Ideal for nature lovers
Hiking for explorers
The famous Rennsteig starts here in Eisenach, the Hainich National Park is not far away and the hiking area between Wartburg Castle and Altenstein Landscape Park is one of the most beautiful anywhere. Deep rocky gorges, magnificent wide beech forests and picturesque views awaken the desire to hike at any time of year. The Dragon Gorge in particular is an absolute highlight here, with rare plants, animals, a waterfall and a 250-million-year-old rocky gorge.
Discover the magic & power of nature!
Quality host Wanderbares Deutschland
Our hotel is certified as a Wanderbares Deutschland quality host and is therefore perfectly prepared for hikers and their needs as a hiker-friendly host.
Our plus for hikers at Göbel's Sophien Hotel
• Storage tray for hiking boots on request, cleaning equipment to borrow, shoe shine machine
• Healthy & varied breakfast, regional fresh cuisine with products from the region
• Power packed lunch to take away (for a fee)
• Filling of water bottles, first-aid kit for hikers
• Stay for 1 night possible
• Hire of umbrellas, rucksacks
• Weather information, timetable & regional information
• Pick-up and drop-off service and luggage transport (for a fee)
• Hiking maps for hire or sale, advice on tour selection
• Drying facilities for your clothing & equipment
• Overnight laundry service available
• Subject to availability: shower facilities for late departures
• Finnish sauna, salt room, relaxation room, fitness room
TOP-Tipp:
Hiking recommendation from Sandra Wichmann, deputy hotel manager
Hörselberg hiking trail - ‘legendary’ in the centre of Germany
The Hörselberge are a striking, elongated, cave-rich ridge of shell limestone. The ridge trail from the Kleiner Hörselberg to the Großer Hörselberg stretches for around 12 kilometres. The most famous caves are the Venus Cave and the Tannhäuser Cave, both of which can also be explored in part. The Großer Hörselberg is the myth and legend mountain of Thuringia. According to legend, Mrs Venus lives here and it is home to the Germanic god Wothan and many other legendary figures, including Mrs Holle. From the Hörselberge you can look out over the north-west Thuringian Forest with Wartburg Castle and the Grosser Inselsberg. The Hörselberghaus on the Großer Hörselberg is a mountain inn that welcomes every hiker.
My tip: Take the regional train to Schönau (approx. 10 minutes) and hike 14 km back to Eisenach from the car park between the Hörselberg Museum and the railway station along the hiking trail.
Further tour tips
The Dragon Gorge
Circular hiking trail ‘Schluchtentour bei Eisenach’ - pure nature experience
• Length: 10.5 km
• Duration: approx. 3 hours
• Difficulty: medium
An adventurous hike from Eisenach's Mariental valley through the impressive Landgrafenschlucht gorge, up to the Großer Drachenstein and then to the Hohe Sonne on the Rennsteig. Experience nature literally up close and let the walls come closer to you. In the Drachenschlucht gorge, the narrowest point on the hiking trail is no wider than 70 cm. In the legendary 250-million-year-old gorge, one of Thuringia's most exciting geological monuments south of Eisenach, you can explore one of the most beautiful and spectacular hiking trails. In the narrow gorge, you walk on footbridges over a rushing stream and discover rare plants, mosses, ferns and many animals as well as a small waterfall.
TIP: The tour is particularly exciting and fascinating for children, as there is so much to discover and explore.
Tour on OUTDOORACTIVE - directly on your smartphone: scan the QR code or DIRECTLY HERE >>
The Rennsteig
High trail of the Thuringian and Franconian Forest
• Total length: 169.3 km
• Length of first stage from Eisenach: 15 km - 33 km
• Difficulty: medium
Germany's most famous hiking trail begins in Eisenach, in the district of Hörschel on the Werra. The large Rennsteig ‘R’ on the trees and historical signposts will now accompany you along the border and trade route first mentioned in 1330. Lovely hills and meadows, deep and quiet forests and repeated views of Wartburg Castle make setting off and the hike a pleasure. After 15 km, the route returns to Eisenach at the ‘Hohe Sonne’ or continues through the Thuringian Forest to the Inselsberg, which the hiker reaches after approx. 33 km.
You can then decide for yourself whether to continue the 168 km to Blankenstein.
The beauties of Eisenach
Circular hiking trail for culture enthusiasts and hikers
• Length: approx. 10.5 km
• Duration: approx. 3 hours
• Difficulty: medium
Once there - (almost) everything in. Discover the scenic, cultural and historical highlights around the Wartburg town. A varied and diverse landscape with particularly unique natural monuments awaits you on this tour, e.g. the wild and romantic Dragon Gorge, the Landgrave Gorge or the 11 metre high Elves' Grotto. There is also plenty to discover culturally: Wartburg Castle, the Elisabeth Plan (an unofficial place of pilgrimage), the Sängerwiese meadow, Eisenach Castle and places worth seeing in the city centre such as Luther House, St George's Church, the City Palace and much more.
TIP: A detour to the Metilstein, Eisenach's local mountain, with a marvellous view of the Wartburg, the Inselsberg, the legendary Hörselberge and the entire surrounding area.
EXTRA-TOUR (approx. 4 km, 1.5 hours): Circular hike to the Metilstein >>
Tour on OUTDOORACTIVE - directly on your smartphone: scan the QR code or DIRECTLY HERE >>
The Wartburg adventure tour with Luther adventure trail
A short circular walk to the castle par excellence - Wartburg Castle.
• Length: approx. 6.2 km
• Duration: approx. 2 hours
• Difficulty: difficult
Hike the Luther Adventure Trail up to the legendary castle and reward yourself with marvellous views of the city and the Thuringian Forest. Like something out of a picture book, it towers over Eisenach and bears witness to German history. The hike to the almost thousand-year-old Wartburg begins in the centre of Eisenach at the market square. Impressive there: The historic town hall, town palace with the Thuringian Museum and St George's Church, the church where Johann Sebastian Bach was baptised. Now it's off to the Preachers' Monastery, the first monastery in the world to be built in honour of Saint Elisabeth. The Luther Experience Trail, which begins not far away, ends at the donkey station. The steep but very interesting ascent provides information about the reformer on 15 large panels and takes a look at significant historical events during his lifetime. For the descent, take the path via the Elisabethplan and the Helltal. You will arrive at the Italian-style Reuter-Wagner-Villa in the south of the city.
Tours on OUTDOORACTIVE - directly on your smartphone: scan the QR codes or DIRECTLY HERE:
From the Rennsteig to the historic Wilhelmsthal park and castle complex
Tour tip on the Luther Trail - around the Hohe Sonne on the peaks of the Thuringian Forest
• Length: 10 km
• Duration: approx. 1.5 hours
• Difficulty: medium
Hike through the former ducal hunting grounds and discover historical buildings, hidden curiosities and wonderful places in the middle of the Thuringian countryside. This circular hiking trail will give you an impression of the Thuringian Forest as it was hundreds of years ago. Untouched nature and marvellous landscapes in a multi-layered way that is very rare to find today. You start by following the Luther Trail southwards as far as Lake Altenberg. There you leave the reformer's path and turn eastwards. You then return to your starting point via the peaks of the Thuringian Forest on the Rennsteig.
Tour on OUTDOORACTIVE - directly on your smartphone: scan the QR code or DIRECTLY HERE >>
Our tour tips on OUTDOOR ACTIVE
We are also happy to provide you with further information about beautiful and attractive hiking routes and have maps available for you.
For further questions or information, please contact us by e-mail at info(at)sophienhotel.de or by phone on +49 (0) 3691 251 - 0.
We look forward to hearing from you. Your team from Göbel's Sophien Hotel in Eisenach
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