Long distance hiking trail - Rennsteig - From Hörschel to Blankenstein - Thuringian Forest

The Rennsteig begins on the banks of the Werra in Hörschel. Here, it is customary, you should take a pebble with you to throw into the Saale at the end of your tour. The first stage leads you about 19 kilometers almost steadily uphill. At the Großer Eichelberg (310 m above sea level) you have a beautiful view of the Wartburg before you pass the Vachaer Stein. The obelisk and signpost reminds you of an old pass that was already used by Napoleon. Continue on mostly easy paths to your destination in Ascherbrück, which is easy to find because the tour is marked with a white "R" throughout.Did you know? The actual meaning of the name Rennsteig is "to move quickly". Originally, it was an old trade route connecting important cities and towns, mainly used by messengers in a hurry.

2nd stage: From Ascherbrück to the Spießberghaus:

The second stage takes you on about 20 km from Ascherbrück to the Spießberghaus near Friedrichroda. Here you need to be fit and sure-footed, because at the Großer Inselsberg the Rennsteig reaches its second highest point at 916 m above sea level. The summit compensates you for the strenuous climb with a breathtaking view. The trail then descends in the direction of the Possenröder Kreuz. Here, benches and a shelter invite you to take a break. Soon you will reach your destination at the mountain meadows of the Thuringian Forest.

Stage 3: From the Spießberghaus to the Grenzadler:

In contrast to the first two stages, the third is a true rest for tired hiking legs. From Spießberghaus you hike on easy paths for about 23 kilometers to Grenzadler. A short rest is worthwhile at the lookout tower on the Krämerod. If you climb the platform, you are guaranteed a great view over the Thuringian Forest before you reach the border eagle, which marked a former border.Tip for sports enthusiasts: From the Grenzadler, it's worth taking a short detour to the ski jumps on the Rennsteig in Kanzlersgrund or to the luge track.

Stage 4: From Grenzadler to Allzunah

The fourth stage leads from Grenzadler to Allzunah. On the 23 kilometers you will pass the highest elevation of the Thuringian Forest, the Großer Beerberg with 983 m above sea level.Shortly after the start, the first highlight awaits you: the Rennsteig Garden. It houses about 4,000 mountain plants from all over the world and is really worth a visit. At Plänckners Aussicht (973 m above sea level) you will stand on the highest point of the entire Rennsteig. Enjoy the panoramic view!Continue on to a monument dedicated to the inventor of the "Rennsteiglied": Herbert Roth. Another short detour to the bunker museum Frauenwald and you have arrived at your destination in Allzunah.

Stage 5: From Allzunah to Friedrichshöhe

From Allzunah to Friedrichshöhe (about 24 kilometers) the Rennsteig changes from the ridge of the Thuringian Forest to that of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. On the fifth stage, you will pass the "Dreiherrensteinen", which testify to the fact that the Rennsteig is not only a high-altitude trail, but was also a borderline. After that you cross the center of the trail.Immediately behind Masserberg, it is worth climbing the steps of the Rennsteigwarte. The lookout tower offers a fantastic view over the region. If the weather is good, you can already spot the destination Friedrichshöhe in the distance.

Stage 6: From Friedrichshöhe to Spechtsbrunn

On the sixth stage, you will walk about 22 kilometers from Friedrichshöhe to Spechtsbrunn on easily accessible paths. Before you leave the starting point, you should visit the exhibition of the Thuringian Forest Nature Park in the former school building. After about three kilometers you will reach the Dreistromstein. The special feature of this monument is that the rainwater here flows to three different rivers - the Elbe, the Main and the Rhine. After Neuhaus am Rennweg, the highest town in Thuringia, Spechtsbrunn is not far away.Tip: A look into the baroque village church of Spechtsbrunn from the year 1747 is worthwhile.

Stage 7: From Spechtsbrunn to Brennersgrün

On the seventh stage from Spechtsbrunn to Brennersgrün, you will pass one of the most important pass crossings of the Thuringian Forest, the "Kalte Küche" (cold kitchen), over a distance of about 20 kilometers. Here you will meet the Kurfürstenstein, the oldest and most beautiful heraldic stone of the Rennsteig, and pass the border between Thuringia and Bavaria. Shortly before the stage destination Brennersgrün you will find the miniature world Mooshäuschen of a local landscape gardener, which is really enchanting.

Stage 8: From Brennersgrün to Blankenstein

rom Brennersgrün, easy paths lead you on about 21 kilometers to the finish of the Rennsteig in Blankenstein.With the eighth and last stage you cross the former inner-German border twice. The official end point of the hike is the Selbitz Bridge, where the Selbitz flows into the Saale. Don't forget to hand over your stone from the Werra to the floods. This way, the eventful days on the Rennsteig will remain in your memory and luck will accompany you all the way home, says the custom.