Oberschönau is surrounded by mountains, including Hermannsberg (867 m), Ruppberg (866 m), Hohe Möst (888 m) and Donnershauk (893 m). Of these mountains, Donnershauk is the highest and Ruppberg the lowest; the difference in elevation between the two is 27 m. The isolated rock formations near Oberschönau include the Zwölf Apostel, the Möstfelsen and the Hohe Stein. The Rennsteig runs along the ridge of Donnershauk, about three kilometres from the town of Oberschönau. The surrounding mountains and rocks therefore provide different points of reference for orientation, alongside a nearby section of the Rennsteig.
Hiking, Climbing and Other Activities
Oberschönau offers well-marked hiking trails. Mountain biking and Nordic walking are also available, and climbing is possible at the Finkensteine and the Zwölf Apostel. Two interests come together at the Zwölf Apostel: the rocks are among the isolated formations, and climbing is also possible there. If you want to combine a specific rock formation with an activity when planning, you’ll find both here.
The Oberschönauer Felsenwanderung is one of the circular hiking trails in Steinbach-Hallenberg. Check current route conditions before setting out; conditions on hiking trails can vary too. The tour has its own name and place among the circular hiking trail options, while the marked trails in Oberschönau offer more general guidance.
Culture and Other Highlights in Steinbach-Hallenberg
In Steinbach-Hallenberg, the focus is on traditional craftsmanship: at the Metalworking Museum, visitors can explore original preserved workshops and see how people worked in the past. The museum includes a nail forge, a corkscrew workshop and a file-making workshop. Each of the three workshops gives the museum a distinct, specific craft focus.
The permanent exhibition “Ons Schdaaimicher,” which opened in January 2022, offers insights into the lifestyle, language development and club life of the people of Steinbach-Hallenberg. Blacksmithing demonstrations are also part of the museum’s programme: they take place on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. from April to October. If you’re planning to attend a demonstration, check the specific dates in advance.
Hallenburg Castle in Steinbach-Hallenberg was built around 1212 on older building remains. A walk up to the castle offers views of the town and the surrounding mountains. You may need to collect the key from the Tourist Information office to access the tower. The office is centrally located in the town centre, directly opposite the Metalworking Museum.
Another way to experience nature in Steinbach-Hallenberg is to visit the Unterlautenberg wildlife enclosure in the district of Unterschönau. Red deer, fallow deer, mouflons and goats can be seen there, and a circular trail about three kilometres long runs alongside the enclosure. This offers a different way to spend time in the region from the hiking and climbing activities in Oberschönau.
During the summer holidays, horse-drawn carriage rides to Knüllfeld and back to the town centre are regularly offered in partnership with Fuhrbetrieb Falk Nattermann. The ride offers views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Knüllfeld is known as the hiking plateau of Steinbach-Hallenberg. Ride dates are published in the town’s events calendar; check the specific dates before your trip.
Discover more destinations: Viernau, Struth-Helmershof, Rohr / Thuringia, Wallbach, Fambach, Zella-Mehlis, Unterschönau, Oberhof
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