Cycle Paths to Luther - Stage Schmalkalden - Eisenach

The approximately 31-mile (50 km) day stage starts in the center of the Reformation and half-timbered town of Schmalkalden. Martin Luther stayed here in 1537 and laid the foundation for the church split across Europe with the Schmalkald Articles. Following the signs for the Mommelstein Cycle Path, the route passes Kaufland on the left, crosses the main road, and then directly enters the Mommelstein Cycle Path. It runs out of town along one of the most beautiful abandoned mountain railway lines of the Thuringian Forest. This leads at Wernshausen onto the Werra Valley Cycle Path. The course of the long-distance cycle path through the idyllic valleys of the Werra Valley takes you to Breitungen and its nearby lake landscape. Continuing along the Werra Valley Cycle Path, you arrive at the gravel lakes in Immelborn, where you turn right onto the Tannhäuser Cycle Path. Here begins the part of the route where ambitious cyclists will definitely get their money’s worth. You follow the signs past Glasbachgrund in Steinbach, the place of Luther’s abduction, near the spa town Bad Liebenstein, over the heights of the Thuringian Forest with the famous Rennsteig. Through Ruhla, it continues gently until you reach Wutha-Farnroda, where you join the long-distance cycle path of the Thuringian town chain. This takes you left on a direct route to the Luther city of Eisenach, where Luther translated the New Testament of the Bible at Wartburg Castle.