Glass Art and Intangible Cultural Heritage

Glass Christmas tree decorations bring cultural history and craftsmanship together in Lauscha. The Museum of Glass Art Lauscha presents their history from 1860 to the present day, including baubles and various shapes. The production of mouth-blown glass Christmas tree decorations from Lauscha has been included in the nationwide inventory of intangible cultural heritage. This brings two aspects together: The exhibition traces the development of the decorations, while their inclusion recognizes the production tradition as intangible cultural heritage.

Natural and Themed Spaces

The Sonneberg district lies within the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Region National Geopark. The German Toy Route also runs along the district. The nature park and geopark provide the region with landscape and geological connections; the Toy Route adds a named themed route to this setting. Together, they offer different perspectives on the district: landscapes, geology and a route with its own theme.

Hiking with Different Focal Points

The Bleßberg Cave GeoPfad begins at the Bleßberg Cave Geopark information center at Schalkau station and runs for 17.6 kilometers to Seltendorf station. The two stations mark the start and finish; the route length gives you a specific basis for planning your hike. Information boards along the GeoPfad explain the history of its discovery and the distinctive geology of the Franconian Line fault zone. Karst features such as sinkholes, karst springs and disappearing streams are also part of the route. The hike thus combines a clearly defined route with information about its discovery and the geological themes along the way.

The Iron Curtain Trail, also known as the Green Belt Border Hiking Trail, is another certified hiking and cycling route in the district. This offers different route profiles: The GeoPfad has information boards about its discovery and geology, while the Iron Curtain Trail is designated for both hiking and cycling. This helps you choose between a hike with themed information and a certified route that can also be used by bike.

Winter Sports, Summer Toboggan Run and Beer Experience

For winter sports, the Thüringen Alpin Skiarena Silbersattel is near the slate town of Steinach in the Sonneberg district. It is Thuringia’s largest ski area and has the most reliable snow. Facilities and seasonal operations can change, so check the latest operating information before your trip.

A seasonal option is the summer toboggan run on Pappenheimer Berg near Ernstthal. A ski lift adapted for summer operation pulls the sleds, along with their riders, 500 meters uphill to the starting point. The two figures refer to different things: 17.6 kilometers is the length of the GeoPfad hike, while 500 meters describes how far the sleds are pulled up to the start.

In Steinach, the Ankerbräu brewery experience offers beer tastings and a beer bath. This adds a distinct offering to the cultural, landscape and sports activities.

Before your trip, check the current route, operating information for the ski arena and summer toboggan run, and whether the tastings and beer bath are currently available.

More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Neuhaus Am Rennweg, Spechtsbrunn, Steinheid, Lauscha, Steinach, Sonneberg, Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Judenbach, Schalkau, Mengersgereuth-Hämmern, Goldisthal, Effelder-Rauenstein, Scheibe-Alsbach, Föritz, Frankenblick.

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