The Barbarossaweg is an older path, realized in 1930. The division of Germany into East and West cut right through it, and for many years the trail ended at the eastern border of Hessen. Nowadays you can walk the trail as it was originally envisaged, all the way from Korbach in Hessen to Tilleda in Thuringen. The trail is marked by the sign "X8". Between Heldrastein and Ederbringhausen the Barbarossaweg runs together with the Wanderweg der Deutschen Einheit for about 130 km.

The selling points of this path are the nature reserves in Hessen (Kellerwald-Edersee) and Thuringen (Kyffhäuser). Second, the path is garnished with many works of art. Ars Natura has installed about 150 modern art objects along this route. And finally, the path has historic values. It is named after Kaiser Friedrich I, known as Kaiser Barbarossa. And along the path are reminders and monuments of Germany's past.