Castle and Festival History

Kaulsdorf combines a striking historic site with specific hiking suggestions. Kaulsdorf Castle, also known as Kaulsdorf Burg, was built on a rocky spur whose tip reaches to within 130 m of the Saale. Despite several alterations and additions, the castle has retained its medieval character. The historic building and the trails in the municipality it belongs to offer two different ways to shape your stay.

The Goose Market Festival has been celebrated in Kaulsdorf’s old village centre since 1987. If you would like to include the festival in your stay, check the latest dates and programme in advance. This lets you incorporate the festival’s history as a cultural point of reference alongside the castle when planning your trip.

Hikes with Different Destinations

The European long-distance hiking trail Eisenach–Budapest (EB), the Saale-Orla Hiking Trail, the Saale Cycle Route, the Loquitz Cycle Route and the Saale Water Trail also run through the municipality of Kaulsdorf. The municipal routes thus include hiking, cycling and water trails. For specific hikes, three recommendations starting at Kaulsdorf railway station offer different routes and destinations. In the district of Saalfeld-Rudolstadt, the hiking landscape stretches from the Saale valley to the Thuringian Forest and includes quiet woods, expansive views and cultural and historic sights along the trails. The Hohenwarte Reservoir Trail is certified there as a quality hiking trail by the German Hiking Association; well-marked routes are part of this regional offering.

One recommendation leads from Kaulsdorf railway station over the Saale bridge, through Kaulsdorf and onward via Fuhrgasse, Am Wachhügel and Teufelsgraben. The route climbs in switchbacks up the Geyersleitensteig to a rest bench. From there, panoramic views extend to the Rohrbahn and Hohenwarte II power station, the balancing reservoir and Eichicht power station, Eichicht Castle and church, and the railway station.

Another hiking recommendation leads from the railway station via Lohmweg and Lohmsteig to the 403 m-high Lohm Tower and Lohmhütte, and back. The one-way distance is 1,150 m, with an elevation gain of 170 m; panoramic views are available along the way. The listed stops provide clear reference points for the tour, while the route description also includes the return journey.

The third recommendation runs from Kaulsdorf railway station via Alte Straße and Auf der Stelze to Sorbenblick on Sorbenstein, and onward to Hockeroda railway station. The suggestions therefore differ not only in their routes: the Lohm Tower hike is described as a there-and-back route, the Sorbenblick route continues to another railway station, and the Geyersleiten recommendation leads to a rest bench with panoramic views.

This comparison helps you choose a hike based on your preferred destination and route type. Before setting out, it is also advisable to check the latest trail conditions.

Discover more destinations: Lichte, Königsee-Rottenbach, Saalfeld, Leutnitz, Remda-Teichel, Bad Blankenburg, Meura, Katzhütte

Return to the main travel overview: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.