Thuringian Forest

Best things to do in Thuringian Forest

Thuringian Forest Must-Sees

The Thuringian Forest features a diverse collection of historical and natural sites, including the ruins of Hallenburg and Burg Ilmenau. This selection highlights the region's industrial heritage at the Suhl Arms Museum and the historic Compiègne Wagon. Natural landmarks include the 58-meter Trusetaler Wasserfall and the Kickelhahn mountain. The list also covers architectural sites like the Baroque St. Mary’s Church and the mini-a-thür miniature park, alongside the famous Rennsteig hiking route and its high-altitude railway station.

Thuringian Forest Must-Sees — Map

TCY / CC BY-SA 3.0

A

Compiègne Wagon

The Compiègne Wagon was the train carriage in which both the Armistice of 11 November 1918 and Armistice of 22 June 1940 were signed.

TCY / CC BY-SA 3.0

B

Compiègne Wagon

The Compiègne Wagon was the train carriage in which both the Armistice of 11 November 1918 and Armistice of 22 June 1940 were signed.

C

Schloss Gehren

Ruins of a former Renaissance castle and hunting lodge once belonging to the Princes of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen.

D

Alter Kurpark

Historic spa park in Ilmenau, established in the 19th century as part of the town's development as a health resort.

E

Burg Ilmenau

Archaeological remains of a medieval moated castle in the center of Ilmenau, largely destroyed by fire in 1752.

F

Vogteihaus

Historic administrative building and heritage site representing regional architecture.

G

Heckenturm

Observation tower providing panoramic views across the Thuringian Forest and the Rhön mountains.

H

Goethehäuschen

A reconstruction of the wooden mountain hut where Johann Wolfgang von Goethe wrote his famous poem "Wanderer's Night Song II" in 1780.

Jonathan Haas / CC-BY-SA-3.0

I

Hauptkirche St. Marien

Suhl's oldest church, built between 1487 and 1491, featuring a significant Baroque interior from its 18th-century reconstruction.

Steffen Löwe / CC BY-SA 3.0

J

Waffenmuseum Suhl

Museum housed in the historic Malzhaus, documenting over 600 years of local firearms manufacturing and technical development.

K

Trusetaler Wasserfall

An artificial waterfall created in 1865, cascading 58 meters over volcanic rock formations.

Jc silver / CC BY 3.0

L

Hallenburg

Ruins of a 13th-century hilltop castle featuring a 30-meter-high keep overlooking Steinbach-Hallenberg.

CTHOE / CC BY-SA 3.0

M

Schloss Marksuhl

A 16th-century Renaissance castle built for Duke Johann Ernst of Saxe-Eisenach in the center of Marksuhl.

Metilsteiner / CC BY 3.0

N

Burg Winterstein

Remnants of a medieval spur castle, including the ruins of the residential tower.

O

Suhl

A central city in the Thuringian Forest known for its long tradition of weapons manufacturing and historic architecture.

Bølle / CC BY-SA 3.0

P

mini-a-thür

Open-air park in Ruhla featuring more than 100 handcrafted 1:25 scale models of famous Thuringian landmarks.

Daniel Beyer / CC-BY-SA-3.0

Q

Kickelhahn

Kickelhahn is a mountain in the northern edge of the Central Thuringian Forest in the municipal area of Ilmenau, Germany.

R

Rathaus

The city's historic red town hall, a protected monument located on the central market square.

Metilsteiner / CC-BY-SA-3.0

S

Kirche Hörschel

An evangelical-lutheran church in Eisenach, situated at the traditional starting point of the Rennsteig hiking trail.

Presse03 / CC BY-SA 3.0

T

Rennsteig

A historic railway station located at the highest point of the Rennsteig pass, serving the region's famous long-distance trail.

Other Lists

Thuringian Forest Peaks & Vistas Thuringian Forest Castles & Ruins Thuringian Forest Churches Thuringian Forest Culinary Delights Thuringian Forest Hideaways