Gehren offers several starting points for planning a trip: local history connected with Johann Michael Bach and the castle ruins, routes for cycling and hiking, and the Heideteich recreation area. If you are looking for a holiday apartment for your stay, you can first consider whether cultural history, outdoor activity or recreation should be your main focus.
Church History and Castle Ruins
The predecessor of today’s St. Michael’s town church is associated with Johann Michael Bach. He worked there as an organist, composer, musical instrument maker and town clerk. A decision was made to build a new church on the site of a church believed to have been built before 1475. In Gehren, Bach’s varied work and the history of the church site thus come together.
Another historical point of interest is the ruin of the former hunting lodge of the Princes of Schwarzburg. The hunting lodge served as their residence; the ruin and its castle park are now a tourist attraction. Gehren is therefore home to a range of historical themes: its connection to Bach and the church, as well as the history of the princely residence.
Cycling and Hiking Routes in Gehren
The Ilm-Rennsteig cycle path passes the castle ruins on its way to Gehren. From there, it follows a former railway line, converted into a cycle route, uphill towards the Rennsteig. Check local conditions before setting out. The former railway line and the climb give this section of the cycle route a distinctive character.
Gehren also has well-signposted cycling and hiking routes with notable tourist destinations along the way. A section of the Waldrandroute Nord also passes through the town: the fourth stage runs from Ilmenau to Saalfeld. This gives you two different reference points for planning: the specific stretch of cycle route by the castle ruins and a named route section through Gehren.
Heideteich and Playgrounds
The Heideteich recreation area is particularly suitable for families with children. The municipal area includes several landscaped playgrounds. These recreational options complement the historical sites and routes with a separate focus for trip planning.
Ilmenau as Additional Regional Context
The wider destination of Ilmenau offers its own landscape and cultural attractions. Kickelhahn, Ilmenau’s local mountain, is 861 metres high; its 21-metre-high observation tower is one of the town’s landmarks. At the Lindenberg Trail Park, three different trails invite you to go mountain biking. Check current local information before setting out.
The 20-kilometre Goethewanderweg links places associated with Goethe, running from Ilmenau to StĂĽtzerbach. For winter activities, numerous ski and winter hiking trails run from Ilmenau to the Rennsteig and from Auerhahn to Kickelhahn. Snow, trail conditions and actual availability may vary.
Cultural sites are also part of the Ilmenau area: the Münzkeller is right next to the Alte Münze and offers a glimpse into the 16th century. The Bergmannskapelle is on Sturmheide, in the middle of the former Ilmenau copper and silver mining district, below the spoil heap of the former “Gottes Gabe” mine shaft. It houses an exhibition on Ilmenau’s copper shale mining.
Discover more destinations: Herschdorf, Pennewitz, Wipfratal, Gehlberg, Geschwenda, Altenfeld, Kirchheim, BĂĽcheloh.
Back to the wider travel overview: Ilm-Kreis.
