For over 100 years, the Rennsteig has attracted countless people year after year. The high-altitude hiking trail is a unique combination of nature, history and tradition and the rivers Werra and Saale. There is an old tradition relating to this hiking trail: hikers take a stone from the Werra River at the beginning of the trail and throw it back into the water at the Saale River at the end of the hike. The Rennsteig is a ‘Certified Quality Hiking Trail’ in Thuringia. Read more about the quality & premium hiking trails in Germany on our Eurohike HikingBlog.
More facts and details about the Rennsteig at a glance.
Details about the five-day hiking trip on the Rennsteig.
From town of Eisenach, famous for its links to Martin Luther, you'll head to Ruhla-Ascherbrück and via Ebertswiese to Oberhof. The world cultural heritage Wartburg is only one of the historical highlights you will experience on this tour.
Hghlights of the five-day hiking tour along the Rennsteig
Eisenach: In the historical Luther town of Eisenachyou should plan enough time to visit the legendary Wartburg Castle and discover the interesting details throughout the town.
Großer Inselsberg: With an altitude of around 912 metres, this forested mountain is a prominent point in the Thuringian Forest. A steep climb to a stunning view begins there. For over 1,000 years, the Großer Inselberg has marked the historical border between the districts of Gotha and Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
Ruhla: This picturesque mountain town on the northern side of the Thuringian Forest is famous for its traditional clock making. It is also a state-recognised spa town that offers pure relaxation at an altitude of 440 to 530 metres.
Useful information about hiking the Rennsteig
Our five-day hiking trip on the Rennsteig is guaranteed to impress you. This active holiday is falls under our hiking type 'walking'. With some basic fitness, this hiking tour on well-maintained hiking trails will be a wonderful experience. You can find even more suggestions for a short hiking break in Germany here.
More information and varied tour options for hiking holidays in Central Germany.
Short train journey to Hörschel. In accordance with old tradition, this is the trailhead of the Rennsteig trail. The route takes you into the little mountain town of Ruhla, renowned for its historic watch manufacturing tradition. You continue on tranquil paths via the ‚Hohe Sonne’ and reach Ruhla-Ascherbrück. We definitely recommend a detour to the impressive dragon gorge.
Past Ruhlaer Häuschen you walk to mountain Großer Inselsberg, which measures 912 m at his highest point. From there a steep climb is awaiting you, but you will be rewarded with a fabulous view. This popular section leads down to Grenzwiese, Dreiherrenstein and on to Ebertswiese with its mountain meadows and lakes.
You start at 730 m above sea level and walk comfortable across the Rennsteig through the Thuringia Forest, past Krämerrod and Wachsenrasen, and on to the climatic health resort Oberhof. In the near, the Grenzadler, a centuries-old landmark is awaiting you, today it is marking the DKB-skiing arena. The popular winter sports resort is inviting you for relaxation and offers many wellness treatments for tired legs.
approx. 5,5 hours
22 km
300 m
240 m
Day
5
Departure or extension
Characteristics of the route
The level of the hiking tour is easy to medium. You walk mainly on good walking paths and ridgeways, which offer beautiful views as well as in silent and untouched nature. If you are in a good shape the daily tours can be managed without difficulties.
Detailed travel documents 1x per room (German, English)
Service-Hotline
Optional extras:
If half-board: min. 3-course evening meal
Return transfer to Eisenach (min. 2 people), costs per person from Oberhof EUR 99, reservation required, payable locally.
Infos
Arrival / Parking / Departure:
By train to Eisenach and a short walk (approx. 10 minutes) to the hotel.
Frankfurt airport
Car park: limited number of hotel car park, approx. from EUR 7 per day, no reservation required. Free car park near the hotel or public parking garage for approx. EUR 70 per week.
Back to the starting point by train or bus, duration approx. 2 hours from Oberhof.
Things to note:
Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price
Further important information according to the package travel law can be found here!
Die Etappen waren sehr abwechslungsreich, teils anstrengend aber sehr sehr schön! Wir genossen unser aktive Auszeit am Rennsteig sehr und werden diese Tour weiterempfehlen.
JuliaWinklhoferanswered:
Sehr geehrte Frau Thaler, vielen lieben Dank für das nette Reisefeedback! Wir freuen uns sehr zu hören, dass Ihnen die Wanderreise so gut gefallen hat und Sie eine schöne Zeit am Rennsteig verbringen konnten.
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5 stars
Katie B. |15.06.2022
Beautiful and relaxing time at the Rennsteig
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3 stars
Annette H. |28.07.2020
Alles gut geklappt - zu empfehlen!
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5 stars
Maria H. |18.11.2019
Anspruchsvoll aber machbar!
Der Rennsteig ist Landschaftlich sehr schön, die Wege sind sehr gut markiert. Auch die Unterkünfte waren gut bis sehr gut und die Tagesetappen von der Länge und dem Anspruch gut zusammengestellt.
JuliaWinklhoferanswered:
Lieber Wandergast, vielen Dank für Ihr nettes Reisefeedback! Wir sind stehts bemüht sehr gute Unterkünfte für unsere Gäste auszuwählen und freuen uns, dass Sie sich überall wohlfühlen konnten! Schön, dass Sie rund um mit der Organisation der Wanderreise zufrieden waren.
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5 stars
Heinz Oberlach |22.05.2019
Der Rennsteig ist eine Wanderung wert
Unsere Wanderung über die ersten rund 60 Kilometer auf dem schon fast legendären "Rennsteig" war wunderbar! Die Wege sind abwechslungsreich und prima zu begehen, Ausschilderung und Rastplätze sind vorbildlich, Planung, Unterlagen und Betreuung waren wieder top, der Gepäcktransport klappte reibungslos, Unterkünfte und Verpflegung waren insgesamt gut, einzig die Temperaturen waren reichlich zu niedrig - aber dafü kann EUROHIKE ja nix :-)
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5 stars
Maik T. |09.05.2019
Alles Bestens
Alles gut organisiert. Unterkünfte waren bis auf Kleinigkeiten i. O. Wir können die Tour und das Reisebüro nur empfehlen.
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★
5 stars
Ian W. |25.04.2019
Enjoyable walk
Pretty, well signed walk through lovely forest. Very well organised. First class support if any minor glitches occur.
JuliaWinklhoferanswered:
Thank you for your travel feedback, it is most important to us that you enjoy your hiking holiday and hopefully take lots of wonderful memories back home with you.