Schalkau offers several different reasons to visit: views from Galgenberg, the Schaumburg Ruins, trails and an outdoor swimming pool. The options range from scenery and history to seasonal recreation. Deciding which of these options you want to focus on is a good starting point for planning your trip and accommodation.
Views and Schaumburg
Galgenberg, above Schalkau, is one of the city's local mountains, along with Schaumberg, and offers views over Schalkau. The Schaumburg Ruins are a notable site and the largest archaeological monument in the Sonneberg district. The Schalkau Schaumburg Association offers guided tours of the ruins on request; check availability with the association before your visit. Every June, Schalkau hosts the Schaumburg Festival at the ruins, featuring a medieval spectacle and knightly games. Event details may vary from year to year, so check the dates and program for your planned visit.
Trails and outdoor swimming pool
The 3 km Nature Park Trail around Schaumburg starts at the Nature Park Gate below Ida-Platz. It runs along the foot of Schaumberg to the protected “Zigeunereiche” (Gypsy Oak) and then continues around the mountain. The Thuringian Forest Nature Park Route passes through Schalkau. The Bleßberghöhle Geotrail leads from Schalkau around Bleßberghöhle and continues via Rauenstein to Zinselhöhle. The Nature Park Trail focuses on its length and route around the mountain, while the Geotrail connects several named destinations; check trail conditions before setting out on the Geotrail.
The outdoor swimming pool in Schalkau has a swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a children's paddling pool, as well as a large sunbathing lawn, a sun beach, a volleyball court and a slide. Confirm seasonal opening hours before travelling.
In the wider destination of Sonneberg
The Sonneberg district lies within the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Land National Geopark. Information panels along the Bleßberghöhle Geotrail explain the history of its discovery, the geology of the fault zone along the Franconian Line, and karst features such as sinkholes, karst springs and sinking streams. The Lauscha Museum of Glass Art presents the history of glass Christmas tree decorations, including baubles and various shapes, from 1860 to the present day. The making of mouth-blown Lauscha Christmas tree decorations has been included in the nationwide Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. In the Sonneberg district, the 17.6-kilometre Geotrail runs from the Bleßberghöhle Geopark Information Centre at Schalkau station to Seltendorf station.
As a seasonal option, the Thüringen Alpin Ski Arena Silbersattel is located near the slate-mining town of Steinach in the Sonneberg district; it is Thuringia's largest and most snow-reliable ski area. As facilities and seasonal operations may vary, check current opening times before travelling.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Lauscha, Scheibe-Alsbach, Spechtsbrunn, Sonneberg, Judenbach, Mengersgereuth-Hämmern, Steinheid
Back to the wider travel guide: Sonneberg.
