Hiking on the Rennsteig
The Rennsteig displays several distinctions at the same time: Firstly it can boast of being one of the most beautiful hiking routes in Germany. In addition the Rennsteig is certainly the most famous high hiking trail in the whole of Europe. Add the fact that the Rennsteig has been given the predicate “Qualitätsweg Wanderbares Deutschland” (“Quality German hiking route”). Hike on the Rennsteig and you are hiking on high quality paths which are well known far beyond Germany’s national borders.

The Rennsteig – Europe’s most famous high hiking trail
The course of the Rennsteig leads hikers from the Werra to the Saale.
The Rennsteig trail starts in Eisenach-Hörschel. From here you follow the course of the Rennsteig in a south easterly direction over a length of precisely 169.3 kilometres, until you reach the end of the Rennsteig at the Saale. In the middle of the Rennsteig the popular Thuringian hiking trail leads directly past Oberhof, with hikers walking at heights of between 500 and 900 metres, and at Oberhof there is an opportunity of climbing the Schneekopf, at 978 metres the second highest summit on the Rennsteig, or the Großer Beerberg which is the highest peak on the Rennsteig at 983 metres, if you feel like going so high up.

The Rennsteig song – Thuringia’s secret hymn
The famous Rennsteig song has for a long time competed with the actual Thuringian Land hymn and it would appear that it has now overtaken it by a number of lengths. “I have often walked this trail along the heights, the birds sang their songs, and when I am far away in the world I long only for you, the Thuringian Forest” runs the refrain of the folk song with the character of a hymn. And it is not just on the Rennsteig that people know the Rennsteig song. It is known throughout Thuringia. The song has its origin in the year 1951, when Herbert Roth composed the joyful melody and Karl Mülle wrote the words for it. The very first verse spurs every hiker on to the Rennsteig: “I am so happy to hike along the Rennsteig through the land, my bundle on my back and my guitar in my hand. I am a happy wayfaring man, so carefree, and my song rings out through the bushes and fir trees and everyone loves to hear it”. So this is a happy way to hike and discover nature and the heights around Oberhof on the Rennsteig.

The Pumpälz – Thuringia’s national goblin on the Oberhof Rennsteig
By its very nature, the Rennsteig is the source of many stories about the historical border trail, but there is probably one myth which continues obstinately throughout Thuringia and in the mean time has acquired cult status: that of the Pumpälz, Thuringia’s national goblin. Although he has actually acquired a hiking route of his own in North West Thuringia from Eisenach to Bad Salzungen, the Pumpälz trail, his reputation has naturally also spread as far as the Rennsteig. As goblins have the ability to be everywhere and nowhere at the same time, it is of course not unlikely that the Pumpälz also pays invisible visits to Rennsteig hikers in Oberhof. The goblin is also relatively nice, just a bit lazy. He doesn't like walking and prefers to be carried. And who better to do this than the many hikers around Oberhof? The little goblin – so the saying goes – jumps on hikers’ backs and lets them carry him comfortably from place to place. If he gets bored along the way he distributes the odd light blow on the ear or the back of the neck. So hikers who have been poked or pricked along the way have possibly been sought out personally by the Pumpälz. As the Pumpälz enjoys a very special status in Thuringia, hikers should not get annoyed about it but rather should feel honoured that his highness the King of the goblins has selected them rather than anyone else.

Hiking routes around Oberhof – More than just the Rennsteig
Although with the Rennsteig Oberhof has the most famous of all European high hiking trails right outside its front door, hiking in and around Oberhof does not necessarily have to mean walking along the Rennsteig. Oberhof offers numerous smaller tours, which lead past wonderful beauties of nature and because they are shorter and run on flatter ground are more suited to unpractised hikers. Starting from our hotel, a route on foot lasting twenty to thirty minutes leads to the famous Rennsteiggarten, Oberhof’s well known botanical garden. If you like bizarre rock formations you will enjoy taking a further detour on foot from the Rennsteiggarten car park to the Gebrannter Stein. This path is around three kilometres long, and after the first two kilometres leads nature lovers past a marsh education trail and then finishes at the beautiful fissured rocks. Another very attractive hike leads five kilometres from Oberhof to the Lütschetal dam with a breathtaking view. Oberhof’s Kurpark also invites everyone who can not be bothered with sporty hikes to take longer walks. Oberhof is a paradise for hikers. Whether they are experienced and trained, or just occasional hikers, everyone will find hiking trails here at different levels. But all the hiking routes have one thing in common: Whether they are short or long, with a lot of inclines or relatively flat, the region around Oberhof offers nature wherever the eye looks.