgarde, barracks). It was completely level and cordoned off with wooden planks, later with chains hung on round stone pillars. The southern part of the square by the White Tower was called "Weißer-Turm-Platz", and since the construction of Ernst-Ludwig-Straße, "Ernst-Ludwig-Platz". From 1897, it was spatially separated from Friedensplatz by the tramway and the Schloss stop. The square was first built upon when the monument to Grand Duke Ludwig IV was erected in the center in 1898 and enclosed with a small garden. At the same time, Friedensplatz was considerably reduced in the north by the new construction of the State Museum, whose south facade extended about 20 meters south opposite the old drill hall. The State War Memorial (Landeskriegerdenkmal), erected in the center of the square in 1879, therefore came too close to the museum's staircase and was moved in 1906 in front of the museum tower, where it stood until its demolition in 1952. Designs by Alfred Messel and Friedrich Pützer for a kind of hall of honor behind the monument to Ludwig IV were not realized. Source: https://www.darmstadt-stadtlexikon.de/f/friedensplatz.html

The Kunsthalle Darmstadt has made a name for itself with national and international exhibitions and is a fixture in the city's cultural life. Since 1957, the Kunsthalle in the now heritage-listed Theo-Pabst-Bau has been showing regional and international thematic exhibitions and solo shows. As an exhibition venue, the Kunsthalle Darmstadt stands for a diverse program that addresses current trends in art across genres. The focus is equally on established and young artists, whose promotion is a particular concern for the Kunsthalle. In addition to "classical" genres, the Kunsthalle also focuses on new developments, such as the expansion of art into virtual space, and offers a platform for discourse on the social significance and relevance of art. Its diverse supporting program, including guided tours, film evenings, and regular evening events, rounds off the Kunsthalle's offerings.

The Kunsthalle Darmstadt has made a name for itself with national and international exhibitions and is a fixture in the city's cultural life. Since 1957, the Kunsthalle has been showcasing regional and internationally represented thematic exhibitions and solo shows in the Theo-Pabst-Bau, which is now a listed building. As an exhibition venue, the Kunsthalle Darmstadt stands for a diverse program that is dedicated to current trends in art across genres. The focus is equally on established and young artists, whose promotion is a particular concern for the Kunsthalle. In addition to "classic" genres, the Kunsthalle also highlights new developments, such as the expansion of art into virtual space, and offers a platform for discourse on the social significance and relevance of art. Its diverse supporting program, including guided tours, film evenings, and regular evening events, completes the Kunsthalle's offerings.

There aren't many shelters in the western forest. I regularly pass this one while jogging. It's a good refuge when the weather turns really bad. It's also perfect for resting, of course.

Driving here is an absolute experience and highly recommended.

Sometimes there's a good art exhibition

The Bessunger Kiesgrube nature reserve covers an area of almost 12 hectares. The fenced-in gravel pit is an important refuge for many birds that live in Darmstadt. Rare migratory water birds also find a safe resting place here.

In addition to the velodrome, there are training tracks for mountain bikes and cyclocross, and two cycling halls. The large hall has playing fields for cycle ball, cycle polo, and unicycling. A "motorcycle race" featuring classic motorcycles also takes place once a year on the velodrome, which features two banked turns with a 30° incline.