Although short, the Gera cycle path is wonderfully varied: from the Rennsteig to spectacular nature in the Thuringian Forest. You will experience rich history and culture in Arnstadt and Erfurt, ride through picturesque floodplains and follow the Gera to Gebesee where it flows into the Unstrut.

The Gera cycle path leads you 47 miles (75 kilometers) through spectacular landscape, exciting history, and culture across two stages. The cycle route through Thuringia is crowned by the region’s culinary specialities which you can spoil yourself with in the numerous restaurants, cafés and huts along the way. You'll also find plenty of overnight accommodation en route.

The starting point of the Gera cycle path is on the Rennsteig in the Thuringian Forest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve where the two source streams of the Gera, the Zahme Gera and the Wilde Gera, spring up. In Plaue, in the foothills of the Thuringian Forest, the two streams flow together to form the mighty Gera. From here, the cycle path runs for long stretches directly along its banks to Gebesee where the Gera flows into the Unstrut.

You can get to the starting point on the Rennsteig, the Schmücke, from Rennsteig, Gehlberg and Zella-Mehlis. You can reach the starting point of the Gera cycle path within four and six miles (seven and ten kilometers) of their train stations. I have compiled the exact routes in this collection in three additional stages. From the end point in Gebesee, you can travel home by train from Ringleben-Gebesee or simply continue on the Unstrut cycle path: komoot.com/collection/547/unstrut-cycle-path-4-days-through-thuringia-and-saxony-anhalt.