Wartburg from Hohe Sonne Parking Lot

This route connects one of the most spectacular natural monuments in Thuringia with the most important symbol of German history. The trail leads from the Rennsteig Pass at the Hohe Sonne parking lot down into the fascinating Drachenschlucht gorge, where the path winds over gratings directly above the stream through crevices, some of which are only shoulder-wide. After the ascent out of the gorge, the trail leads across the Sängerwiese meadow up to Wartburg Castle, which towers majestically over Eisenach. The route follows a challenging mixture of damp grid paths in the gorge, shady forest trails and paved castle paths. The moss-covered rock faces of the gorge are an excellent place to observe fire salamanders, while the old beech forests around the castle provide a habitat for various species of woodpecker. The route includes moderate inclines and requires surefootedness due to the often damp conditions in the gorge.