Gräfenthal: Slate Trail, Castle and Border History

Hiking between the Slate Trail and the town centre

The Slate Trail, marked as a circular hiking route, is about 60 km long. It connects Probstzella, Lehesten, Ludwigsstadt and Gräfenthal, and partly follows the Green Belt, the former inner-German border. Its length and the several towns it links make it a destination in its own right when planning a trip. If you are considering the Slate Trail, you can think of Gräfenthal as one of the towns along the route.

A hike on the Slate Trail or the circular route can start in Gräfenthal at the railway viaduct, which spans the town centre. This starting point links a striking feature of the townscape with hiking. It is useful to distinguish between the two when planning your day: the approximately 60 km-long Slate Trail and a start at the viaduct describe different aspects of hiking in Gräfenthal, not the length of a single stretch of trail.

Local history and the division of Germany

The Gräfenthal Border and Local History Museum covers both the decades-long division of Germany and the town’s and castle’s nearly 700-year history. A permanent exhibition about the forced resettlements from the restricted zone established in 1952 can be visited at the museum. The experiences of life along the former border are presented alongside the area’s longer history. The museum is a good place to start if you would like to learn more about these subjects during your stay.

Wespenstein Castle, once the seat of the Reich Hereditary Marshals of Pappenheim, has shaped Gräfenthal’s townscape for centuries. In September 2003, for the Day of Monuments, the “Die Pappenheimer” Local History and Historical Society established a museum in the castle. The castle brings together architectural history and a museum visit, while its importance to the townscape can also be seen beyond the exhibition. Another way to explore the past is the audio feature “Gräfenthal Train Accident,” which covers the tragic train accident in Gräfenthal on 23 October 1946.

Views and further discoveries

The Gräfenthal Geo Trail offers views of the Zopletal valley and the town, including Wespenstein Castle, along its circular route. Those who enjoy combining landscapes with views of towns will find a different perspective here from the historical topics covered at the museum. At the signposted stops along the “Gräfenthal Sites of Democracy” circular route, audio guides are available via QR codes. You can listen to audio features at these stops rather than relying solely on reading information on site.

The surrounding area also has historical connections to hiking: in the Gräfenthal area, hiking routes along the Green Belt and the Slate Trail follow the Kolonnenweg, the former patrol road used by East German border troops. The Thuringian Porcelain Route also passes through the Gräfenthal area. These regional connections complement the routes and stories directly associated with Gräfenthal.

For a more peaceful break outdoors, Gräfenthal’s outdoor swimming pool has spacious sunbathing lawns where you can sunbathe and relax. This adds a dedicated place to unwind to the options for hiking, exploring local history and enjoying the views. Depending on whether you would rather spend your time on the trails, exploring historical topics or taking a break at the outdoor pool, you can plan your trip accordingly and look for a suitable holiday apartment in Gräfenthal.

More destinations

If you would also like to include other places in your search: Mellenbach-Glasbach, Oberweißbach/Thüringer Wald, Katzhütte, Unterwellenborn, Saalfeld, Königsee-Rottenbach, Deesbach, Drognitz.

For the main travel overview: Saalfeld-Rudolstadt.