In Weimarer Land, trails lead straight into a blend of landscape and culture. The Thuringian Three Towers Trail is a circular hiking route through the protected landscape of the Middle Ilm Valley in southern Weimarer Land. It connects Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, Hainturm in Belvedere Forest near Weimar, and Carolinenturm near Blankenhain. The three towers give the circular trail a shared theme, while the Middle Ilm Valley provides its landscape setting.
Hiking trails with different themes
Those interested in Nordic walking will find routes through varied landscapes at the VitalParcours Bad Berka. In 2011, the German Nordic Walking Association certified four of the routes as quality trails. This date records the certification at the time; it is worth checking current trail conditions before setting out.
Literature and nature meet on the Goethe Experience Trail. It connects Weimar and Großkochberg, follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein, and offers twelve experience stations combining nature and culture. This gives it a different focus from the Three Towers Trail: here, a historic connection and the stations shape the theme, while the three towers and the protected landscape take center stage there.
Cycling between places and themes
The cycle routes between Weimar, Apolda and Bad Sulza combine nature, cultural history and regional cuisine, making them suitable for multi-day cycling trips. In Bad Sulza, the Ilm Valley Cycle Route passes through the Thuringian Wine Gate. In the broader context of Thuringia, the Ilm Valley Cycle Route is 123 kilometers long and runs from the Thuringian Forest to the Saale-Unstrut wine-growing region. There are rail connections in both directions along the route, allowing cyclists to return to their starting point. Check current timetables and trail conditions before your trip.
Art, literature and regional history
Apolda brings together two cultural themes in different locations: the GlockenStadtMuseum explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. Since 1995, the Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has hosted exhibitions by international and regional artists. Its event program also includes lectures, auctions, book readings and film screenings. For specific exhibitions and dates, it is best to check the latest visitor information.
In Bad Berka, the Coudray House focuses on the development of spa and healthcare services: its permanent exhibition covers 200 years of this history in the town. The Bad Sulza Saltworks and Local History Museum presents another chapter of the region’s past, showcasing a salt-making tradition that dates back to 1046.
Historic buildings and literary heritage offer their own points of interest, too. The Thuringian Open-Air Museum Hohenfelden showcases more than 40 historic buildings from the 16th to the 20th century. Wielandgut Oßmannstedt includes a memorial to Wieland and a multimedia museum about the poet’s life, work and influence. The restored estate is open to visitors; check the latest visiting arrangements before your visit.
Prepare Thuringian classics yourself
Culinary tradition and hands-on activities take center stage at the Thuringian Dumpling Museum. Seminars or training sessions for up to 80 people can be booked year-round, subject to booking and scheduling. At the dumpling cooking school and the potato pancake school, visitors can prepare Thuringian classics. This hands-on introduction to regional cuisine complements Weimarer Land’s museums and landscape experiences.
Planning your trip
For rail travel, Weimar is connected to Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance network. Check current connections before travelling. When planning your stay, choose your focus according to whether you would most like to hike, cycle, or spend time exploring art, literature and regional history.
Discover more destinations: Bad Sulza, Weimar, Niedergrunstedt, Possendorf, Mellingen, Bad Berka, Apolda, Auerstedt, Magdala, Kranichfeld, Hohenfelden, Nohra, Tonndorf, Gaberndorf, Kleinobringen, Blankenhain, Ilmtal-WeinstraĂźe, Ettersburg, Lehnstedt, Niedertrebra, Kapellendorf, Schwerstedt, Berlstedt, Niederzimmern, GroĂźheringen, Kleinschwabhausen.
For the general travel overview: Thuringia.
