Our Aparthotel sits right by the Rennsteig at an altitude of 815 metres, making it the ideal starting point and base for anyone who wants to discover the region around Oberhof on foot.

The stunning beauty of this region is best appreciated from the distinctive heights of the fabled Rennsteig ridge trail. Thuringia’s oldest and best-known high-altitude trail leads you through the Thuringian Forest nature park, picturesquely framed for the most part by dense spruce forests. And once you’re here, you should also pay a visit to the Vessertal–Thuringian Forest biosphere reserve or follow one of the hiking routes we recommend below. To make sure you never lose your bearings, we will also gladly organise an unforgettable weekend for you, full of variety and memorable experiences. Just take a look at our package deals.

Take a hike with us

Come hiking with us and enjoy the largely unspoiled nature of the nature park. We have taken the following tour suggestions from the book “Regionalführer Oberhof: Geschichte, Landschaft, Tipps, Wanderungen” (publisher: grünes herz, author: Wolfgang Fritzsche) – let them serve as inspiration.

The Ring Route around Oberhof / 9 km

From the Aparthotel towards the bus station. In the town centre, continue to the old Ohrdrufer Straße towards the Obere Schweizer Hütte. Here, turn right onto the Ring Route, which we follow clockwise. Past the Katzenteich pond to the ski jumps at the Wadeberg, where training jumps still take place regularly. Passing a wildlife feeding station, you reach the old toboggan run. At the top, turn left into Crawinkler Straße as far as the northern junction of the B247. Below the forest cemetery, cross the road leading to the Hotel Panorama and take a path parallel to the B247. After crossing the B247 (underpass) and passing an old quarry, you reach a trail leading into the Stieglitztal valley, with a wonderful view across the valley to the Eckardtskopf. Through the Kehltal valley, the hillside path ends at a road leading to Gräfenroda. First head right and uphill, then turn left towards the allotment gardens. Passing through the Harzwald forest, the Ring Route reaches the southern edge of town. Past the Sporthotel, turn right and walk down Tambacher Straße. When you reach the Pirschweg path, turn right and you’ll be heading back towards Oberhof.

Summit tour of the Großer Beerberg and Schneekopf

From the Aparthotel via Zellaer Straße to the AWO Sano. Passing the golf meadow, you reach the high-altitude trail. Following the Rennsteig towards Schmücke, the path leads to the Suhler Ausspanne, the Großer Beerberg and the Plänckners Aussicht viewpoint. Continuing along the Rennsteig, you reach the Schneekopf, the highest accessible point in the Thuringian Forest. Hike back to the Gehlberg junction (return by train possible, or back to Schmücke and return with Rennsteig bus line 421).

To the luge track and the ski jumps at the Wadeberg / 5 km

From the town centre, head along Tambacher Straße towards Schmalkalden. At the last house on the right you’ll find the Bobhaus. The bobsleigh run leads to the Untere Schweizer Hütte. After 15 minutes you reach the start of the artificially iced luge track; the path leads directly to the finish house. After about 100 m you reach Ohrdrufer Straße with the Obere Schweizer Hütte. On a sharp left-hand bend, a footpath leads to the outruns of the ski jumps. The ascent is via the stairs at the Jugendschanze jump. At the Obere Schweizer Hütte, the road climbs back up to Oberhof.

To the jumps on the Rennsteig and the Kanzlersgrund / 9 km

From the Aparthotel towards the town centre, past the bus stop at the Schützenberg towards the Sporthotel. This is where the hiking trails begin, past the sports school (Sportgymnasium) to the Schanzenbaude. The path continues through the Kanzlersgrund along the Hasel stream, directly to the jump platforms. Continuing left along the Hasel, you reach the “Kanzlersgrund” inn – a request stop for the bus back to Oberhof. From the inn, follow the Kohlbachsgrund past the Jägerhausberg and the small Falkenstein up to the Rennsteig. On the Rennsteig, turn right and head back via the Schanzenbaude to Oberhof.

The Oberhof sports facilities trail / 12 km

Start at the Aparthotel and head for the town centre. Follow Crawinkler Straße for about 200 m, then turn left towards the Jugendschanze ski jump. Follow the signs of the historic sports facilities trail. You will pass along the old Wadeberg bobsleigh run; there, turn left and head uphill along the old Ohrdrufer Straße to the luge and bobsleigh track. On Tambacher Straße, turn right and pass the alpine ski slope up to the Grenzadler. Here you can visit the biathlon arena, then head back to the Grenzadler. Cross the road and continue towards the Schanzenbaude, then turn right and follow the Rennsteig until a junction on the left points towards Oberhof. Head back past the sports school.

Over the Jagdstein to the Forsthaus Sattelbach / 8 km

From the Aparthotel towards the Südkreuz; at the petrol station turn right to the underpass. Walk along Kehlstraße towards Gräfenroda. At the allotment gardens, leave the road to the right. The view opens northwards into the Kehltal valley to the prominent Eckardtskopf. After about 3 km, a signpost shows the way to the recumbent Jagdstein monument. Back at the signpost, head north-west and you will catch sight of the Schneekopf and the Großer Beerberg. On a gentle descent, cross the valley of the Schnabelbach. After a short climb you reach the Forsthaus Sattelbach (a country inn, closed Wednesdays). Return to Oberhof via the Rennsteig and the Rondell.

From Oberhof to the Ohratalsperre reservoir / 15 km

Start towards the town centre, then continue along Crawinkler Straße to the northern junction. From here, walk along the Herrenweg to the Wegscheide. At the left-hand junction, head towards the Triefsteingraben. At the fork, keep right around the Ohratalsperre reservoir to the dam wall. Close by you’ll find a rest stop (Kiosk Luisenthal); continue towards the bus stop and return with the Gotha–Oberhof bus line.

From the Bärenstein to the Suhler Ausspanne / 11 km

From the Aparthotel via Zellaer Straße; at the junction with Waldstraße head towards the Rondell, then continue over the pedestrian bridge. A visit to the Rennsteig Garden here is well worth it (open April to October). Continue right towards the Bärenstein, straight on to the Flößgraben, then left and uphill to the Suhler Ausspanne – a request stop on Rennsteig bus line 421. Return to Oberhof along the high-altitude Rennsteig trail.