Activities in Oberhof
Find activities in Oberhof
In the overview: Your activities in Oberhof – The Oberhof holiday region is an ideal place for your active holiday. The Thuringian Forest is within easy reach and offers a number of cultural highlights in addition to relaxation in beautiful nature.
Whether the small jewelled towns of Meiningen, Schmalkalden or Gotha, or the large famous cities such as Erfurt, Weimar or Eisenach with the Wartburg, they are all within easy reach. Combine nature & culture.
Thuringia is the green heart of Germany and you can go on extensive hikes around Oberhof. Or explore the Thuringian Forest by mountain bike.
In winter, cross-country and alpine skiing is a popular pastime on holiday.
New in Oberhof: the golf climbing park. An extraordinary climbing course and the adventure golf course are an activity programme for young and old. Right next door, you can relax after your exertions in the H2Oberhof wellness centre.
Oberhof and the holiday region offer numerous ways to spend your holiday. We are happy to present some of the possibilities here.
For your activities in Oberhof – cheaper holidays with the Oberhof guest card
At the hotel, we also have plenty of other tips for planning your holiday. As part of the visitor’s tax, you will receive the Oberhof guest card on arrival, which automatically entitles you to a range of included services and discounts at the holiday region’s leisure facilities. The Thuringian Forest Card is also linked to your Oberhof Guest Card. This additional advantage card is also valid for the duration of your stay in Oberhof. It contains a host of benefits and excursion tips for your holiday in the Oberhof holiday region. Click here for offers of the Thuringian Forest Card in Oberhof.
Offers – Book a hotel in Oberhof
Hiking holiday in Oberhof
Forest wellness oasis. Slow down & enjoy.
Daily rich breakfast buffet or including gourmet buffet incl. soft drinks in the evening, hiking or mountain biking during the day, use of the sauna in the hotel’s own wellness oasis, parking at the hotel and lots of tips for your holiday in Oberhof and the holiday region. Book & travel individually.
Oberhof wellness time
Treat yourself… Active holidays & relaxation.
from 3 days (2 nights) to 7 days (6 nights)
Including a whole wellness day in the H2Oberhof wellness & adventure pool. Bookable with full breakfast or half board ✿ One day admission to the H2Oberhof with bathrobe & towels ✿ Oberhof guest card with inclusive programme & more.
Activities in Oberhof – for holidays all year round
The H2Oberhof wellness pool is located right next to the Oberhof spa gardens. There is a separate children’s area in the swimming pool section for the little ones – and a challenging slide for the not-so-little ones.
The sauna area has been completely rebuilt and offers pure wellness enjoyment in its eight different saunas.
Carriage & covered wagon rides
A cosy excursion with a horse-drawn carriage. In Oberhof, you can take part in a horse-drawn carriage ride every day. Various tours lead through the town or along the Rennsteig. In summer in a covered wagon and in winter, weather permitting, in an open horse-drawn sleigh. A particularly tranquil experience in the magical winter forest.
Near the famous biathlon stadium, “biathlon shooting for everyone” is offered on several shooting ranges (indoor and outdoor). Here everyone can try out how difficult it is to hit the small targets from 50 metres. For children up to the age of 15, biathlon shooting is offered in a “laser” version. From the age of 16, the original small-calibre biathlon rifle is used. Dates for individual travellers are offered regularly in cooperation with Oberhof Information. Exact dates can be found at www.oberhof.de.
Activities in Oberhof in good and bad weather – something for everyone
Oberhof glass parlour
You will find the Glasstube Oberhof in our immediate neighbourhood.
Let yourself be enchanted by a fantastic material and be whisked away to Christmasland all year round. Glass craftsmanship has a centuries-old tradition in Thuringia. In the Glasstube you can find souvenirs, watch the glassblower at work or try your hand at this delicate craft yourself.
Exotarium Oberhof
Oberhof’s Aqua-Terra-Zoo in the Oberer Hof building covers an area of around 600 square metres. You can marvel at and observe snakes, lizards and fish up close in lovingly designed terrariums and aquariums. Take your time and let the fascinating animals work their magic on you. Have you ever seen a scorpion up close? Or how about a tarantula, eye to eye? The large reticulated phytons live in a 28 m² terrarium. Beetles, frogs, vipers – the Exotarium Oberhof is home to a whole host of exotic creatures. Take a seat in front of the huge aquarium with 30,000 litres of water and let the fish work their magic on you.
Golf climbing park & winter fun park
New in Oberhof, right next to the spa gardens: a special thrill and a wonderful view of the mountains of the Rennsteig region. A unique climbing experience awaits you in the new climbing park on 3 levels, up to 15 metres high and with a total of 75 exercises. The new golf course with 18 holes, designed with great attention to detail, extends around the climbing tower. A 3000 m² theme world that reflects Oberhof with its winter sports and the Rennsteig. From 3 to 99 years. Adventure golf is possible all year round.
The ensemble is complemented by an ice skating rink and curling.
365 days a year, it offers optimum winter conditions for cross-country skiers at -4 degrees.
Almost 2 km of trails and gradients of up to 12 per cent are a challenge even for ambitious athletes. Sport Luck also offers courses for beginners in the cross-country skiing hall.
Bley wood carving workshop
Wood carving has been part of the Thuringian Forest for centuries.
In the Holzstube, right next to the Oberhof Information Centre, you will find special pieces from the region and Christmas artworks made of wood all year round.
Demonstrations on request.
Activities in Oberhof and the Oberhof holiday region in summer
Excursion tips in the holiday region
Zella-Mehlis marine aquarium
A journey through the oceans of the world Discover the wide variety of the world’s oceans at the Zella-Mehlis marine aquarium. Get just a few metres closer to the hunters and hunted of the tropical oceans and waters and marvel at the fantastic colours of an almost different world. Sharks, moray eels and piranhas await your visit, as do the koi carp, which you can even touch in the Zella-Mehlis marine aquarium. The crocodile house, located separately from the marine aquarium, is accessible via a bridge construction. Here you can not only marvel at some of the most dangerous animals in the world, but also watch the crocodiles being fed.
Explorata hands-on world
Marvel, touch, join in – the Explorata hands-on world in Zella-Mehlis will amaze young and old explorers alike at over 80 exciting experiment stations. Here, heads are swapped, shadows are three-coloured and your own reflection is completely different from what you think. And the best thing is, you don’t need to know anything about physics to experience all this.
Hike to the Schneekopf
Climb Thuringia’s highest point – One of the most popular tours is the one from Oberhof to the Schneekopf. The circular hike is around 16.5 kilometres long and can also be shortened by bus. Once you reach the Schneekopf, one of the highlights is the tower, which can be seen from afar. You only have to climb 126 steps to enjoy the view of the Thuringian Forest from the observation tower on the Schneekopf from a height of 23.83 metres, i.e. 1001.11 metres above sea level. Enjoy the ultimate climbing experience. Climb the 1,000 metre mark on the Schneekopf in Thuringia on the outside of the tower and experience the Thuringian Forest from a bird’s eye view. You can indulge in the thrill of heights while secured by a rope and put your skills to the test on various climbing routes. You will be supervised by expert trainers with state-of-the-art safety equipment. Sport makes you hungry – the Neue Gehlberger Hütte, the highest and serviced hut and hiking hostel in Thuringia at 964 metres above sea level, takes care of your physical well-being.
Corkscrew & Metalworking Museum in Steinbach-Hallenberg
The historical corkscrew workshop, nail forge and other exhibition rooms showcase the tradition of ironworking and keep it alive with demonstrations. The life and work of miners, blacksmiths and locksmiths is also brought back to life in the half-timbered ensemble built in 1826.
Drop forge – technical museum
You can see the oldest drop hammers in Germany, weighing 16 tonnes and over 4 metres high. Numerous historical machines are in working order and can be demonstrated.
and beyond that…
Tobiashammer Ohrdruf – Technical Museum
(closed for renovation)
Built more than 500 years ago, the waterwheel-driven forge is one of the most valuable industrial monuments in the region following extensive restoration work. Five large drop hammers, rolling mill, punching mill, grinding mills and annealing furnaces, which are still in working order today, are driven by 4 oversized water wheels. A special attraction is one of the largest steam engines in Europe. The Tobiashammer site is surrounded by a beautiful metal sculpture park.
ELIAS Farbglashütte Lauscha
Christmasmagic all year round Guided tours of the coloured glassworks and large Christmas tree decorations on sale. For creative people: The Farbglashütte Lauscha offers workshops on how to decorate your tree all year round. There is also the opportunity to buy tree decorations at the factory sale price. For the brave: The coloured glassworks also includes a museum of glass art. You can look over the shoulders of the craftsmen and try out the art of glass blowing for yourself.
VIBA Nougat World
A journey into the world of melt-in-the-mouth nougat Nougat makes you happy and is a very special treat! In the exhibition, you accompany the hazelnut on its exciting journey from cultivation to the production of the melt-in-the-mouth delicacy. You can savour the aroma of freshly roasted hazelnuts and try some of Viba’s fine nougat and chocolate products for yourself. An entertaining tour of the exhibition, focussing on the nougat and confectionery factory and the Viba company tradition, is sure to whet your appetite for sweets. Trained tour guides will find the right mix of knowledge, enjoyment and entertainment for every group. The confectionery factory behind glass gives you an insight into the production, decoration and packaging of the finest nougat, marzipan and chocolate products.
Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes – enchanting in the Thuringian Forest
The Saalfeld Fairy Grottoes cast a spell over numerous visitors every year as “Thuringia’s wonder deep in the mountain”. A tour through the “most colourful show caves in the world” provides interesting information about the former mine and the formation of the caves. In the Grottoneum museum, you can let stalactites grow, puzzle together minerals and follow the history of the caves in the cave cinema. Winding paths invite you to discover the world of fairies and nature spirits and take you into the magical realms of the fairy world. Spend a wonderful day in Saalfeld and let yourself be enchanted.
Our tip: Save money with the Oberhof guest card .You can obtain the adventure guide with all the offers from our hotel reception.
Activities in Oberhof during your summer holiday
Oberhof golf climbing park
New in Oberhof, right in the neighbourhood of the Oberhof spa gardens: the unique design offers a suitable challenge for all climbing requirements. A special thrill and a wonderful view of the mountains of the Rennsteig region. Many of the obstacles on the climbing tower have a regional connection. The variety of themes ranges from the popular characters from the children’s channel to popular sports in Thuringia. Matching the nearby world-famous training facilities such as the biathlon arena, bobsleigh and luge track or the ski jump in Kanzlersgrund. From 3 to 99 years.
Oberhof Bike Park
In the bike park in Oberhof, various trails for mountain bikers can be used on the Alpine ski slope in summer.
Different levels of difficulty await downhill riders from May to October. The bike park was completely redesigned and expanded in summer 2020.
Adventure golf
The new 18-hole golf course, designed with great attention to detail, extends around the climbing tower at the golf climbing park.
A 3,000 m² themed world whose courses reflect the Oberhof region with its winter sports and Rennsteig. Both adults and children will have fun here.
The Thuringian low mountain range offers a great opportunity to get in the saddle and enjoy a few days on a bike with friends, acquaintances or like-minded people on a group tour.
For some years now, there has been a cycle route that closely follows the traditional hiking route of the Rennsteig. To avoid steep inclines and rough terrain, the cycle route deviates from the original from time to time, but retains the general alignment. The Rennsteig cycle path is supplemented by an extensive network of single trails and signposted cycle tours throughout the Thuringian Forest.
Oberhof is a hiker’s paradise. Countless hiking trails lead through the Thuringian Forest. From babies to grandaddies, there is a perfect hike for everyone.
A circular hiking trail of around 8 kilometres has been created around Oberhof – the Avenue of Olympic and World Champions. If you follow this route, you will also hike along the famous Oberhof sports venues. Guided hikes are offered regularly at the Oberhof Information Centre.
Advantage with the Oberhof guest card
Guided hikes with a local hiking guide. Current dates and details can be found in the Oberhof daily post, on the breakfast table in the morning.
Rennsteiggarten
The Rennsteiggarten is a botanical garden specialising in mountain flora from all over the world. On a huge area of 70,000 square metres, around 4,000 different species of mountain plants open up to visitors at an altitude of almost 870 metres on the Pfanntalskopf. A journey around the world in the Rennsteiggarten Join plant lovers from all over Germany. Immerse yourself in the flora of the local low mountain ranges such as the Thuringian Forest, Harz, Hunsrück and Eifel or marvel at the rich flora of the Alps. And much more.
Open May to October
Activities in Oberhof during your winter holiday
Cross-country skiing in the Thuringian Forest
The Thuringian Forest is an Eldorado for cross-country skiers. Numerous trails start in Oberhof. Around the biathlon stadium, guests can also use the “roller tracks” – the training tracks for top athletes. These are also floodlit and can therefore be used for longer during the day. Perfectly groomed – The cross-country ski trails are groomed daily in winter. The Oberhof snow report informs you daily which trails can be used and in what condition. Read more: Oberhof snow report
Winter hiking around Oberhof
Sooo marvellous. A hike through the crunching snow, you can hear the crunching in the forest, the rare call of the odd crow and nothing else. The air smells clear and pure, like fresh snow. A calming blanket has settled over the world.
Advantage with the Oberhof guest card
Guided hikes with a local hiking guide. Current dates and details can be found in the Oberhof daily post, on the breakfast table in the morning.
Alpine skiing on the Fallbach slope
The popular ski area for families is only around 2 kilometres from our hotel. The 800 metre long ski slope on the Fallbach lift offers alpine ski enthusiasts and beginners the opportunity to practice their alpine sport in the Thuringian Forest. With the Oberhof guest card, you can travel for free on the city bus and leave your car at the hotel. Opening hours and prices: always up-to-date at www.snowpark-oberhof.de.
Activities in Oberhof for the whole family
Winterfunpark Oberhof
The Winterfunpark Oberhof offers an ideal setting for lots of fun in the centre of Oberhof during the cold season.
A 200 m² covered synthetic ice skating rink with skate hire, two 10 metre curling rinks, 3000 m² of WinterAdventureGolf and a cosy, atmospheric Christmas and winter ambience are great fun.
Delicious hot drinks and nice snacks round off the setting. Special, exclusive offers are available for groups.
Snowshoe tours & torchlight hikes Oberhof
With snowshoes under your feet, you hike through the marvellous untouched winter landscape. You will receive the equipment and an introduction to the handling. Your experienced hiking guide will lead you safely through the unspoilt terrain. You can book the three-hour snowshoe tour to Forsthaus Sattelbach or a 90-minute version with torches at dusk.
Romantic torchlight hike
This is the most popular hike in winter. The snow crunches romantically under your feet, the silhouette of the forest is dressed in an enchanting white and you walk through the forests of Oberhof by torchlight with a knowledgeable guide. Both offers are also available with the Oberhof guest card.
Ski courses for beginners & advanced skiers
A winter holiday is the ideal time to start a ski course. Oberhof offers ski courses for cross-country skiing, alpine skiing and snowboarding. From the children’s ski school, complete beginners or even beyond. Take the opportunity to learn how to ski properly. More safety right from the start.
Your ski instructor will teach you how to move without risking injury. Etiquette is also very important: what to look out for on the cross-country ski trail or on the piste so as not to endanger yourself or other skiers.
The Oberhof holiday region welcomes you warmly! The small town in the middle of the Thuringian Forest and its surroundings have a lot to offer – for active and cultural holidaymakers, but also for wellness holidaymakers.
Active holidays in the Oberhof holiday region
A holiday in the Oberhof holiday region is particularly attractive due to the wide range of sports on offer. In winter, hundreds of kilometres of groomed trails through the beautiful Thuringian Forest invite you to go cross-country skiing and several downhill slopes offer good opportunities for alpine skiing and snowboarding. You can of course also learn these sports in various ski courses under good professional supervision. The surrounding winter forests can also be explored on guided snowshoe tours and winter Nordic walking. Tobogganing fun in the snow for young and old is offered by other toboggan runs in the surrounding area.
Sports facilities in Oberhof
There are also numerous opportunities to be active in summer. The famous Rennsteig high-altitude trail and many other hiking and cycling trails invite you to go hiking, Nordic walking and cycling. You can also try your hand at climbing in the Oberhof golf climbing park and other climbing parks in the region. Furthermore, the construction of the LOTTO-Thüringen-Skisport-Halle has made it possible to practise cross-country skiing all year round, even in summer, and you will certainly have the opportunity to watch the local top athletes training on the ski jumps, in the LOTTO-Thüringen-Skiarena or on the luge and bobsleigh track. Winter sports highlights in Oberhof include the annual Biathlon and Luge World Cup and the 2023 World Championships.
Relaxing holidays in the Oberhof holiday region
If you prefer a quieter holiday, the Oberhof holiday region is also the right place for you. Enjoy romantic horse-drawn sleigh rides in winter and horse-drawn carriage rides through the beautiful countryside in summer. Other guided tours are also offered as part of the Oberhof Card. There are so many ways to discover the Oberhof holiday region. A holiday in the Oberhof holiday region is also a good choice for those seeking relaxation and wellness. The H2Oberhof wellness centre invites you to swim and take a sauna.
Family holidays in the Oberhof holiday region
Also worth seeing in Oberhof are the Exotarium, which presents various reptiles and other exotic animals, and the Rennsteiggarten. Cosy restaurants and cafés invite you to enjoy and linger. Holiday programmes and holiday fun for children are offered at the Haus des Gastes. For example, biathlon laser shooting is regularly organised for children.
Leisure activities in the holiday region
There are many more sights to discover in the holiday region around Oberhof and a wide range of leisure activities on offer. The town of Zella-Mehlis is home to the sea aquarium adventure park, several exhibitions and museums and the “Explorata hands-on world”. You can also enjoy a refreshing dip in the outdoor pool in summer. The small town of Steinbach-Hallenberg and the two villages of Oberschönau and Unterschönau in the beautiful Hasel Valley also look forward to your visit. The “Hallenburg” ruins, a metal craft museum, a game reserve and some unique freestanding rocks that invite you to marvel and climb are all worth a visit, while the village of Luisenthal is located right next to the picturesque Ohratal dam. Here you can visit the “Käfernburg” castle ruins and a brewery museum, for example, and not far from Luisenthal is Crawinkel with its old millstone carving museum. For the adventurous and those with a head for heights, there is the possibility of hang-gliding and paragliding, and very close to the mountain village of Gehlberg is the “Schneekopf” mountain with its great views. A visit to the glass-making museum in Gehlberg is also well worthwhile. Other cultural events and festivals round off the offer in one of Thuringia’s most popular holiday regions.
Hotel in Oberhof
The three-star Hotel Thüringenschanze is the ideal starting point for your holiday in the holiday region. Stay in a cosy and central location at the hotel in Oberhof, which was renovated in 2021. The hotel rooms are approx. 22 m² in size and offer you plenty of space to relax with cosy large double beds. There is a sauna in the hotel, which you can use daily from 15:00. At mealtimes, a generous buffet tempts you to feast and savour.
For your overnight stay at the hotel in Oberhof
At the Hotel Thüringenschanze Oberhof, you can book your holiday with daily rates. These depend on the day of booking, the day of arrival and the duration of your holiday. You can find the exact price and favourable offers directly in the price calculator under Search and book.
