Lichtenau between the lock, hiking trails and railway line

Lichtenau lies on the eastern bank of the Schleuse, just upstream of the mouth of the Biberbach. Its position on the river and near the confluence of the two waterways gives the village a clear geographical setting. Several named trails also pass through or lead to Lichtenau: a circular hiking trail, the Schleusetal Cycle Route and the “Bahndamm” winter hiking trail. This means you can plan your stay around different activities. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, first consider whether hiking, cycling or the regional landscape will shape your stay.

Routes through and to Lichtenau

The 10-kilometre “Schönbrunn – Naturtheater Steinbach-Langenbach – Schönbrunn” circular hiking trail passes through Lichtenau. Its name links Schönbrunn, the Steinbach-Langenbach nature theatre and the return to Schönbrunn. The stated distance gives you a concrete sense of scale if you are planning to include hiking in your holiday. This tour idea can help you narrow down the focus of your stay when choosing a holiday apartment.

The Schleusetal Cycle Route runs from Schönbrunn to Lichtenau, following the former Gründerla railway line. The “Bahndamm” winter hiking trail also runs from Schönbrunn to Lichtenau, along the embankment of the former Gründerla narrow-gauge railway. On the way, it passes the Adlernest forest playground, which is a good place for a short break. The routes therefore differ in their activity and connection to the former railway: the cycle route follows the former line, while the winter hiking trail follows the railway embankment and passes Adlernest. Check the current status of the winter hiking trail before planning your trip.

You can choose between a circular hike, a cycle ride along a former railway line and a winter hike with a rest stop at Adlernest, depending on what you would most like to do. The named trails offer different starting points for planning your trip, without prescribing a fixed itinerary for your stay. If a particular activity is your priority, that may also guide your choice of holiday apartment in Lichtenau.

Landscape and regional destinations

Pronounced nocturnal cold-air dynamics have been observed in the Bibergrund valley between Masserberg on the Rennsteig and the village of Lichtenau in the municipality of Schleusegrund. This detail about the landscape adds a closer look at Lichtenau’s surroundings to the orientation provided by the Schleuse and the Biberbach.

In the wider destination of Schleusegrund, the landscape lies on the southwestern slope of the Rennsteig, in side valleys at elevations of 450 to 800 metres. Schleusegrund is one of the most scenic recreation areas in the Thuringian Forest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. This regional perspective provides additional context for planning your holiday; it describes Schleusegrund, not the location-specific characteristics of Lichtenau.

The Schleusegrund Tourist Information Centre is also located in Schönbrunn and is certified. The Schönbrunn Terraced Baths are located there too. They have a sports pool, a non-swimmer area with a stainless-steel slide and a toddlers’ area. For families who would like to include a swimming pool in their regional holiday plans, these specifically named areas offer useful guidance. The Tourist Information Centre and the Terraced Baths add to the picture of Schleusegrund, while Lichtenau’s description is shaped primarily by its waterside location and its connections to the trails.

Discover more destinations: Schleusingerneundorf, Erlau, Gießübel, Sachsenbrunn, Auengrund, Heldburger Unterland, Schleusingen, Reurieth.

Go to the overview of the wider travel area: Hildburghausen-Suhl.