Plaue: Hiking Trails, Ehrenburg Castle Ruins and the Church of Our Lady
Accommodation in Plaue
Plaue combines local history with practical options for active days. The ruins of Ehrenburg Castle, the town’s landmark, stand on the 394-metre-high mountain overlooking the town. The Church of Our Lady is the oldest building in the town and was built in the 13th century during the monastic period. There are also three hiking trails of varying lengths, the seasonal outdoor swimming pool in the forest, and the Gera Cycle Route. This lets you plan your stay around what matters most to you: history, exercise or a day of swimming each offers a different focus.
Choose a Hiking Trail by Distance
The three hiking trails differ first of all in their approximate lengths: around 4.5, 6 and 7 kilometres. The trail “From the Spring Source via Gebörn to Zimmertal” is around 4.5 kilometres long. It runs from Postplatz via the Spring Source, Gebörn and Zimmertal; the return route to Plaue follows the lower Weinbergweg.
At around 6 kilometres, “Around the Vineyard” is a longer option. From Postplatz, the route goes via Zimmertal, Kirschallee, Langes Abstel, a shelter and Spalthöhle before returning to Plaue. “On the Heights and at the Foot of the Reinsberge” is around 7 kilometres long and starts and ends at Plaue station. Named points along the route include the swimming pool, Haases Ruh’, Schöne Aussicht, Kanzel/Reinsberge, Reinsburg, “Reinsberger Dorf”, Roter Graben and Wanderers Ruh’. The approximate distances give you an initial guide for planning your day; the points along the routes also differ considerably.
The Church of Our Lady: History and Nature Trail
The Church of Our Lady combines a long building history with special details inside and on its grounds. Its winged altar is one of the few in Thuringia to have survived almost completely intact from the turn of the 14th and 15th centuries. On the church grounds, a church wall planted with rock garden plants forms a small nature trail; slate plaques identify the plants. This brings together several interests: the history of a 13th-century building, the altar tradition around the turn of the 15th century, and the labelled plant life along the wall.
Swimming Pool and Cycling
Plaue’s outdoor swimming pool in the forest has a swimming pool, a non-swimmers’ pool and a paddling pool. There is also a large sunbathing lawn, two volleyball courts and table-tennis tables. Following renovation work, the pool reopened in 2026. As it is seasonal, it is a good idea to check whether it is currently open before planning a day of swimming.
Cycling can also be part of your travel plans: the 75-kilometre Gera Cycle Route runs in five sections from Schmücke on the Rennsteig to Gebesee. Plaue lies on the second section, which follows the Gera past fields and meadows. If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Plaue, distinguishing between the local hiking trails and the cycle route can help with your planning: would you prefer to explore mainly on foot, or include a cycling trip along the second section?
Discover More Destinations
Discover more destinations: Bösleben-Wüllersleben, Geraberg, Bücheloh, Großliebringen, Elleben, Frauenwald, Friedersdorf, Arnstadt.
Return to the regional travel overview: Ilm District.
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