Leutenberg can be explored via a range of hiking options and a historic center. Several circular hiking trails start and finish at the market square; other routes pass through the town or connect it with other places. For planning, it is therefore worth first looking at the type and length of the route: circular trails differ from a route through several places and from the Sormitz Trail, which starts at Lichtentanne station. The museum, town church and Nature Park House offer their own points of interest for a visit that is about more than just hiking.
Choose hiking trails by route and format
For circular hiking trails 2, 3, 4 and 6, both the start and the finish are at Leutenberg market square. The routes are 12.0 km for Trail 2, 14.5 km for Trail 3, 13.3 km for Trail 4 and 15.1 km for Trail 6. This means these four circular routes range from 12.0 to 15.1 km. Circular Hiking Trail 5 is 16.3 km long and connects Leutenberg, Herschdorf, Landsendorf and Dorfilm on a loop.
Another option is the Sormitz Trail: it starts at Lichtentanne station, passes through the Sormitz Valley and the Nature Park House to Leutenberg market square, and continues to Hockeroda. The route is 13.1 km long. The Way of St. James passes through Leutenberg between the Lemnitz Valley and Rosenthal. These routes therefore offer a choice of different starting points and itineraries; Circular Hiking Trail 5 also links four named places.
At just under 7 km, the Thuringian Primeval Forest Trail in Leutenberg is a standalone shorter option. There are rest areas and viewpoints along the trail. Important for your planning: the trail is not accessible and is not suitable for cycling. The children's hiking trail “Following in the Salamander’s Footsteps” offers a different kind of route: it is a circular trail and educational path with many play and learning stations. There is also an extensive network of hiking trails in and around Leutenberg.
Market Square, Museum and Town Church
The historic center of Leutenberg features an ensemble of buildings around the market square. The local history museum is a few meters from the market square, at the end of a side street. Its first section is dedicated to the history of the local area, the town and Friedensburg Castle; its subjects also include the Counts of Schwarzburg-Leutenberg and the descendants of the Schwarzburg-Rudolstadt princes. The museum also preserves an original shoemaker’s workshop.
Today’s town church of St. Mary Magdalene was built in the Neoclassical style from 1812 to 1815. Together with the market square ensemble and the museum, it offers several places to stop on a tour of the town’s history and historic center. If your route also follows a pilgrimage trail, you can incorporate its course through Leutenberg between the Lemnitz Valley and Rosenthal into your plans.
Discover Nature and Add to Your Visit
Visitors can see live fire salamanders at the Nature Park House in Leutenberg. The building also has a mineral collection. Live animals and minerals offer two different perspectives on natural history. From numerous viewpoints in Leutenberg, the view extends over the lovingly preserved old town and surrounding area.
Another leisure option is the “Alexandra” outdoor pool in Leutenberg, which has a wide water slide. To choose a suitable trail, start by looking at its length and route: circular hiking trails 2, 3, 4 and 6 start and finish at the market square, while the Sormitz Trail starts at Lichtentanne station and continues to Hockeroda. This helps distinguish between different trail formats without inferring a walking time or level of difficulty from the distances.
To help you prepare, the town’s tourist information office at the market provides hiking maps, suggested hikes and extensive information for visitors. Check the current opening hours before your visit. This lets you combine your choice of route with the cultural and natural history stops that interest you most in Leutenberg.
Discover more destinations: Hohenwarte, Deesbach, Piesau, Cursdorf, Gräfenthal, Kamsdorf, Middle Schwarzatal, Leutnitz
Go to the regional travel overview: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.
