Holiday in Thuringian Forest

About Thuringian Forest

The Thuringian Forest is one of the most traditional hiking areas in Germany and the green heart of the republic. Like a mighty ridge, the low mountain range stretches over 150 kilometers through Thuringia and offers a mix of dense forests, historic high paths, and a cultural landscape shaped by Goethe, Schiller, and Bach. The Rennsteig, Germany's oldest and most famous long-distance hiking trail, follows the mountain ridge for 170 kilometers from Hörschel to Blankenstein and is a life goal for many hikers. The landscape is of breathtaking beauty: deep valleys with rushing streams, scenic peaks like the Großer Beerberg (982 m), the Schneekopf, and the Großer Inselsberg with its panoramic views as far as the Brocken. In autumn, the mixed forests transform into a sea of colors of gold, orange, and red – one of the most beautiful autumn forests in Europe. At the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest lie world-class cultural cities: Eisenach with the Wartburg, where Luther translated the Bible and German history was written chapter by chapter. Gotha with its Baroque Schloss Friedenstein, Arnstadt as the oldest town in Thuringia, and Oberhof, the winter sports center with the legendary biathlon arena at Rennsteig. In winter, the Thuringian Forest transforms into a cross-country skiing and biathlon paradise. The trails around Oberhof are among the most snow-sure in Central Europe, and the atmosphere at the Biathlon World Cup is electrifying. Away from the sports, snow-covered villages, cozy inns with Thuringian dumplings and red cabbage, and an Advent atmosphere like no other beckon. Getting there is convenient from all over Germany: Erfurt as an ICE hub is located directly at the northern edge of the forest, and from there it is only 30 minutes to the mountains. The Thuringian Forest is one of the most affordable holiday regions in Germany – here you get a lot of nature, culture, and hospitality for little money.