Berkatal lies in the Meißner-Kaufunger Wald Nature Park at the foot of the Hoher Meißner massif.

In time arose great estates with stately houses with cellars in which was kept wine from the Rhineland meant for sale.

Still bearing witness today to the Frankershausen salt and wine dealers’ wealth are the preserved houses from the late 18th century along the Berkastraße and Am Wasser (“At the Water”).

The community acquired economic ascendancy during the boom in the salt and wine trades, to which the dwellers of the whole Meißnervorland dedicated themselves beginning in the 16th century.

The resident wagon drivers built along what is today the Meißnerstraße extensive estates with the typical great cellars for keeping wine.

The constituent community of Hitzerode had its first documentary mention in 1195 in a document from Pope Celestine III, in which he confirmed the Germerode Monastery's lordship.

Early in the village's history, building was confined to the Kirchberg (“Church Hill”) and the course of the Albunger Straße (road).

The municipal election held on 26 March 2006 yielded the following results: Since 1997 the community's mayor has been Friedel Lenze (SPD).

The community's arms might be described thus: Gules a bend sinister wavy argent between a cross moline and a wagon wheel of six spokes Or.