Fretterode Cliffs

The path is partially poorly signposted, many junctions or intersections are not marked on the map. Therefore, recommendation: use GPS for help.

Don't have high expectations for the "cliffs," you cannot actually see them. But the view is fantastic.

From the parking lot, it starts gently uphill right away, but it gets steeper from the forest. We want to go up. Once at the top, a little further through the forest and immediately along the edge of the large, beautiful dry grassland area starting to the right, into the forest. Eventually, you reach a junction; I have put the sign back up, where you must follow the path to the right. Finally, a wooden sign points to the Fretterode Cliffs. Here, a short steep descent leads to a nice resting spot with a fantastic view. Far in the background the Hoher Meißner, in front of that the ridge to the Teufelskanzel, to the left the forested Thuringian mountains. It is worth taking a break here. Then either back up and return, or continue along the narrow path through the forest, which gradually becomes narrower. But you soon see the wider path, which we take twice to the right until the intersection to the cliffs. Then back along the path through the forest, along the dry grassland, and again on the path, this time turning right across the beautiful high plateau with distant views to the left. At the fork, turn left and then go down briefly on asphalt towards Schönhagen to the Marian Chapel. There is another resting place with a view over the village into the distance. Afterward, a short way back and then steeply uphill again to the high plateau on the right. There we cross beautiful, large dry grass and grassland areas. If it is too far now, you can turn left at a signposted junction back to Fretterode. But we continue through the forest, then downhill to the left again, at the next fork left again steeply down following the path. At the fork near the Highland cattle, left again, past the Gerbershausen "hut" back to Fretterode.