From Rennsteig to Unstrut - the Gera cycle path in 2 stages

Bike Touring Collection by Johanna

Tours

07:03 h

61.1 mi

3,875 ft

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.

On The Map

The stages of the Gera cycle path

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 1: Vom Rennsteig (Schmücke) nach Arnstadt – Gera-Radweg
Intermediate
01:46
19.4 mi
11.0 mph
300 ft
2,375 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Some portions of the Tour may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
The Gera cycle path begins on the Schmücke. Not far from here, the two Gera springs arise in the Thuringian Forest. After enjoying the view from the jewelry, you swing on your bike and start rolling. This first stage is almost entirely downhill.You drive through the uniquely beautiful Thuringian Forest on easily navigable, curved forest paths and roads. Surrounded …
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 2: Von Arnstadt nach Gebesee – Gera-Radweg
Intermediate
02:32
25.8 mi
10.2 mph
275 ft
675 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
At the start of the second stage, you cycle comfortably on the Geraufer out of Arnstadt. Behind the gates of the city, beautiful sections of the cycle path await you, which lead you through enchanted avenues and wooded areas. Past wide fields and small villages you follow the Gera, which meanders to the north.About halfway you will reach Erfurt. …
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Anreise 1: Vom Bahnhof Rennsteig zur Schmücke – Gera-Radweg
Difficult
00:48
5.20 mi
6.5 mph
675 ft
150 ft
Expert bike ride. Good fitness required. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
On weekends and public holidays you can go to Rennsteig train station to get to the Gera cycle path. The Rennsteig shuttle runs from Ilmenau to the Rennsteig train station. You can find the timetables at sued-thueringen-bahn.de/freizeittipps/rennsteigshuttle.html.From the Rennsteig train station, take the Rennsteig cycle path to Schmücke, the starting point of the Gera cycle path.On the way …
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Anreise 2: Vom Bahnhof Gehlberg zur Schmücke – Gera-Radweg
Intermediate
00:53
4.45 mi
5.0 mph
1,200 ft
275 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
The shortest way to get from a train station to the Schmücke and thus to the starting point of the Gera cycle path is from Gehlberg. Gehlberg station is served by the Süd Thüringen Bahn from Erfurt and Meiningen. You can find the timetables at sued-thueringen-bahn.de.From the train station you cycle a short distance through the valley of the …
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Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Anreise 3: Vom Bahnhof Zella-Mehlis zur Schmücke – Gera-Radweg
Intermediate
01:04
6.20 mi
5.8 mph
1,425 ft
225 ft
Intermediate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
You have many travel options to the Zella-Mehlis train station, because both Deutsche Bahn and Süd Thüringen Bahn trains run here, for example from Erfurt or Würzburg. You can find timetables at dbregio.de and sued-thueringen-bahn.de. There is also a Flixbus stop here. You can find the timetables for the long-distance buses at flixbus.de.From the Zella-Mehlis train station, you first …
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