Best backpacking trails in Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park

Varied loop trail in the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park, Thuringia. This route leads around one of the largest reservoirs in Germany. The loop trail around the Hohenwarte reservoir can be completed both by mountain bike and on foot (as a multi-day tour). Highlights of the route: - Hohenwarte reservoir - Saale - Geiersberg - Kemenate Ziegenrueck

This route follows stage 8 – the final section – of the Rennsteig, connecting Brennersgrün with Blankenstein on a historic path through the Thuringian Slate Mountains. The hike leads via Schlegel, passing an impressive 400-year-old apple tree, and traverses the picturesque landscape of the Franconian Forest. The official destination is the Selbitz Bridge in Blankenstein, where, according to tradition, hikers throw the pebble collected at the start in Hörschel into the river to successfully...

This route follows stage 17, the official final leg of the certified "Kammweg Erzgebirge-Vogtland" premium trail, connecting Hirschberg with the grand finale in Blankenstein. The hike runs almost continuously along the banks of the Saale River, offering a profound nature and history experience through the "Green Belt" along the former inner-German border. Along the way, hikers will experience fascinating architectural structures and striking vantage points before the journey concludes at...

Near-natural stretch of road in the Franconian Forest, Thuringia The first section of the Franconian Trail begins in the Franconian Forest. From the Wiedeturm observation tower, you have a wonderful view over Blankenstein. Through the Höllental valley, you pass the famous "Hirschsprung", a large deer sculpture on a rock. In the nature reserve there, you can enjoy the wild and romantic atmosphere on the small bridges over the Selbitz. There are refreshment stops along the way. Highlights: -...

2nd stage of the Hohenwarte Stausee Trail, Thuringia. On this stage of the Hohenwarte Stausee Trail, there are a few metres in altitude to overcome. However, hikers are rewarded with unique views of the Saale cascades. The scenic route crosses several regional recreational areas. One section of the trail leads along the European long-distance hiking trail Eisenach-Budapest to Ziegenrück. Highlights: - Fantastic views - Unique landscape

2nd section of the official Saale long-distance cycle route from the source of the Saale to the mouth of the Elbe The long-distance cycle route is an official cycle route of the Saaleradweg e.V. and is signposted with the pictogram of a cyclist on a blue stripe and the text "Saale". The long-distance cycle route runs along the D-Route 11 cycle route, which runs from the Baltic Sea to Upper Bavaria. The route is also a section of the R1 European Cycle Route (France/Russia) and the EuroVelo2...

Popular, varied section of the Green Belt, Thuringia. This is a section of the circular hiking trail "Schieferweg" on the "Green Belt" - Probstzella - Thuringian Forest. The Slate Trail connects interesting geotopes, technical monuments and museums that were created in the historic mining areas in the Thuringian Slate Mountains / Upper Saale Nature Park. Highlights of the route: - Agent sluice - Sattel observation tower - Steinbachsmühle mill - Border opening monument

Demanding route of the "Saale-Orla-Hunderter". This route follows the challenging route of the "Saale-Orla-Hunderter", a classic 100-kilometre hiking marathon. This is an extreme endurance challenge. The route is a mixture of tarmac country roads, unpaved forest paths and dirt tracks and explores the picturesque, rolling hills of the Thuringian Slate Mountains and the Orla Valley. You can expect "hilly" terrain throughout without any technical sections. Success on this route depends solely...

Stage 3 of the "Rennsteig-Radwanderweg" long-distance cycle route, Thuringia/Bavaria. This is the third and final stage of the approximately 200 km long Rennsteig Cycle Route, which follows a ridge path from Hörschel on the Werra to Blankenstein on the Saale that has existed since the Middle Ages and was once used as a trade route. The cycle tour is largely identical to the famous long-distance hiking trail on the Rennsteig, which is why you are mostly travelling on gravelled, well-marked...

Interesting, idyllic section of the Schieferpfad circular hiking trail on the "Green Belt" - Probstzella - Thuringian Forest, Thuringia. The Slate Trail connects interesting geotopes, technical monuments and museums that were created in the historical mining areas in the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park. Highlights of the route: - View of the Saale valley - Wenceslas Cave - Viewing platform on the guard hill