Wipfratal: Landscape, Nature and Regional Culture

Landscape and Nature in the Area of the Former Municipality

The mountainous foothills of the Thuringian Forest characterized the former municipality of Wipfratal, with its twelve districts. The Reinsberg range between Schmerfeld and Reinsfeld is the highest elevation in this area. For getting to know the landscape, both the foothills and this clearly defined ridge are key features.

The Heyda Dam also lies within the area of the former municipality of Wipfratal and Ilmenau. It is a recreation area and popular excursion destination, as well as a fishing and fish-farming lake. Rare marsh and water birds can be found at the dam. This brings several themes together: waterside recreation, fish farming and nature watching.

Hiking and Pilgrimage Routes Nearby

Nearby, the “From Bach to Goethe” hiking trail crosses the Reinsberge and Veronikaberg. Along the way, it offers panoramic views of the valley of the wild Gera, the ridges of the Thuringian Forest and Wipfratal. In the wider region, the Elisabeth-Walburga-Paulina pilgrimage route runs for about 54 kilometers from Erfurt via Arnstadt to Paulinzella; it is rated easy to moderate.

One stage of this pilgrimage route is about 16 kilometers long and leads from Arnstadt via Dornheim, Oberndorf, Hausen, Görbitzhausen and Roda to Niederwillingen. These two figures describe different sections of the route: the roughly 54 kilometers refer to the route from Erfurt to Paulinzella, while the approximately 16 kilometers refer to the second stage. The Kunst- und Käsehof in Görbitzhausen and the NaturErlebnishof in Hausen are also located on the Arnstadt–Stadtilm cycle route.

Culture and History in Arnstadt, a Destination in the Wider Region

In Arnstadt, architecture, Bach history and museum experiences come together. The Renaissance town hall was built between 1582 and 1586; its ornamental gables and decorative features define the facade on the north side of the market square. The Bach monument in the square depicts Johann Sebastian Bach as a young man, casually leaning against a mile marker. Bach was appointed organist at the New Church in August 1703 and remained in Arnstadt until 1707.

The Oberkirche, also known as the Barefoot Church, was built around 1250 and served as the Franciscan monastery church. Its historic interior features include a wooden barrel vault, an organ gallery dating from 1624 and two galleries on the south wall from the mid-17th century. The castle museum displays furniture and art treasures from the former princely collection in reconstructed Baroque rooms on the south side of the piano nobile. Visitors can also walk through the doll town “Mon plaisir,” with its houses and rooms.

The Alteburg on the southern edge of the city offers further insights into Arnstadt’s history: it was a fortified prehistoric hilltop settlement on a limestone plateau, inhabited during the Stone Age, Bronze Age and Iron Age. Two ramparts and the remains of an outer rampart have survived. The original castle tower in Arnstadt is 65 meters high, topped with a copper-clad cupola and a copper-clad spire, and was extensively restored in 1998/99. Arnstadt announced a total of 200 city tours for 2026, including around 30 themed special tours.

Choose the Right Focus for Your Accommodation

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Wipfratal, choose your priorities based on what you would like to focus on during your holiday: landscape and waterside nature in the area of the former municipality, routes nearby or farther afield, or architecture and history in Arnstadt. This makes it easy to include different themes in your travel plans without having to let one type of excursion define your entire stay.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Frankenhain, Arnstadt, Ichtershausen, Geraberg, Möhrenbach, Gehren, Altenfeld and Herschdorf.

Back to the wider travel overview: Ilm District.