Woods, Fields, Culture

„Thuringian town cluster“ - bike trail: 7 Thuringian towns in 8 days

On its way through lovely woods, fields and river-shaped landscapes full of contrasts, the long distance bike trail „Thuringian town cluster“ connects seven of Thuringia’s most beautiful towns. The route leads from Eisenach, town of the Wartburg, to Erfurt, seat of the great cathedral, via the residence town Gotha. After reaching Erfurt, the trip continues to Weimar, home of classical music and the university town Jena to finally end in Altenburg, famous for its skat culture after another two stops in the picturesque Stadtroda and Gera.
The great number of historic towns is accompanied by a beautiful landscape so diversified it never gets boring. At the bottom of the Thuringian Woods with the proud Wartburg passes your route past the legendary Hörselberge-mountains to follow the Ilm-bike trail, the Saale-bike trail and the Elster bike trail. They wind their way through the wooded Zeitzgrund-valley and the idyllic Mühltal-valley on through the wide area of the federal horticultural exhibition from 2007 close to Gera, before reaching your destination in the Altenburger lands.
The continuously signposted route consists mainly of paved paths and offers separate bike trails, wide forest tracks and small streets. Every biking day involves long flat episodes, some hilly stages and very few and short parts where you will prefer to push your bikes.

1. day  Arriving in Eisenach

Make sure to arrive on time in the historical Eisenach, seat of the Wartburg. You will not regret it! A great number of famous characters are still associated with this place: Johann Sebastian Bach, the holy Elisabeth or Martin Luther were active here, according museums are dedicated to them today. (Arrival by train possible/ parking facilities at the hotel / rental bikes at the hotel).

2. day  Eisenach - Gotha 40 km

Following the course of the Hörsel you will cycle through the Thuringian basin on small streets. Wide fields seam your way to the „Galopprennbahn Boxberg“, a well preserved horse race track in Jugendstil-style with a restaurant. The residence town Gotha is not far from there. Thus, you will have enough time to visit Friedenstein castle with the integrated Ekhof-theatre during the afternoon as well as to take a walk around the worthwhile market place.

3. day  Gotha - Erfurt 41 km

New destinations lure today: In the morning, you will reach Wechmar, elected the most beautiful village of Thuringia in 2003 and famous for its Bach-museum. The distinctive castle trio of Wachsenburg-castle, Mühlburg-castle and Gleichen-castle, often called “The 3 equal ones” lies in front you afterwards. Not far from this castle-arrangement, one of Thuringia’s oldest restaurants will be waiting for you even before you will follow the Gera river through most lovely parks right into the heart of the ancient trade centre Erfurt. The cathedral with the Severi-church towers strikingly out of this medieval pearl. The overbuilt grocer’s bridge is regarded as the town’s landmark.

4. day  Erfurt - Weimar 25 km

The Thuringian town cluster sticks to its promises! After a rather short day on your bikes you will roll comfortably into Weimar, town of classical music, to stroll on Goethe’s and Schiller’s footprints. Here, you will have the chance to visit the residence castle, the Bauhaus-museum and the national theatre or to just take a walk along the Ilm river. But one thing is for sure: You will once again not have a chance to get bored!

5. day  Weimar - Stadtroda 42 km

After a lot of cultural highlights, the landscape will be in the centre of attention from now on. First thing in the morning you will get on your bikes to join the Ilm on its idyllic bike trail out of Weimar. A slight slope leads up to Großschwabhausen, from where you will continue comfortably downhill on magnificent forest tracks to the university town of Jena. The Zeiss-planetarium, the Optic museum and the Schott Glas museum have given special distinction to the town, scene of European history during the battle of Jena and Auerstedt in 1806. Easily, you will cycle along the restored Saale-bike trail. The bike trails leading through the narrow valley of the Roda are bordered by red rock faces and have only been constructed lately. They lead you all the way to the cosy town of Stadtroda.

6. day  Stadtroda - Gera 43 km

Today you will understand why Thuringia is also called „Germany’s green heart“ as you cycle over fantastic trails for many kilometres. First, you will cross the wooded Zeitzgrund, to continue along the Rauda through the wonderful Mühltahl-valley with its numerous restaurants later on. A former railroad track will serve as your bike trail from here on. It guides your way to the Weiße-Elster-bike trail leading to Gera via Bad Köstritz, seat of the famous black beer-brewery.

7. day  Gera - Altenburg 44 km

The grounds of the federal horticultural exhibition from 2007 will host you and your bikes from Gera to Ronneburg. This former open cast mining area for uranium ore was redeveloped and revitalized ecologically by the Wismut GmbH and has become a popular destination for excursions since. The last stage consists of small streets and separate trails leading to Schmölln, “the city of button”, along the small rivers Sprotte and Pleiße. It ends in Altenburg, seat of an enormous castle complex host of the playing card museum. In the evening, there will be enough time left to get to know the former residence town on your own.

8. day  Departing from Altenburg

With a lot of new impressions in your heads you will get on your way back home. You are welcome to profit from our home transfer to Eisenach.