The thunder of galloping horses echoes across the slopes, the sound of horns can be heard from afar, the barking of dogs accompanies the ducal entourage - if you let your gaze wander over the imposing forests and meadows of the Taunus slopes, you can well imagine how Europe's celebrities once hunted over "the Platte". The Platte hunting lodge, completed in 1826, was considered an important social attraction. In a slightly different way, that is exactly what it is again today.

The old hunting lodge towers 500 meters above Wiesbaden, yet is only a stroll away from the city centre. The best place to start is on the northern edge of the city, on the Neroberg: past the Russian Orthodox Church and across the Rabengrund, the five-kilometre hiking trail leads through the Rhine-Taunus Nature Park. Don't be alarmed if a deer or stag crosses your path in the distance: The former hunting ground is still known for its extensive game population.

Once at the top, the lavishly restored castle and the adjoining Jagdschloss Platte inn welcome you with a menu that includes both German and French classics. Although dukes and tsars no longer reside here, thanks to the spectacular glass roof, the ruins are still a social attraction - for weddings, for example.