Discover Rhönblick

Bettenhausen between Herpf and Geba

Bettenhausen lies at an elevation of 350 metres above sea level in the Herpf valley, south of the local mountain Geba. The Herpf stream flows through the village, where modern and historic bridges are part of the landscape. The valley, watercourse and built crossings sit side by side, giving the village its distinctive character.

If you like to combine landscapes and local history when planning a trip, you can make these features the focus of your vacation. When looking for a holiday apartment in Rhönblick, one simple question can help: would you like to plan your outings mainly around sights like these, or also include a range of other experiences across the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen? Your answer will give your stay a fitting focus without requiring a fixed daily itinerary.

Church of the Holy Cross: organ and architectural history

The Church of the Holy Cross in Bettenhausen has a Baroque organ by Ernst Döring. Its furnishings also include a Baroque pulpit altar from the same period. The organ case is decorated with figural and floral ornamentation. Its many details make the church especially interesting to visitors who appreciate craftsmanship, design and historic buildings.

The present-day church was probably built between 1617 and 1619 over an earlier Romanesque building.

More to discover across the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen

Beyond the village scenery of Bettenhausen, the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen offers a range of themes to consider when planning your vacation. In Schmalkalden, the Viba Nougat World offers a chance to see soft, melting nougat being made in a glass-walled manufactory. Hands-on confectionery courses focus on chocolate casting, decorating nougat and creating pralines. If you would like to include a course in your plans, check the current schedule.

Schmalkalden offers a variety of insights into the history of technology and craftsmanship. The “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum includes a blast furnace complex dating from 1835. Local iron ores were smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. The exhibitions explore 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 function of the blast furnace works. At the Metalworking Museum, original workshops show how nails, pliers and corkscrews have been made for centuries.

The surrounding landscapes also offer different options for day trips. The scenic region of the Schmalkalden-Meiningen district encompasses the Thuringian Forest, the Rhön, the Werra Valley and the Grabfeld; these areas can be explored on foot, whether for sporting activities or relaxed family outings. At the Breitungen lake area, a 3.5-kilometre hiking trail runs through the nature reserve, with seating areas along the way. The Trusetal Waterfall offers a different highlight: it plunges 60 metres over a granite formation in three cascades, while visitors can climb the adjacent 228 steps.

If you prefer to experience the water from a boat, the wider destination offers more options: pedal boats and rowing boats can be rented at the Kiessee lake in Breitungen. Stand-up paddleboarding is also available at Strandbad Breitungen, where pedal boats and rowing boats can also be hired. The river landscape along the Werra Valley Cycle Route makes it a good choice for multi-day bike tours. The Rennsteig combines hiking in the Thuringian Forest with discovering natural treasures; views and descents are part of the experience on the unpaved cycling routes. Canoe trips on the Werra offer yet another perspective on the river.

This makes it easier to decide which vacation ideas should take priority when choosing a holiday apartment in Rhönblick.

Discover more destinations

Meiningen, Walldorf, Christes, Erbenhausen, Birx, Rohr / Thuringia, Altersbach, Wallbach

Back to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.