Discover Sonneberg: Glass, Geology and Hiking Trails

In the district of Sonneberg, fascinating insights into glassmaking meet hikes through a geologically distinctive region and winter sports in Steinach. There is also a summer toboggan run and beer-related activities. When planning your trip, consider which of these experiences you would like to focus on: the places and activities offer different priorities for your stay.

Between the Nature Park and Geopark

The district lies within the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Land National Geopark. These two designations give the region a focus on both nature and geology. The latter becomes particularly tangible on the Bleßberghöhle GeoPfad: it starts at the Bleßberghöhle Geopark information point at Schalkau station and runs for 17.6 kilometres to Seltendorf station. The total distance is therefore an important factor in planning your day; no walking time is specified.

Along the way, information boards explain the history of the cave's discovery and the distinctive geology of the Franconian Line fault zone. Karst features are also presented, including sinkholes, karst springs and sinking streams. The hike thus combines a clearly defined route with several geological themes. If you are interested in rock formations and how they develop, you can give these topics particular weight when choosing your excursions.

Hiking, winter sports and summer tobogganing

The district's certified hiking and cycling routes include the Iron Curtain Trail, also known as the Green Belt Border Trail. This route complements the GeoPfad as another way to explore the region on foot or by bike. The names point to different themes: the GeoPfad focuses on geology and karst features, while the Iron Curtain Trail is identified as a border trail. When looking for your holiday apartment, you can therefore first decide which of these activities you want to make the focus of your trip.

The Thüringen Alpin Skiarena Silbersattel near the slate town of Steinach in the district of Sonneberg is Thuringia's largest and most snow-reliable ski area. This offers a distinct focus alongside the hiking options.

Another activity is the summer toboggan run on Pappenheimer Berg near Ernstthal. There, a drag lift converted for summer use carries the toboggans and their riders 500 metres uphill to the starting point. The 500 metres refers to the lift's uphill distance. This makes the attraction clearly different from a hike with its own route and from winter sports at the ski arena.

Glassmaking history and regional discoveries

The Museum of Glass Art in Lauscha traces the history of glass Christmas tree decorations from 1860 to the present day. Displays include baubles and a variety of shapes. In addition, the craft of making mouth-blown Lauscha glass Christmas decorations has been included in the nationwide Intangible Cultural Heritage register. The museum and the heritage listing offer two different points of interest: the development and forms of the decorations, and the craftsmanship involved in making them. The district also lies along the German Toy Road, another regional connection to explore.

In Steinach, the Ankerbräu experience brewery offers beer tastings and a beer bath. This adds an explicitly culinary reason to visit to the region's nature and cultural attractions. If you would like to make a visit to Ankerbräu a priority in your travel plans, this interest may influence your choice of holiday apartment.

Explore more places in the district

For further orientation, you can also visit the town pages for Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Neuhaus Am Rennweg, Spechtsbrunn, Steinheid, Lauscha, Steinach, Sonneberg, Judenbach, Schalkau, Mengersgereuth-Hämmern, Goldisthal, Effelder-Rauenstein, Scheibe-Alsbach, Föritz and Frankenblick.

For the higher-level travel overview: Thuringia.