Bettenhausen: River Valley and Church Art
Bettenhausen lies at an elevation of 350 metres above sea level in the Herpf Valley, south of the local mountain, the Geba. The Herpf flows through the village, where modern and historic bridges are part of the local character. The village description thus brings together its valley setting and the crossings shaped by the stream.
The Church of the Holy Cross offers its own perspective on the village’s architectural and art history. The present building was probably constructed between 1617 and 1619 over an earlier Romanesque building. Its furnishings include a Baroque pulpit altar and a Döring organ from the same period. The organ case is decorated with figural and floral ornamentation; the Baroque organ was made by Ernst Döring. The building’s history and furnishings tell different chapters: the probable origins of the present building on the one hand, and the altar and organ’s shared period on the other.
In the wider Schmalkalden-Meiningen destination
In Schmalkalden, the Viba Nougat World combines insights into production with hands-on confectionery courses. Visitors can experience nougat being made in a glass-fronted workshop. In the courses, participants pour chocolate, decorate nougat and create pralines. Dates and booking conditions may change, so check them before making plans. The Viba Nougat World is only a few minutes’ walk from Schmalkalden’s bus and railway station. As transport connections and services at the station may change, it is worth checking the latest travel information.
Industrial history takes centre stage at the “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum in Schmalkalden. The blast furnace complex dates from 1835; locally mined iron ore was smelted there using charcoal until 1924. The exhibitions explore the region’s nearly 1,300-year history of iron and steel goods production, including the well-known “Schmalkalder Artikel.” A 45-minute guided tour covers the history and operation of the blast furnace. The Metalworking Museum offers a different perspective on craft production: its original workshops show how nails, pliers and corkscrews have been made for centuries.
Landscapes and Activities in Schmalkalden-Meiningen
For a walk in nature, the Breitunger Seen nature reserve offers a 3.5-kilometre hiking trail with seating areas. The Trusetal Waterfall presents a strikingly different landscape: it plunges 60 metres over a granite formation in three cascades. Visitors can also climb the 228 steps beside the waterfall. Together, they offer two distinct nature experiences: a trail through a protected area and a waterfall with the option of an additional climb.
Longer outings also differ depending on how you travel. The Werratal Cycle Route, with its impressive river scenery, is ideal for multi-day cycling tours. In the Prachtregion, the Rennsteig is a hiking trail where visitors can discover natural treasures; in the Thuringian Forest, it also offers nature-oriented cycling routes with beautiful views and exciting, fast descents. Canoeing on the Werra offers a different perspective on the river. For activities on the water, pedal boats and rowing boats can be rented at Kiessee lake in Breitungen. Stand-up paddleboarding is available at Breitungen lido, where pedal boats and rowing boats can also be hired. Availability may change, so it is advisable to check before your visit.
Winter sports add to the options in Oberhof: the alpine slopes offer fast descents, depending on snow and facility conditions. Germany’s first indoor cross-country skiing centre makes it possible to go cross-country skiing in summer too; opening and booking conditions may change. For freestyle-oriented skiers and snowboarders, Oberhof’s snow park features elements such as straight boxes, butter boxes, A-frame boxes and various tubes.
Discover more destinations: Kühndorf, Brotterode-Trusetal, Rohr / Thuringia, Trusetal-Laudenbach, Vachdorf, Meiningen, Henneberg, Unterkatz.
Back to the wider travel guide: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
