ヴァクドルフの天然記念物・トップ20

Very nice signpost with rest area.

Everything suggests that the old and early, arduous ascents of the high-altitude trails from the Werra Valley ended here; oxen, mules and horses were changed here before heading back downhill to Suhl and then conquering the Rennsteig via the Suhler Leube. For the descent of the further route to Suhl, the long ridge of the Steingebössel and then the Friedberg were used to reach the Haselfurt on the Kunigundenhügel. On the Pfütschberg, it came across a field site called "Eiserne Hand" for the second time, where farm buildings belonging to Neundorf farmers stood until the first half of the 20th century. Source: https://fraenkischesthueringen.blogspot.com/2020/06/die-eiserne-hand-eine-ausspanne-von.html?m=1

The Iron Hand near Altendammbach Near the Altendambacher Höhe, where the country road, forest and hiking trails meet, hikers or mountain bikers on their way towards Fischbach-Schleusingen pass a multi-armed signpost on which a hand cast from iron points to the sky on a narrow concrete base. Another signpost? A monument? There is hardly a long-time resident in the surrounding villages who does not know the "Iron Hand" and the forest area up there that is called that and has certainly heard some stories about it; but no one can really explain what this mysterious place and its not exactly everyday feature is all about. - And so there are always inquiries about it. Source: https://fraenkischesthueringen.blogspot.com/2020/06/die-eiserne-hand-eine-ausspanne-von.html?m=1

Great view of the flight school at the Dolmar pilot project.

Below the steep edge of the cliff, a huge sea of rocks beckons, with large chunks of rock that give little indication of the force that came from the rock fall. A legend that is described in full very close to the former Villa Iltenburg tells of another rock fall in 1137. There is no clear evidence of this, but it seems likely. According to the legend, there was once a place called Dörfles, which was inhabited by gypsies or Wends, who were not tolerated in Themar, but were important during the market or for entertainment. Just as the Veßra monastery was founded, a monk set out to visit them, but they threatened him and chased him away. He cursed the inhabitants and wished that the mountain would fall on them as a punishment from God. Only one 16-year-old girl showed interest in his teachings. He met with her regularly outside of the town. He begged her to leave the place, because after every winter, new cracks appeared in the rock. After two years, it finally happened and the mountain broke off one night. When the residents of Themar left the next morning, the village of Dörfles had disappeared and all the residents had perished.

In 1595, a large rock collapse occurred here, causing the entire mountainside to collapse into the valley! Since then, the gleaming, white limestone marl cliff has reflected the sun. There is only one path down the mountainside. As it is very narrow, a little attention is required here. The path is still quite steep at the top, but is secured with a railing. It is also worth mentioning that feral goats live here, which can sometimes block your path. This can lead to the odd surprise or chase.

Sternplatz is a large crossroads with some stone signs

A nice place to stay 😇