Best backpacking trails in Thuringian Forest Nature Park

This route follows stage 1 of the Rennsteig, connecting Hörschel on the Werra River with Ruhla on a historic first section. The hike leads from the banks of the Werra up into the Thuringian Forest, offering vast views and passing historical markers such as the "Wilde Sau" stone cross and the Vachaer Stein. A special highlight is the Hohe Sonne rest area, which provides an impressive view of Wartburg Castle. Traditionally, hikers collect a pebble from the Werra at the start in Hörschel to...

This route follows stage 5 of the Rennsteig, connecting Frauenwald (Allzunah) with Friedrichshöhe on a historically significant section. The hike marks the transition from the Thuringian Forest to the Thuringian Slate Mountains and passes the Großer Dreiherrenstein, which marks the exact geographic midpoint of the 169 km trail. Cultural and scenic highlights include Neustadt am Rennsteig with its Rennsteig Museum, the Rennsteigwarte observation tower on the Eselsberg near Masserberg, and the...

This route follows stage 2 of the Rennsteig, connecting Ruhla (Hubertushaus) with the Ebertswiese near Friedrichsroda on a scenically beautiful section. The path runs via the Ruhlaer Häuschen to the striking Glöckner rock formation and eventually climbs the Großer Inselsberg, which offers spectacular views across Thuringia from its 916-meter summit. As you hike through deep mixed forests, historic boundary stones like the Dreiherrenstein at Großer Weißenberg line the path, bearing witness to...

This route follows stage 3 of the Rennsteig, connecting the Ebertswiese near Friedrichsroda with the famous sports resort of Oberhof on a densely forested section. The hike leads through extensive, untouched woodland over the Nesselberg and Sperrhügel hills to the Hoher Schorn observation tower, which offers sweeping panoramas. Shortly before the destination, the path reaches the winter sports center at Grenzadler, where hikers pass directly by the biathlon arena and the famous ski jumps...

This route follows stage 4 of the Rennsteig, connecting Oberhof with Frauenwald (Allzunah) on one of the most scenic sections of the trail. From the Grenzadler, the path passes the famous Rennsteig Garden and climbs to the Großer Beerberg, the highest peak in the Thuringian Forest at 982 meters. Highlights include the high moor on the Beerberg, the Herbert Roth Monument at Borstenplatz, and the historic Schmücke inn. The path continues past the Nahe Spring to the traditional Rennsteig station...

This route follows stage 6 of the Rennsteig, connecting Friedrichshöhe with Spechtsbrunn on a diverse section. From the slate-roofed houses of Friedrichshöhe, the trail leads via Limbach to Bernhardsthal, where a natural swimming lake offers a perfect rest stop. Passing through Neuhaus am Rennweg—home to Thuringia's highest train station—the path continues via Ernsthal and the Frankenwaldblick viewpoint to the Brand mountain inn and finally Spechtsbrunn. Overnight stays are available at the...

The Rennsteig is Germany's oldest long-distance ridge walk, stretching 169 km (105 miles) from Hörschel to Blankenstein and typically completed in eight stages. This historic path traverses the crests of the Thuringian Forest, the Thuringian Slate Mountains, and the Franconian Forest, offering expansive views and dense woodland scenery. Notable highlights include the Großer Inselsberg and numerous historic boundary stones known as Dreiherrensteine. Most hikers travel southeastward across this...

This route follows stage 7 of the Rennsteig, connecting Spechtsbrunn with Brennersgrün on a historically significant section along the Thuringian-Bavarian border. The trail leads through dense spruce forests of the Franconian Forest and passes the Kalte Küche, a historic inn on an old trade route. A special highlight is hiking along the Green Belt, where old boundary stones and relics of the former inner-German border line the path. Overnight stays are available in guesthouses in Spechtsbrunn...

Stage 1 of the long-distance hiking trail "Panoramaweg Schwarzatal", Thuringia. This is the first stage of the Panorama Trail Schwarzatal, which follows the course of the Schwarza from its source on the Rennsteig to where it flows into the Saale over a distance of around 140 kilometres. The first stage begins in Schwarza and ends in Schwarzburg. Castles, palaces, idyllic villages, great views and plenty of peace and nature await hikers on this certified quality trail. Overnight accommodation...

Stage 2 of the long-distance cycle route "Rennsteig cycle path", Thuringia. This is the second stage of the approximately 200 km long Rennsteig Cycle Trail, 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 paths. The second...