Hikes in the Thuringian Forest

The classic long-distance hiking trail

The Rennsteig is Germany's oldest and most famous long-distance hiking trail. It stretches for around 169 kilometers from Hörschel on the Werra to Blankenstein on the Saale, following the ridge of the Thuringian Forest, the Thuringian Slate Mountains and the Franconian Forest. Traditionally, hikers take a pebble from the Werra at the start and throw it into the Saale at the end of the tour - a symbolic act that expresses their attachment to the trail.

Eight stages through the Thuringian Forest

The route is divided into eight stages: From Hörschel, the trail first leads to Ruhla, then on to Ebertswiese, a popular resting place with beautiful nature. The third stage ends at Grenzadler near Oberhof, a well-known winter sports center. The route then continues via Allzunah to Friedrichshöhe, a small village with historical flair. The sixth stage leads to Spechtsbrunn, followed by a section to Brennersgrün. The last stage finally takes hikers to Blankenstein, where the Rennsteig ends at the Selbitzbrücke bridge.

The trail is marked with a white "R" throughout and offers a varied mix of dense forests, open mountain ranges and cultural sights. There are around 1,300 historical boundary stones along the Rennsteig, known as Rennsteig stones or regional and official boundary stones. They mark former administrative or state borders and turn the trail into a journey through time through the history of Central Germany. The oldest known stone dates back to 1453, while the 13 so-called "Dreiherrensteine" (three lords' stones) are a special feature, where three areas of rule once met. The Dreistromstein near Friedrichshöhe is also unique in Germany - it marks the watershed between three major river systems: Elbe, Main and Rhine.

In five stages around the Thuringian Sea

The Hohenwarte Reservoir Trail leads in five stages through one of the most impressive low mountain ranges in Thuringia. The starting point is the dam wall in Hohenwarte, from where the trail leads up to Wilhelmsdorf on paths that are steep in places - past wide views over the lake and through tranquil forests. The second stage continues to Ziegenrück, a charming little town directly on the Saale, and offers many beautiful riverside paths as well as cultural stops such as at the Linkenmühle mill. In the third stage the trail leads through Altenbeuthen and on to Hohe Leite with one of the most beautiful panoramic views of the tour, before reaching Drognitz. From there, the fourth stage down through quiet wooded areas to the Lothramühle, a popular resting point in the valley. The final fifth stage takes hikers through small villages such as St. Jakob, past a historic healing fountain and back to the dam wall - with a final sweeping view over the Thuringian Sea. The entire trail is well signposted, close to nature and is best hiked between spring and fall.

Tip: The individual stages can of course also be hiked as wonderful day tours!