Oberhof: Moorland Trail, Biathlon and Bobsleigh Track
Accommodation in Oberhof
Oberhof combines hiking trails, Rennsteig experiences and sporting activities. When planning your holiday, it makes a difference whether you explore a route on foot, take a break along the way or are looking for a guided experience. Winter ice rafting is also one of the activities available locally.
Hiking: Moorland Nature Trail or Sports Venues Loop
An 8 km hike leads from Oberhof to Veilchenbrunnen. Along the way, the route passes through the Schützenberghochmoor raised bog and its nature trail; there is also an option to stop for a meal at an inn. This tour combines a stated distance with two specific stops and a possible break. As trail conditions can change with the seasons, it is worth checking them before setting out.
The Oberhof Sports Venues Hike is about 12 km long, making it the longer of the two hikes described. If you want to factor the distance into your day’s plans, it offers a clear contrast to the 8 km tour to Veilchenbrunnen. Also check the trail signs and conditions locally before you set off.
Rennsteig, Biathlon and Bobsleigh Track
On a tour along the Rennsteig, hikers, cyclists and skiers can take a break at the Rennsteighaus at Grenzadler. Toilets, showers and lockers are available there for visitors and athletes. So, as well as the trail itself, this is a specific place to pause and orient yourself when touring the Rennsteig near Oberhof.
The Oberhof Luge and Bobsleigh Track offers a different kind of sporting experience: visitors can enjoy a fast-paced descent. In the winter months, they ride in an ice-rafting boat with nine other passengers. As operating arrangements may change, it is best to check the current conditions before your trip.
Visitors can also try biathlon in Oberhof: regular sessions, led by an experienced shooting instructor, give participants the chance to shoot a biathlon rifle and test their skills in a small competition. For specific plans, it is advisable to check the latest dates and arrangements.
The activities therefore differ considerably in character: on the hikes, the route is the focus; at the Rennsteighaus, it is the break along the way; and biathlon and the bobsleigh track centre on the sporting experience. Which of these activities you want to shape your stay may also influence your choice of holiday apartment in Oberhof.
Schmalkalden-Meiningen: more landscapes and attractions
The wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen encompasses four landscapes: the Thuringian Forest, the Rhön, the Werra Valley and the Grabfeld. They can be explored on foot for both sporting activities and relaxed family outings. This regional diversity adds a broader landscape perspective to Oberhof’s hiking and sports attractions.
In Schmalkalden, visitors can see how smooth, melt-in-the-mouth nougat is made at the Viba Nougat World’s glass-walled factory. Hands-on confectionery courses offer the chance to pour chocolate, decorate nougat and create pralines. As dates and booking conditions may change, it is a good idea to check them in advance.
Also in Schmalkalden is the “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum. The blast furnace complex dates back to 1835; local iron ore was smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. Today, exhibitions offer insight into the region’s nearly 1,300-year history of iron and steel goods production, including the well-known “Schmalkalder Artikel.” A 45-minute guided tour covers the history and operation of the blast furnace. Thus, alongside nature and outdoor activities, the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen also offers nougat making and industrial heritage.
Discover more destinations: Rosa, Roßdorf, Sülzfeld, Rhönblick, Friedelshausen, Wallbach, Altersbach, Viernau.
Go to the main travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
