Inselsberg Loop

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 with numerous rock formations that are also used for climbing. On the way, we recommend a detour over approx. 100 steps to the oven holes. Then it goes on through the rock valley. In front of this rock backdrop, for example, “The Cold Heart” was filmed. There follows a fairly steep ascent to the Kleiner Inselsberg. Here you will find the fun park with summer toboggan run and numerous other attractions. Now it's again quite challenging uphill over the Reitsteine to the Großer Inselsberg (916m above sea level). When the weather is nice, the observation tower there offers a distant view of the Thuringian countryside. There are also exhibitions in the tower. Anyone who thinks they have dared enough can stay in the hostel (www.jugendherberge-inselsberg.de). It continues (the next day) over the Rennsteig and Wartburgblick, past the ski lift of the downhill route to "Schönen Leite". Via the Rotenbergswiese (NSG) and the rhododendron garden you go to the climbing forest in Tabarz. Here you can climb between the trees in different degrees of difficulty, ride a bike over a suspension bridge and much more. The path then leads back over the data mountain meadow to the starting point at the tourist information office. Highlights of the circular route: - Oven holes - Felsental - Rhododendron garden