Best hard trails in Thuringia

Popular loop, in Wartburg - Hohe Sonne nature reserve, Thuringia This is a great loop through the Thuringian Forest, which has a lot to offer from the beautiful town of Eisenach to the historic Wartburg Castle and natural attractions such as the Drachenschlucht. A special sight along the route is the "Wilde Sau" stone cross, which was erected in 1483 and is the oldest of its kind on the Rennsteig. Attention: The Drachenschlucht can be closed at short notice due to the weather. The path can...

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...

Popular, varied loop through the Wartburg - Hohe Sonne nature reserve, Thuringia. The hike starts in Eisenach's old town, which is well worth seeing, right by the railway station, and leads up to Wartburg Castle. It is well worth a visit here and there are refreshment stops and bathrooms. The route then leads to the fantastic, wild and romantic Drachenschlucht gorge. Over wooden planks or gratings, the route leads directly over a stream and between the moss-covered, gigantic stones. There...

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...

Popular, scenic loop in the Thuringian Forest, Thuringia. This popular route, which completely circumnavigates the Schmalwasser dam, inspires young and old alike. The dam has a huge storage volume and is therefore also called the "Dietharzer Meer" ("Dietharzer Sea"). It is still used today for flood protection and power generation. The Röllchen, a ridge near the dam, is particularly impressive. Once a year there is a two-dam run here in "Canada in Thuringia". Since there are nice resting...

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...

Popular, panoramic hike in the Thuringian Forest, Thuringia. The tour starts at the tourist information office in Tabarz (390m above sea level). Here is also the starting point of the Vulkansteig with some information and the "Ringelnatz" gallery with constantly changing exhibitions. Tabarz can be reached by bus from Gotha or Eisenach or with the Thuringian Forest Railway from Gotha. It is a few minutes' walk from the stop to the starting point. First the path leads through the Lauchagrund...