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3 Hikers on a forest path with mossy rocks on the Rennsteig trail

Rennsteig Trail, Eisenach – Neuhaus

Adventure and unspoiled nature in Thuringia

8 Days / 7 Nights
Walking
3 Hikers on a forest path with mossy rocks on the Rennsteig trail

The Rennsteig is one of the most well-known high-altitude hiking trails in Germany, and has also been recognised as a ‘Certified Quality Hiking Trail’. It runs along the narrow and long ridge of the Thuringian Forest, past vast forests and blooming meadows. It combines unspoiled nature with cultural sights. There is an old tradition relating to this hiking trail: hikers take a stone from the Werra River at the beginning of the trail and throw it back into the water at the Saale River at the end of the hike. In the Middle Ages the Rennsteig was an important trade and border route. The Wartburg World Heritage Site is just one of the historical highlights you will experience on this tour.

Stephanie Erbschwendtner
Stephanie Erbschwendtner
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From the town of Eisenach, famous for its connections to Martin Luther, you will travel to Ruhla-Ascherbrück and via Ebertswiese to Oberhof. On the way to the holiday resort Frauenwald you will climb the highest point of the Rennsteig, which lies at a staggering 973 metres. From Frauenwald you will then hike to the spa town of Masserberg before arriving at your destination Neuhaus on the last day. Find all the info and many more tour tips on the Rennsteig here.

  • Eisenach: In the historical Luther town of Eisenachyou should plan enough time to visit the legendary Wartburg Castle and discover the interesting details throughout the town.
  • Großer Inselsberg: With an altitude of around 912 metres, this forested mountain is a prominent point in the Thuringian Forest. A steep climb to a stunning view begins there. For over 1,000 years, the Großer Inselberg has marked the historical border between the districts of Gotha and Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
  • Ruhla: This picturesque mountain town on the northern side of the Thuringian Forest is famous for its traditional clock making. It is also a state-recognised spa town that offers pure relaxation at an altitude of 440 to 530 metres.
  • Dragon Gorge: This legendary natural monument delights hikers and geologists alike. The narrow gorge leads over a rushing brook.

This enchanting hike through Thuringia includes stages with varying degrees of difficulty, ranging from easy to moderately difficult. The paths are well-developed. Nevertheless, you should have a good basic condition in order to be able to cope well with the longer daily stages and to enjoy the nature on the high-altitude trails without any worries.

Itinerary at a glance

Picturesque places like the Werraquelle (source of the Werra River) and the Drachenschlucht (Dragon's Gorge) complement the greenery of the Thuringian Forest. The tour takes you to the Sommerrodelbahn (summer toboggan run) in Ernstthal and to the midpoint of the Rennsteig trail, where a museum awaits those interested in its history.

Explore Luther city Eisenach with its fortress during a stroll through the city.

Short train journey to Hörschel. In accordance with old tradition, this is the trailhead of the Rennsteig trail. The route takes you into the little mountain town of Ruhla, renowned for its historic watch manufacturing tradition. You continue on tranquil paths via the ‚Hohe Sonne’ and reach Ruhla-Ascherbrück. We definitely recommend a detour to the impressive dragon gorge.

Past Ruhlaer Häuschen you walk to mountain Großer Inselsberg, which measures 912 m at his highest point. From there a steep climb is awaiting you, but you will be rewarded with a fabulous view. This popular section leads down to Grenzwiese, Dreiherrenstein and on to Ebertswiese with its mountain meadows and lakes.

You start at 730 m above sea level and walk comfortable across the Rennsteig through the Thuringia Forest, past Krämerrod and Wachsenrasen, and on to the climatic health resort Oberhof. In the near, the Grenzadler, a centuries-old landmark is awaiting you, today it is marking the DKB-skiing arena. The popular winter sports resort is inviting you for relaxation and offers many wellness treatments for tired legs.

Today the highest point of the Rennsteig is awaiting you. You walk up onto 973 m. The walking tour leads past idyllic meadows with huts and springs, which invite you for a break. Before you reach Frauenwald you pass train station Rennsteig, where special trains go into the nature.

From Frauenwald you pass mountain Großer Dreiherrenstein. The roads from Illmenau, Neustadt, and Allzunah are meeting here. In Neustadt the centre of the Rennsteig is located in the Rennsteig museum. From Thuringia Forest you continue into the Thuringia Schiefergebirge (shale mountains). You cross the Schwalbenhauptwiese and meet a hollow way, which has been formed through elution and usage.

You walk from the Rennsteig lookout to Friedrichshöhe. The village is imbedded in deep Thuringia Forest and well known as smallest independent village of the German Democratic Republic as well as for its absolute silence. A detour to the spring of river Werra is worth is before you continue your tour via Limbach to Neuhaus.

Day
08
Departure or extension

Route information

Walking

The level of the hiking tour is easy to medium. You walk mainly on good walking paths and ridgeways, which offer beautiful views as well as in silent and untouched nature. If you are in a good shape the daily tours can be managed without difficulties.

Prices & Dates

Category: beautiful 3*** hotels, guesthouses and pensions

Prices per person in EUR

Services & Information

Further details about this tour

Included

  • Accommodation as already mentioned
  • Breakfast
  • Luggage transfer
  • Transfers according to program
  • 1 Train fare Eisenach - Hörschel
  • 1 Rennsteig Hikingpass
  • Carefully elaborated route description
  • Detailed travel and tour documents 1x per room (German, English)
  • Service-Hotline

Optional extras

  • Return transfer to Eisenach (min. 2 people), costs per person from Neuhaus EUR 125, reservation required, payable locally.

Arrival / Parking / Departure

  • By train to Eisenach and a short walk (approx. 10 minutes) to the hotel.
  • Frankfurt airport
  • Car park: limited number of hotel car park, approx. from EUR 7 per day, no reservation required. Free car park near the hotel or public parking garage for approx. EUR 70 per week.
  • Back to the starting point by train or bus, duration approx. 3.5 hours from Neuhaus.

Things to note

  • Minimum number of participants: 2 people
  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
  • Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
  • This tour is a partner tour.
Stephanie Erbschwendtner

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