Best backpacking trails in Thuringia

Stage 1 of the “SaaleHorizontale” long-distance hiking trail, Thuringia. This is the first stage of the certified SaaleHorizontale quality trail, a wonderful trail through the Saale valley with start and finish in Jena. The first stage of the long-distance hiking trail starts in Jena and ends in Ziegenhain. Since it is sometimes quite steep uphill and you hike close to steep rocks, especially in the Pennickental area, this hike is classified as challenging. Fantastic views of the university...

This route follows the first stage of the Rennsteig and connects Hörschel on the River Werra with Ruhla along a first section steeped in history. The walk leads from the banks of the Werra up into the Thuringian Forest, offering sweeping views and passing historic landmarks such as the ‘Wilde Sau’ stone cross and the Vachaer Stein. A particular highlight is the Hohe Sonne rest stop, which offers an impressive view of Wartburg Castle. Traditionally, hikers collect a pebble from the Werra at...

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...

6th partial stage of the official Saaleradweg long-distance cycle route from the Saale source to the confluence with the Elbe The long-distance cycle path is an official cycle path of the Saaleradweg eV and is signposted with the pictogram of a cyclist on a blue stripe and the text "Saale". The long-distance cycle path runs on cycle path D-Route 11, which runs from the Baltic Sea to Upper Bavaria. The route is also part of the R1 European cycle route (France / Russia) and the EuroVelo2...

4th partial stage of the long-distance cycle route through Thuringia from Eisenach to Altenburg The term "Thuringian chain of cities" refers to an imaginary line 130 kilometers long, along which the six largest cities in the state of Thuringia line up in an easterly direction. The long-distance cycle route mainly leads through flat terrain and mostly on paved dirt roads and side roads. The route marking includes the designation "Thüringer Städtekette" with the central pictogram of a...

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...