Steinheid: Mining History, Kieferle and Crafts

Steinheid lies on the ridge of the Thuringian Slate Mountains. Kieferle is Steinheid’s local mountain and rises 868 m above the district. This landscape comes with clear themes to help you plan your trip: trails that start in Steinheid or lead back there, a long mining history and crafts that visitors can experience locally. Steinheid can therefore be discovered through its location, its history and the activities mentioned here.

The Ridge, Kieferle and Hiking Trails

The 6-Kuppen-Steig leads from Steinheid into the Steinach valley or along the Sandlinie to the Fellbergbaude. This circular hiking trail connects Neuhaus, Lauscha, Steinach and Steinheid. Its six namesake peaks are each over 800 m high: Bornhügel, Pappenheimer Berg, Großer Tierberg, Fellberg, Kieferle and Rollkopf. The peak names and the stated directions provide a clear sense of orientation without reducing the two described routes to a single direction.

Another route description follows the Goldpfad: it passes through the Andruff valley on its way back to Steinheid. Nearby, the Frankenblick on the southern slope of Fellberg offers distant views. This gives you different landscape features to consider when planning your trip: the ridge and the local mountain in town, the routes mentioned here, and a viewpoint nearby.

Mining History and Change

Steinheid was first mentioned in a document in 1362 as “die steynerne Heyde” in a feudal charter issued by the Margrave of Meissen. Gold mining was once carried out in the town in particular; in 1530, Steinheid was elevated to the status of a free mining town. Mining operations, with 51 mines, were completely destroyed during the Thirty Years’ War. After this turning point, glassblowing and box making became important supplier trades for the Olitäten trade.

This sequence brings the town’s transformation into focus: a period when gold mining was especially important was followed by other trades involving their own craft activities. Steinheid’s history spans several chapters: its first documented mention in 1362, its later elevation to the status of a free mining town, the destruction of the mines and the importance of other crafts.

Crafts Visitors Can Experience

At several small craft businesses in Steinheid, visitors can watch craftspeople at work. There is also a factory outlet for Christmas decorations and a small hand-painting studio. Special requests are fulfilled there, such as painted baubles or slate plaques for special occasions. This lets visitors discover local crafts not only as part of the town’s history, but also through specific work and products.

If you plan to visit the factory outlet or the hand-painting studio, check in advance when visits are possible. This way, you can make a specific plan to include this stop. Historic glassblowing and box making, on the one hand, and today’s craft businesses, on the other, offer two different ways to explore the subject of craftsmanship.

Steinheid as a Place to Search for Your Trip

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider which aspects of the town matter most for your stay. The ridge of the Thuringian Slate Mountains and Kieferle give the area a strong landscape focus; the 6-Kuppen-Steig and the Goldpfad offer named routes. Craft businesses, the factory outlet and local history offer a different perspective. If you include the start of the 6-Kuppen-Steig in Steinheid in your plans, it also gives you a specific reference point when looking for a holiday apartment in town.

You can also tailor your trip to the interests of everyone travelling with you: some may plan around the trail destinations and landscape, while others may want to set aside more time for crafts or history. The facts about Steinheid offer several different points of interest without requiring any one holiday theme to take centre stage.

Culture in the Wider Destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg

In the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg, the Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail runs right through the town. The Erlebnis Museum there presents the history of glass and the Rennsteig town, and lets visitors immerse themselves in the lives of the “Wäldler” (forest dwellers). The Gothic wooden church in the centre of Neuhaus am Rennweg was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few churches in Germany built entirely of wood. These cultural attractions relate to Neuhaus am Rennweg and offer a distinct additional perspective within the wider destination.

Discover more destinations: Frankenblick, Spechtsbrunn, Goldisthal, Föritz, Lauscha, Neuhaus am Rennweg, Effelder-Rauenstein, Steinach

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Sonneberg.