A Journey Begins in Meura

The morning air was crisp as I arrived in Meura, a small town nestled in the heart of the Thuringian Forest. The sun was just beginning to peek over the horizon, casting long shadows across the landscape. I had come to this remote corner of Germany to experience something entirely new—a Segway tour of the Leibis dam. As an urban explorer, my adventures often take me to the decaying remnants of Soviet-era cities, but today, I was drawn to the allure of nature and the promise of discovering hidden stories beneath the surface.

The tour began near the Meura Haflinger stud farm, a place where the gentle giants of the horse world roamed freely. Our guide, a local with a deep knowledge of the area, introduced us to the Segways. These two-wheeled machines seemed almost futuristic against the backdrop of the ancient forest. As we set off, the hum of the Segways mingled with the rustling leaves, creating a symphony of sound that accompanied us on our journey.

The Path to the Past

Our route took us along an asphalt road, winding through the forest towards the Leibis dam. The path was lined with rock formations and sculpture benches, each telling a story of the land’s history. As we glided past, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to the past, as if the very stones beneath us whispered tales of those who had walked this path before.

The dam itself was a marvel of engineering, standing as the second highest in Germany at 102.5 meters. As we crossed it, the panorama of water, forest, and meadows unfolded before us, a breathtaking sight that seemed to stretch into eternity. Our guide shared stories of the town of Leibis, now lying at the bottom of the reservoir, a ghostly reminder of the past submerged beneath the water’s surface.

We paused at the memorial stone, a silent sentinel marking the site of the first Kümmerling distillery. Here, the air was thick with history, and I found myself lost in thought, imagining the lives that had once thrived in this now-quiet place.

A View from Urianfelsen

Our journey continued to the Urian rock, a viewpoint offering a stunning vista of the Deesbach reservoir and the Leibis dam. The landscape was a tapestry of colors, the deep greens of the forest contrasting with the shimmering blue of the water. It was a place that seemed untouched by time, a sanctuary where nature reigned supreme.

As we stood there, the wind whispering through the trees, I felt a sense of peace wash over me. It was a moment of reflection, a reminder of the beauty that exists in the world, even in the most unexpected places. The Segway tour had taken me on a journey not just through the forest, but through time itself, revealing the hidden stories of a land steeped in history.

As we made our way back to Meura, I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the experience. It was a reminder that adventure can be found in the most unlikely of places, and that sometimes, the journey is just as important as the destination. The Thuringian Forest had revealed its secrets to me, and I left with a newfound appreciation for the beauty of nature and the stories it holds.