Hiking - Rennsteig - Stage 4 - From Grenzadler to Allzunah

One of the most interesting stages on the Rennsteig lies ahead of you.

You start the tour directly at the Grenzadler near Oberhof at the Olympic base of the German biathletes and cross-country skiers. Past the Schanzenbaude  you go to Stein 16 and then on to the Rondel. You cross the Oberhof access road and make your way to the Rennsteiggarten, the largest and most diverse alpine garden in Germany. Botanical highlights from our latitudes can be found here on an area of more than 7 hectares.

Accordingly, the garden is located underneath the Rennsteig Garden.

The tunnel of the Thuringia Forest Motorway runs just below the Pfanntalskopf behind the Rennsteig Garden. You quickly follow the Rennsteig in a southerly direction to the Suhler Ausspanne and soon reach the high moor on the Großen Beerberg. It is the highest mountain in the Thuringian Forest. At 983 m, it is 5 m higher than the neighbouring Schneekopf, but there is an observation tower that allows visitors to climb to exactly 1001 m above sea level. The "Neue Gehlberger Hütte" offers hikers and cyclists (Bed+Bike operation) the possibility of accommodation in addition to the cosy refreshment stop.

Past the mountain rescue service at the Adler and über the Rosenkopf you will soon reach a turn-off to the "Suhler Hütte". Take your time and visit the idyllic mining hut in the middle of the forest for a rest. Take the small Rosenkopf road back to the Rennsteig and you will soon reach the Schmücke. Here, too, a snack bar with a lovely beer garden awaits hungry hikers and cyclists. The Waldhotel Schmücke offers just like the Suhler Hütte &overnight accommodation. At the Schmücke, the Rennsteig turns south again and follows the Schmückestra&szlig. 

At Borstenplatz is the Herbert Roth monument. He penned the most famous song in the Thuringian Forest: the Rennsteiglied.

Passing the Mordfleck (picnic area), you soon come to the Obere Nahequelle. The small clearing in the middle of the Thüringer Wald is a wonderful place to catch your breath. The trail drags a little until you reach the Rennsteig junction, but once you arrive at the small Rennsteig railway station, the local café invites you to take a breather.

If you are looking for refreshment, you will find the Rennsteighaus in the centre of Schmiedefeld - a district of Suhl. Showers are available here for Rennsteig hikers and cyclists. The information centre of the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Thuringian Forest is also located here.

The last few kilometres of the Rennsteig stage take you past the Forest Hotel "Rennsteighöhe" including the bunker museum, before heading to Allzunah.