Lichtenau on the eastern bank of the Schleuse

Lichtenau lies on the eastern bank of the Schleuse, just upstream from the confluence with the Biberbach. Two clear reference points help you get your bearings: the river’s east bank and the nearby stream confluence. This location provides a local framework for planning your trip. There are also trails that include Lichtenau in excursions from Schönbrunn. This makes it possible to discover the village both through its location by the water and by hiking and cycling trails.

Hiking and cycling routes with different layouts

The 10-kilometre circular hiking trail “Schönbrunn Circular Trail – Steinbach-Langenbach Open-Air Theatre – Schönbrunn” passes through Lichtenau. The sequence of names lists Schönbrunn at the beginning and end, with the Steinbach-Langenbach Open-Air Theatre in between. Lichtenau lies along this described loop. The distance gives you a tangible sense of the hike, while the named stops make the route easy to picture. This means that your day’s itinerary can focus not only on the village itself, but also on the opportunity to experience it as part of a circular trail.

The Schleusetal Cycle Route takes a different approach: From Schönbrunn, it follows the former Gründerla railway line to Lichtenau. The two routes differ in their mode of travel and layout: one is a 10-kilometre circular hike, while the other is a cycling route along the former railway line. This historical connection is a distinctive feature of the cycle route. Check the current conditions on your chosen route before setting off. When looking for accommodation, deciding between hiking and cycling can be a useful starting point for planning your trip.

Schleusegrund as a wider landscape setting

The wider travel destination of Schleusegrund offers a perspective that extends beyond Lichtenau. Schleusegrund lies on the southwestern slope of the Rennsteig, in side valleys at elevations of 450 to 800 metres, and within the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve. This is a different geographical scale from Lichtenau on the eastern bank of the Schleuse: the river and stream provide the points of reference for the village, while the Rennsteig, side valleys and elevation range are important reference points for the region. Schleusegrund is also described as one of the most attractive recreational areas in the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve.

Pronounced nocturnal cold-air dynamics have been observed in the Bibergrund between Masserberg on the Rennsteig and the village of Lichtenau in the municipality of Schleusegrund. This finding adds a specific natural process in the Bibergrund to the regional landscape perspective. The area can therefore be understood both in terms of Schleusegrund’s broader location and a distinctive feature of this landscape.

The certified Schleusegrund Tourist Information Centre is also located in Schönbrunn. Schönbrunn is also home to the Terrassenbad outdoor pool, with a sports pool, a non-swimmers’ area with a stainless-steel slide, and a toddlers’ area. These places broaden the view of the wider travel destination of Schleusegrund beyond its hiking and cycling trails.

Discover more destinations: Oberstadt, Erlau, Henfstädt, Sankt Kilian, Ummerstadt, Suhl, Römhild, Schleusingen.

Go to the overview of the wider travel area: Hildburghausen-Suhl.