Thüringer Wald
Thüringen is one of the most beutiful German states with the famous Thüringer Wald mountain range, scenic river valleys and lots of former residential cities of princes with their castles. Around Ilmenau you can experience culture and nature in a unique mix, cycling, hiking or skiing.
The
RennsteigShuttle on the historic railwayline between Ilmenau and the Rennsteig (peak hiking and cycling way of the Thüringer Wald) you can reach many interesting places and combine the ride to your hiking or cycling trips.
Hiking

In and around Ilmenau there are some 370 km of sign-posted hiking paths towards the surrounding area. We can especially recommend:
- Goethewanderweg: appr. 20 km tracing the writers ways between Ilmenau and Stützerbach
- Von Bach zu Goethe (leaflet pdf): appr. 25 km between Arnstadt and Ilmenau from places of the composer to those of the writer
- Long distance hiking path Jena-Eisenach (in parts along the peak trail of Thüringer Wald Rennsteig)
- Around the Kickelhahn
Information to most of the hiking paths and further links your can find on the
website of the city of Ilmenau.
Cycling
Trip proposaly for short bicycle trips in the area you can find
here.
In Ilmenau there is connection to
three supra-regional bicycle routes:
- Ilmtal-Radweg: appr. 120 km from spring near Allzunah at the Rennsteig via Ilmenau, Bad Berka,Weimar and Bad Sulza to the mouth into the riverSaale in Grossheringen
- Gera-Radweg: appr. 70 km from spring near the Schmücke at the Rennsteig via Arnstadt andErfurt to the mouth into the river Unstrut near Gebesee
- Rennsteig-Radweg: appr. 195 km from Hörschel near Eisenach to Blankenstein at the river Saale along the peak trail of the Thüringer Wald
We offer guided cycle trips in different training levels, half and full days by appointment. Ask us – we will be pleased to assist.
Winter sports
All over the region you in winter and at snowy weather
- Extensive cross country ski runs
- Cleared winter hiking paths
- Coasting slides (some with illumination at night)
- Alpine ski runs with lift
Most of the places are well accessible by public transport; the necessary equipment can be rented in Ilmenau.