Großbreitenbach: Plateau, Hiking Trail and Half-Timbered Church
Accommodation in Großbreitenbach
Großbreitenbach stretches across a plateau between the Langer Berg, the Schwarza Valley and the Rennsteig long-distance hiking trail. A state-recognized health resort, it lies around 50 kilometres south of Erfurt and about 15 kilometres southeast of Ilmenau. Notable features of the town include the marked Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail and St. Trinity Church, which, with 600 seats, is Thuringia’s largest half-timbered church. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider whether your stay will focus mainly on hiking or on architecture and local history.
The plateau and hiking trail
The marked Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail is about 15 kilometres long; routes of varying lengths, ranging from easy to moderate, are available. The length and difficulty offer two different points of reference for fitting the hike into your daily plans. You can consider the distance and difficulty together when planning activities for your stay.
St. Trinity Church and its construction history
St. Trinity Church was built from 1679 onwards to replace the dilapidated St. John’s Church. The latter had been built in 1570 and collapsed in 1771, with only its church tower remaining. The new church was built to plans by Andreas Rudolphi, the Saxon-Gotha master builder, and was consecrated in 1690. Its history therefore encompasses two successive church buildings: the older St. John’s Church and the new church, built from the late 17th century onwards.
St. Trinity Church is entirely clad in slate. A striking hexagonal roof turret sits on the steep roof of the broad nave. One feature of the church’s furnishings also links it to its predecessor: the wooden baptismal stand dates from 1677 and was brought over from the old St. John’s Church. The building’s form and baptismal stand bring its history to life through distinct details, from its striking roof design to an object from the former church.
Hiking and cycling in the Ilm District
Another explicitly regional route is the Ilm-Rennsteig Cycle Path in the wider Ilm District destination. It follows a former railway line from Ilmenau to Großbreitenbach or Neustadt am Rennsteig, linking the Ilmtal Cycle Path with the Rennsteig Cycle Path. The route is almost entirely paved and signposted as a cycle street. This makes it possible to factor different types of activity into your travel plans: the Wurzelkurt Hiking Trail is defined by its length and difficulty, while the cycle path is characterized, among other things, by its route and surface. If you are looking for a holiday apartment, your preferred holiday activity can be a helpful starting point for your decision.
Beyond Großbreitenbach, the wider Ilm District destination offers other trails with distinct themes. The 21-kilometre Pilzsteig leads from Gehren over the Langer Berg to the European Mushroom Park in Gillersdorf, then continues through the Reicheltal Valley to Neustadt am Rennsteig. The Goethe Hiking Trail connects landscapes of the Thuringian Forest with places where Goethe worked in Ilmenau and the surrounding area, as far as Stützerbach. The two routes have their own distinct focus: the Pilzsteig crosses the Langer Berg and leads to a named destination, while the Goethe Hiking Trail brings together landscapes and places associated with Goethe. You can choose between Großbreitenbach’s local themes and other clearly distinct highlights in the Ilm District.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Böhlen, Arnstadt, Großliebringen, Altenfeld, Wolfsberg, Pennewitz, Geraberg, Behringen.
Return to the main travel overview: Ilm District.
