Floh-Seligenthal: Mountain Lake, Forest and Tradition

Mountain Lake, Mountain Meadow and Waterfall

Lake Ebertswiese was formed by quarrying. Today, it lies between rock faces up to 30 metres high. Ebertswiese is a mountain meadow where various species of wild orchids and globe flowers grow. The Spitter also rises here. Further downstream, it forms Thuringia’s highest natural waterfall, at 19 metres. The lake, rock faces, meadow and waterfall each represent a different aspect of the landscape around Floh-Seligenthal.

You can also explore the area on foot along the Luther Trail, which passes through the municipality and runs alongside dense forests that offer lovely views of Floh-Seligenthal. Another specific hiking option is the moderately difficult Höhnberg Loop, a Nature Park trail. It is 14.3 kilometres long, takes about three hours to walk and has an elevation gain of 286 metres. Following historic routes, the trail passes through spruce and mixed forests to the mountain ridge, follows the Rennsteig for a stretch, and then crosses mountain meadows and valleys.

Hikes, Geology and Cycling Routes

For a shorter overview of the area’s geological features, try the 11-kilometre Great Haderholz Route. It runs between Seligenthal and Kleinschmalkalden, passing viewpoints and places of interest around Haderholzstein. The Kleinschmalkalden Volcanic Trail is described as a family-friendly hike and shares information about the region’s volcanism. Certified Geopark guides lead tours in Floh-Seligenthal and answer questions about geology, flora and fauna. Along the two Geopark routes, stone parks invite you to discover different types of local rock through interactive features.

Cyclists can also choose from routes with different levels of difficulty. The Mommelstein Cycle Path connects the long-distance cycling routes Rennsteig and Werratal. Its paved route passes through an illuminated tunnel, crosses the viaduct before Kleinschmalkalden and runs through a 170-metre-long railway cutting to the former Auwallenburg stop. If you are looking for a challenging mountain bike route, Floh-Seligenthal has a trail that leads directly to the Rennsteig. In winter, the 8-kilometre Bergsee cross-country ski loop winds through wintry landscapes and past Lake Ebertswiese.

Swimming and Local Culture

The swimming options include two outdoor pools with different features. The solar-heated outdoor pool on the outskirts of Struth-Helmershof has pools for swimmers and non-swimmers, a water slide and a children’s paddling pool. Kleinschmalkalden Forest Swimming Pool has around 1,250 square metres of water surface and 50-metre lanes. These details can help you make a swimming trip a focus of your visit.

For a special insight into local life, visit the traditional costume room in the district of Schnellbach, where you can learn about customs, traditions and the way of life of the local population. Kleinschmalkalden is also home to the world’s largest cowbell. It was made by local company Venter-Glocken GmbH, which received an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for it.

Festivals and Getting Your Bearings Locally

The Bergseefest at Lake Ebertswiese takes place every year one week after the summer solstice. The festival features music by local music associations and choirs, as well as a programme organised by local clubs. The village fairs in the districts take place every year from August to September; traditional programme highlights include dances and parades. The carnival season includes seven Büttenabende (carnival speech evenings) in Struth-Helmershof and Floh, as well as a large parade through Floh every year.

Floh-Seligenthal can be reached by bus and train. The tourist information centre provides local and event information, bus timetables, and hiking and cycling maps. When looking for a holiday apartment, it helps to first decide what you would like to focus on during your trip: trails and landscapes, cycling routes, swimming or festivals. This makes it easier to plan your outings around what is most interesting for you and your family.

More places to explore: Henneberg, Struth-Helmershof, Steinbach-Hallenberg, Walldorf, Unterschönau, Meiningen, Schmalkalden, Oepfershausen.

Back to the regional travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.