Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig is located right in the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve. Several specific highlights are available to help you plan: Route 3, “Schwarzwasser Picnic Area,” is a 7.7 km circular route, there is a floodlit ski lift on Großer Eisenberg, and the town has an interactive experience exhibition. Schmiedefeld is also the destination of a 17 km hiking and Nordic walking tour organized by the Rennsteiglauf. If you are looking for a hotel, this selection can help you decide what to focus on during your stay: the hiking route, ski lift or exhibition. The listed route lengths make it easy to compare them directly; cultural and scientific attractions in Suhl provide a broader perspective on the destination as a whole.
Hiking with specific route measurements
Route 3, “Schwarzwasser Picnic Area,” runs from the tourist information office via Heimig, Rennsteig Station (“Platform 1”), Allzunah, the Rennsteig and Schwarzwasser, returning to the tourist information office via Frauenwalder Straße. The circular route is 7.7 km long; the figures also include a 112 m difference in elevation and 170 m total ascent. The 17 km hiking and Nordic walking tour organized by the Rennsteiglauf, which finishes in Schmiedefeld, is on a different scale: it is more than twice as long as Route 3. The route lengths make it easy to choose between the shorter circuit and the longer tour. Route measurements may be revised; if they are important to your plans, check them in advance.
Ski lift and experience exhibition
The ski lift on GroĂźer Eisenberg is floodlit, 800 m long and climbs 120 m. As operating status and conditions can change, check that it is currently operating before your visit.
Another attraction in town is the interactive experience exhibition. If you would like to include it in your plans, check with the operator for current visiting options. Together with the hiking route and ski lift, it offers another specific highlight to consider when choosing your activities.
More cultural and scientific attractions in the wider destination of Suhl
The wider destination of Suhl offers its own cultural and scientific attractions. Suhl Planetarium has an 8-meter dome with seating for up to 56 visitors. Beneath the dome, the Zeiss Skymaster small planetarium projects around 6,000 fixed stars, as well as the movements of the Sun, Moon and planets. At the observatory in Suhl, visitors can observe the sky under expert guidance using a 40 cm Cassegrain reflecting telescope and an 11 cm refractor. Suhl therefore offers both projections beneath the dome and guided observations with the instruments described.
Suhl’s museums also have distinct focuses. The Weapons Museum presents almost 600 years of Suhl’s small-arms manufacturing tradition across three floors. A dedicated section offers insights into Suhl’s porcelain production, which played an important role between 1861 and 1930. Suhl Vehicle Museum displays original Simson motorcycles ridden by European and world champions to their titles, as well as the legendary Greifzu racing car. At Suhl Marionette Theatre, visitors can experience puppet theatre and artists from near and far up close. If you plan to visit the theatre, it is worth checking the current performance schedule.
Discover more destinations: Altenfeld, Elgersburg, GroĂźbreitenbach, Geraberg, Frankenhain, Neustadt Am Rennsteig, BĂĽcheloh, Pennewitz
Back to the overview of destinations: Ilm-Kreis.
