Hiking in and around Oberhof
Oberhof, located directly on the Rennsteig, is one of the most beautiful hiking regions in Germany. In summer and in the winter season, many nature lovers come here to enjoy the landscape to the full on foot.
Hiking tours for all levels of difficulty & Nordic walking fans
You can hike around Oberhof as a beginner as well as an experienced and enduring hiker. The activity levels range from easy tours for beginners to more challenging trails for advanced hikers and will take you to the highest points of the Rennsteig if you are an experienced, active hiker. There are also selected routes for Nordic walking fans. Here you can actively walk your kilometres and strengthen your body holistically. You will experience the beauty of the Thuringian landscape.
Our hiking tips
Oberhof and the entire holiday region around the Rennsteig are a true hiking paradise. Hundreds of wonderful hiking kilometres await you. You can choose between mystical trails in dense pine forests, uphill or downhill, circular routes along tranquil lakes or hiking on the peaks with views far into the countryside. We recommend our three classics for you to hike on your own. Or you can join a guided hike. The Oberhof Information Centre regularly offers various guided hiking tours as part of the Ober hof Guest Card. You can find all the detailed information in your Oberhof Guest Card experience guide.
Hike 1
Herrenweg - Wegscheide
Length: approx. 8.5 km | Start/Finish: Hotel Thüringenschanze
Leave the hotel on the left and keep left until you reach the end of the village. At the “Nordknoten” junction, head in the direction of Wegscheide on the Herrenweg.
This is a pleasantly easy hike with no great differences in altitude. Also suitable for families. Enjoy the scent of the pine forest and listen to the locals along the way.
Followthe signs for “Wegscheide”. This is a restaurant that offers delicious Thuringian bratwurst and Rostbrätl every day from 11.00 am. Before the restaurant, the path on the left leads back to Oberhof.
Hike 2
Sports centre hike
Length: approx. 8 km | Start/Finish: Hotel Thüringenschanze
Leave the hotel to the right in the direction of the Haus des Gastes. Cross the road at Oberer Hof in the direction of the town square. Keep right here and walk past the building in the direction of the Obereschweizerhütte. Turn left in front of the restaurant and you have reached the destination of the racing sledge run . Follow the track uphill to the start, from here turn right to visit the LOTTO-Thüringen-Skisport-HALLE. Then continue to the right to visit the biathlon stadium, the LOTTO-Thüringen-Ski-ARENA. (Attention: Please note current information on construction work at the sports facilities).
You come out of the stadium, cross the road and see the Schanzenbaude in front of you, which you leave on your left and follow the path to the take-off of the large Rennsteigschanze Kanzlersgrund. With the ski jump behind you, continue to the Veilchenbrunnen fountain. From here, you can follow the path right next to the former restaurant via the “Rondell” back to Oberhof, or you can take a detour from here to the “Gebrannten Stein“.
Hike 3
Schmücke - Schneekopf - Forsthaus Sattelbach - Rennsteiggarten
Length: approx. 17 km to 20 km | Start/Finish: Hotel Thüringenschanze
At the hotel, turn right towards Oberhof Information, Stadtplatz, along the Kurpark into Zellaer Straße (towards the town hall). Walk along Zellaer Straße until you reach Pension Haus Saarland, where you turn right towards“Alte Golfwiese“. Continue along the old golf meadow until behind the AWO-Sano holiday centre, then turn left towards Schneekopf, Forsthaus Sattelbach. Follow this path until you reach Forsthaus Sattelbach. There you have the opportunity to stop and take a break. (Wednesday & Thursday closed). At Forsthaus Sattelbach, turn left towards Gehlberg. At Gehlberg railway station, continue uphill to the Schneekopf. There you have well and truly earned a rest in the Neue Gehlberger Hütte. Here on the Schneekopf, you are at the height of the viewing tower at an altitude of 1000 metres.
Now head back in the direction of Schmücke. Leave the Schmücke inn on your left and walk along the Rennsteig towards Oberhof. Back on the Rennsteig – turn right towards Oberhof, please note the sign for Forsthaus Sattelbach on the right-hand side. From Forsthaus Sattelbach, walk through the forest towards the Rennsteiggarten with Café Enzian. The Rennsteiggarten is a botanical garden with interesting high mountain flora. From here, there is a direct route back to Oberhof past the AWO-Sano-Haus or you can cross the bridge at the Rondell, continue along the Rennsteig to Stein 16 and then turn right to Oberhof.
“Avenue of Olympic and world champions” circular trail
The themed hiking trailin Oberhof takes you once around the town. If you want to, you can hike the entire loop; the path is partly gravelled and partly natural. Along the way, you will get to know the Oberhof sports stars. The trail can also be divided into individual sections. Access routes from other hiking trails cross the circular route again and again.
Thenext access point from the Hotel Thüringenschanze is on the Schlossberg.
Leave the hotel on the left and at the end of the road you will find the entrance to the forest adventure trail on the Schlossberg a little to the right across the road. Now you can start your walk on the right or left.
Hike to the Schlossbergkanzel
Start and end your relaxed circular hike directly at the hotel. Start in front of the hotel on the left towards the end of the village and follow the signs towards Lütschetalsperre. The tour offers a break with a breathtaking view of the Lütschestausee reservoir. Take your time to hike, linger and enjoy. This tour is ideal for a perfect half-day excursion.
Hike to the Sattelbach forester’s lodge
Experience a varied hiking trail through the enchanting Thuringian Forest. This idyllic hiking trail is perfect for family outings, including those with young children or senior citizens. There are no steep climbs on this picturesque hiking trail, and occasionally the path runs gently through a densely overgrown high forest of spruce trees.
Warm hosts await you at Forsthaus Sattelbach, serving delicious Thuringian dishes and homemade cakes. With a bit of luck, you can even watch the majestic red deer of our forest from the dining room while they are being fed.
Another section of the hiking trail takes you along the original Rennsteig trail. Simply follow the “R” that marks this historic path.
Get to know the forest via selected nature trails
Forest nature trails not only lead you through breathtakingly beautiful forest landscapes. They also bring you closer to nature. Information boards tell you lots of interesting facts about the flora and fauna you are walking through. A forest nature trail is a great experience, especially for children. The nature discovery trail in particular offers families an adventurous journey through the forest. Get to know the plants of the forest, meet fire salamanders or find unusual rocks. The moorland nature trail leads you to all the rare grasses of the typical moorland landscape. Here you can combine walks and hikes with interesting facts.
Schützenbergmoor bei Oberhof
Accessibility – hiking without restrictions
Whether you are a person with limited mobility or a parent with a pushchair, you can enjoy Oberhof and the Rennsteig on the barrier-free circular routes. You will experience beautiful viewpoints and enchanting places to take a break.
There is no “either … or” here, only “and”. You can hike and enjoy nature without restrictions.
