Steinbach in the Hochwald: Village History and Panoramic Views

Steinbach is nestled in the Hochwald, offering panoramic views of the Franconian countryside. It is also the highest-altitude village in the municipality of Schleusegrund. The forest and panoramic views shape the landscape around the village. When looking for a holiday apartment, you can consider whether this location in the Hochwald and the views of the Franconian countryside should tip the scales in favour of choosing it for your holiday.

Local History and an Open-Air Theatre

Steinbach was first mentioned in 1406. This date gives the village’s history a specific point of reference alongside its present-day landscape. There is also a cultural connection: Steinbach is associated with Thuringia’s largest open-air theatre. This means local history and theatre culture offer different ways to experience the village, alongside the Hochwald and its panoramic views. If you are interested in more than the landscape, you can include these topics in your holiday plans.

Hiking Trails and Regional Routes

There is a hiking car park on the outskirts of Steinbach, and marked hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty levels run through the surrounding area. The different route lengths and difficulty levels make it possible to choose a hike to suit your preferred distance and level of challenge. The local hiking options therefore offer a range of starting points for planning your day, without any one hike having to define your stay.

A circular hike in the wider region runs from Schönbrunn Grenzbrücke via Hühnersbachtal, Insel, Buchenkopf and Steinbach to Langenbach (the “Wandersruh” holiday complex) and Lichtenau; from there, it follows the panoramic cycle path back to Schönbrunn. Steinbach is one stop on a route that connects several places and returns to Schönbrunn. Since 2008, a mountain run has been held annually in the wider region on the natural trail from Waldau to Steinbach. The routes have clearly different directions: the circular hike returns to Schönbrunn, while the run goes from Waldau to Steinbach.

Schleusegrund as the Regional Setting

The wider holiday destination of Schleusegrund opens up a larger geographical setting. Schleusegrund lies on the south-western slope of the Rennsteig, in side valleys at an altitude of 450 to 800 metres, and is one of the most appealing recreational areas in the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve.

The certified Schleusegrund Tourist Information Centre is located in Schönbrunn. The Terrassenbad Schönbrunn swimming pool is also in the wider holiday destination of Schleusegrund. It has a sports pool, a non-swimmer area with a stainless-steel slide, and a toddlers’ area. This means the region offers a swimming pool with several specifically named areas, as well as landscapes and hiking trails.

The Right Location for Your Stay

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you want to focus on: should your stay centre mainly on Steinbach’s location in the Hochwald, its panoramic views and hiking options, or would you also like to include Schönbrunn and its attractions in the wider Schleusegrund destination? This way, you can tailor your accommodation search to the places and activities that matter for your trip. Nature, hiking and the theatre connection are complemented by regional destinations such as the Terrassenbad and the Tourist Information Centre in Schönbrunn.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Engenstein, Schönbrunn.

Go to the overview of the wider holiday destination: Schleusegrund.