Föritztal is considered a transitional area where southern Thuringia and Upper Franconia blend seamlessly into one another. Local highlights range from stargazing and architectural and church history to cycling and outdoor swimming. When planning your trip, you can therefore start by choosing your main interest: astronomical observation, historic sites or an outdoor activity. The Rotheul Observatory, Neuhaus Castle and Palace, the church in Judenbach, the Steinkohle GeoTrail and the Neuhaus-Schierschnitz outdoor pool offer a variety of experiences.

Stargazing and local history

At the Rotheul Observatory, visitors can use telescopes to observe, among other things, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies. Prior arrangements are required for guidance and observation sessions.

Neuhaus Castle was built in the 13th century as a relatively modest structure. Neuhaus Palace was remodelled in the Neo-Renaissance style from 1902 to 1904 by its then owner, Hermann von Walther. The Chapel of St. Niklas in Judenbach already stood before the end of the 14th century; in 1455 it was extended into a church. The castle, palace and church thus provide different reference points for the history of architecture and the area.

Trails, outdoor pool and library

With the exception of a few sections, the Steinkohle GeoTrail is also suitable for cyclists. If you are planning a cycling tour, take these exceptions into account when choosing your route. The Neuhaus-Schierschnitz outdoor pool is located right on the B89 and is surrounded by trees. More than 700 books, DVDs and computer games are available free of charge at the Judenbach Library. If you plan to visit the library, check the latest information about its collection and services.

In the wider region, the Grenzland APP offers a range of tours to historic sites and places of remembrance. The individual routes are 15 to 50 kilometres long and are best travelled by motorbike, car or bicycle (including e-bikes). Before planning your trip, check whether the app is currently available.

In the wider Sonneberg destination

The Lauscha Museum of Glass Art presents the history of glass Christmas tree decorations, from baubles to a range of other shapes, from 1860 to the present day. The craft of making mouth-blown Lauscha glass Christmas tree decorations has been included in the nationwide Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The Sonneberg district lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Region National Geopark; it is also located along the German Toy Road.

Another hiking destination in the wider Sonneberg area is the Bleßberghöhle GeoTrail. It starts at the Bleßberghöhle Geopark Information Centre at Schalkau station and runs for 17.6 kilometres to Seltendorf station. Information boards along the route explain the cave’s discovery, the geology of the Franconian Line fault zone and karst features such as dolines, karst springs and sinking streams.

Near the slate town of Steinach, in the Sonneberg district, is the Thüringen Alpin Skiarena Silbersattel, Thuringia’s largest and most snow-sure ski area. Seasonal operations and facilities may change; check the latest operating dates before travelling.

Discover more destinations: Judenbach, Effelder-Rauenstein, Spechtsbrunn, Sonneberg, Scheibe-Alsbach, Frankenblick, Steinach, Neuhaus-Schierschnitz

Go to the wider travel overview: Sonneberg.