Dominik Ketz
The Rennsteig — Thuringia's most beautiful hiking route
Hiking Collection by Thüringer Wald
8
days
4-7 h
/ day
113 mi
10,275 ft
9,700 ft
The Rennsteig, Germany's oldest and best-known long-distance hiking trail, is both a cult and a myth. Here, you'll experience the magic and naturalness of the Thuringian Forest Mountains up close, while satisfying your desire for both a physical challenge and immersion in some seriously beautiful nature.
The Rennstieg stretches over 105 miles (169.3 kilometers) and tells the story of some valuable German history. Serving as a border and trade route since the Middle Ages, the historical path winds its way from Hörschel on the Werra through to the Thuringian Forest, across the Slate Mountains and the Franconian Forest — all the way to Blankenstein on the Saale. So you can experience the best of this trek, we have divided the full route into eight relatively easy stages.
If you'd rather experience the Rennsteig by bike, that's possible too. Check out this Collection: komoot.com/collection/570/mtb-abenteuer-mitten-in-deutschland-3-tage-ueber-den-rennsteig
On The Map
Do it yourself
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Last updated: December 3, 2021
Plan your own version of this adventure in the multi-day planner based on the stages suggested in this Collection.
Tours & Highlights
- 07:1516.1 mi2.2 mph2,075 ft875 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The Rennsteig begins at the Werraufer in Hörschel. Here, so it is custom, you should take a pebble, which you throw in the hall at the end of your tour. The first stage leads you about 19 kilometers almost steadily uphill. At the large Eichelberg (310 m above sea level) offers a beautiful view of the…
- 07:2115.9 mi2.2 mph2,150 ft1,600 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
The second stage takes you to about 25 km from Ascherbrück to Ebertswiese. Here condition and sure-footedness are in demand, because on the large island mountain reaches the Rennsteig with 916 m over the sea level its second highest point.
The summit compensates you for the strenuous climb with a breathtaking…
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- 04:4310.7 mi2.3 mph975 ft650 ftIntermediateIntermediate Hiking Tour. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Unlike the first two stages, the third is a true recovery for tired hikers. From Ebertswiese you walk on easily accessible paths about 17 kilometers to the border eagle. A short break is worth the lookout tower on the Krämerod. If you climb the platform, you are guaranteed a great view over the Thuringian…
- 05:5313.3 mi2.3 mph1,025 ft1,325 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
On the fourth stage, it goes from Grenzadler to Allzunah. On the approximately 23 kilometers you come to the highest elevation of the Thuringian Forest, the Great Beerberg with 983 m above sea level. NN, over.
Shortly after the start, the first highlight is already waiting for you: the Rennsteiggarten…
- 07:1615.4 mi2.1 mph1,525 ft1,450 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
From Allzunah to Friedrichshöhe (about 24 kilometers), the Rennsteig changes from the ridge of the Thuringian Forest to the Thüringer Schiefergebirge. On the fifth stage you walk past the "Dreiherrensteinen", which testify that the Rennsteig is not only a mountain trail but also a borderline. Then you…
- 06:2914.8 mi2.3 mph975 ft1,300 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On well-walked paths you run on the sixth stage about 22 kilometers from Friedrichshöhe in the direction of Spechtsbrunn. Before you leave the starting point, you should visit the exhibition of the Nature Park Thuringian Forest in the former school building. After about three kilometers you will reach…
- 05:5313.5 mi2.3 mph1,000 ft950 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
On the seventh stage from Spechtsbrunn to Brennersgrün, it will take about 20 easy kilometers to negotiate over one of the most important pass crossings in the Thuringian Forest, the "Cold Kitchen". Here you meet u.a. on the Kurfürstenstein, the oldest and most beautiful crest stone of the Rennsteig…
- 05:4113.1 mi2.3 mph550 ft1,525 ftExpertExpert Hiking Tour. Very good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
From Brennersgrün you can easily walk on approximately 21 kilometers to the finish of the Rennsteig to Blankenstein.
With the eighth and last stage you cross twice the former inner German border. The official end point of the hike is the Selbitz Bridge, where the Selbitz flows into the Saale. Do not forget…
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Collection Stats
- Tours8
- Distance113 mi
- Duration50:31 h
- Elevation10,275 ft9,700 ft
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