recommended route
Circular hiking trail - Vesserquelle - Eisenberg - Thuringian Forest
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Haus am hohen Stein - Information centre - SchmiedefeldPhoto: Regionalverbund Thüringer Wald e. V.
The circular trail leads through Germany's oldest UNESCO biosphere reserve and seduces with its unique natural beauty in the Thuringian Forest.
The circular hiking trail first leads along the Suhler Chaussee and Cruxstraße to the Black Crux. The visitor mine is open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (Thursday is a day off), with refreshments available. From there, walk to the ten ponds in the Upper Vessertal to the Vesserquelle spring. Continue to the Wegscheide where you cross the Suhler Chaussee to the Salzberg. From the Salzberg you have a beautiful view in the direction of Goldlauter and Suhl. From there, the trail continues to the cold hostel. Around the Eisenberg you then go to the Liftbaude where a stop is possible (open Wednesday to Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm) and you can have a wonderful view of Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig.
Take the lift slope to Gablenzbach, where the finish line is again at the "Alte Post".
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Safety information
Please pay attention to the dangers typical of the forest and follow the instructions of the ThüringenForst staff. Always bear in mind that you are not only in a nature reserve, but even in a biosphere reserve. The use of open fires is strictly prohibited in the entire area of the Vessertal. Disposing of rubbish is also only permitted at designated places (rest areas with rubbish bins).Tips and hints
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig can be reached by bus from Ilmenau (line 300 IOV) or from Suhl (line K towards Vesser). To plan your journey, please use this link to the Deustchen Bahn travel planner:
Journey to Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig
.Just specify your desired travel date and starting point.
Special: You can reach the circular hiking trail on weekends in an environmentally friendly way with the RennsteigShuttle and RennsteigBus (line 300): Erfurt-Ilmenau-Bahnhof Rennsteig and continue by bus from Rennsteigkreuzung to Schmiedefeld, also the Schleusingen - Schmiedefeld line with the WerraBus (line 202).
Getting there
Coming from the A71, take exit 16 (Ilmenau West) and continue on the L3004 towards Ilmenau. Continue along the road through the town and follow the L3004 further in the direction of Stützerbach / Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig. At the Rennsteig junction, continue straight on towards Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig / Suhl. You will reach the town via Alte Ilmenauer Straße / Fritz-Arno-Wagner-Straße / Ruppachstraße.
Coming from the A73, take exit 4 (Schleusingen) and continue on the L3004 towards Hinternah-Schleusingerneundorf-Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig. You reach the starting point via Engertalstraße / Fritz-Arno-Wagner-Straße / Ruppachstraße.
Parking
Parking is possible at the Schmiedefeld Tourist Information (Google NAV point)
Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Tour tips, local map and hiking maps available at the Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig tourist information centre
- open 10 am - 6 pm every day.
Author’s map recommendations
Tour tips, local map and hiking maps available at the Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig tourist information centre
- open 10 am - 6 pm every day.
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
- Sturdy shoes
- rainwear
- First aid kit
- GPS device or smartphone
- Beverage reserve
Localization
Statistics
- 3 Waypoints
- 3 Waypoints
Questions and answers
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