In 2015, a former radio relay tower on the 916 m-high Inselsberg was transformed into the 21 m-high Adventure Tower. From the GroĂźer Inselsberg, the 360-degree view extends across a very large part of the Thuringian Forest. If you would like to include a striking viewpoint in your travel plans, this is a specific destination with a remarkable history.
Exploring the Nature Park Trail
The Nature Park Trail begins at the Nature Park Gate in the centre of Bad Tabarz. It follows well-maintained paths in a series of gentle ascents and descents around the spa town. Along the way, the route passes the Datenberg Promenade and the rhododendron garden, then the high ropes course and the ski jump, before reaching Seifartswiese. The sequence of stops gives the trail a clear route; when planning your own visit, it is worth checking your preferred section and the trail conditions in advance, as these may change.
Admission to the Bad Tabarz Rhododendron Garden is free. Check the local visiting conditions before your visit. This lets you plan a visit to the garden as a separate activity or as part of the Nature Park Trail, without assuming any particular opening hours.
Climbing area and swimming facilities
The climbing area in Lauchagrund, near Bad Tabarz, is close to the destination. It comprises 26 crags and more than 260 climbing routes graded from 2 to 9. These figures give an overview of the size of the area and the stated range of route grades. The climbing area is therefore a separate option for travellers who would like to include climbing in their plans alongside the Nature Park Trail.
The TABBS sports and health swimming complex in Bad Tabarz offers a different kind of activity. Its facilities include a leisure pool with an outdoor pool, a four-lane sports pool and a children’s area. There is also an outdoor pool with a large sunbathing lawn, a sauna complex, and a Kneipp and natural health centre. The different areas offer a range of activities, from swimming to sauna and Kneipp facilities. Individual areas may be subject to operational changes, so check the latest operating details before planning a specific visit.
Tabarz Pipe Makers
During a guided tour of the pipe-making workshop on the Inselsberg, Peter Filß demonstrates the steps from raw wood to the shape of a pipe and explains special techniques used to make the unique pipe from Bad Tabarz. This insight into the craft draws on a century-old Tabarz tradition: around 1900, pipes were made at several workshops in Tabarz. Today’s demonstration thus connects with the history of local craftsmanship. Visitors interested in culture and manufacturing will find a different perspective on the town here than in its nature and swimming facilities.
Getting to Bad Tabarz and finding hotels
From Gotha, travellers can reach Bad Tabarz on the ThĂĽringer Waldbahn, Line 4, to the Bad Tabarz stop; the journey takes about an hour. Check the current timetable before departure, as the journey information does not include specific departure times.
Discover more destinations: Aspach, Schwabhausen, Dachwig, Luisenthal, Friedrichswerth, Bienstädt, Finsterbergen, Gamstädt.
See the overview of destinations: Gotha.
