Two outdoor attractions provide a clear framework for planning a trip to Scheibe-Alsbach: in summer, hikes of varying difficulty start here, and a circular trail about 2.6 kilometres long leads directly around the reservoir. The annual tent fair in September adds another recurring date. This makes it easy to distinguish between outdoor activities and a stay centred on a local festival.

Summer hikes

In summer, Scheibe-Alsbach is a starting point for easy, moderate and challenging hikes along the nearby Rennsteig and on certified hiking trails. The well-developed, signposted network of hiking trails includes shelters and rest areas. The range from easy to challenging trails gives you a specific guide when choosing your route. Check local information about current trail conditions before setting out.

Circular trail and reservoir

The Scheibe-Alsbach reservoir was created in 1944 and is surrounded by forests and meadows. The trail leads directly around it and is about 2.6 kilometres long. The reservoir has been used for drinking water since 1968, so swimming is prohibited. The route options therefore have different features to consider: for hikes, you can use the difficulty ratings as a guide; for the circuit, you can consider its approximate length.

Tent fair and biathlon

The tent fair is considered the town’s largest folk festival and takes place every year on the second weekend in September. If you are planning your stay around the festival, confirm the exact date locally. Biathlon is also closely associated with Scheibe-Alsbach: this connection dates back around 50 years. On 27 June 2026, the Thuringian Junior Cup in cross-country skiing and biathlon, featuring an obstacle cross-country race and the RWS Series, was held at the “Am Rußtiegel” biathlon facility. Hiking is a summer activity, while the fair takes place every September—two different indicators for choosing when to travel.

Culture in Neuhaus am Rennweg

The wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg has its own cultural highlights. The Gothic wooden church in the town centre was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few churches in Germany built entirely of wood. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass, with the colours arranged according to the ripening of the grapes. The Erlebnis Museum in Neuhaus am Rennweg presents the glass and history of the Rennsteig town and invites visitors to listen, linger and actively experience the lives of the “Wäldler”. The Geißlerhaus, the birthplace of Dr. Heinrich Geißler (1814–1879), also presents the glass and history of the Rennsteig town. These cultural attractions give Neuhaus am Rennweg its own distinctive character alongside the nature and hiking opportunities in Scheibe-Alsbach. In the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg, the archery trail on the Rennsteig begins and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, near the Rennsteighaus.

Discover more destinations: Lauscha, Sonneberg, Judenbach, Frankenblick, Steinach, Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Steinheid, Spechtsbrunn

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