Discover Nahetal-Waldau: Hiking Trails and Local History

Nahetal-Waldau combines protected landscapes with visible traces of local history. Its five districts lie in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Vessertal Biosphere Reserve. Hiking trails, winter ski trails, churches, a mill and a water moat offer a range of things to explore.

Hiking Trails and Winter

Nahetal-Waldau has many kilometres of well-marked hiking trails, with views of a mountain panorama. The Schwarze Kuppe Nature Park Trail connects Hinternah and the Nahetal valley with Waldau in the Schleuse valley, following a route around Schwarze Kuppe.

Regular buses connect Waldau and Hinternah to local public transport, with stops directly on the hiking trail in both places. If you want to include bus journeys in your hiking plans, check the timetable for your planned visit. This can also help you choose a starting point for a tour.

In winter, there are groomed ski trails in Schleusingerneundorf. The local winter sports tradition also shapes the season: some children in Nahetal-Waldau learn to ski at an early age. Well-known winter sports athletes come from the surrounding mountains, continue to live there and train there.

Churches and Local History

The church in Waldau, built in 1624, is a special attraction. Hinternah is home to a late Gothic Protestant church with a 1614 Crucifixion group from the Franconian woodcarving school of the Riemenschneider era. Hinternah also has two other traces of history: a water moat dating from 1353, which extends as far as Schleusingen, forms part of the historic village centre. A still-functioning village mill is housed in the village’s second-oldest building, mentioned as early as 1575.

In Oberrod, the chapel dedicated to Saint Wolfgang is a place of interest. The Glasbachtal valley near Schleusingerneundorf has a forest swimming pool with an open-air stage. In Silbach, attractions include a village fountain and a bell house; the bell house was once the home of the writer J. Knappe. Silbach lies on the edge of the Vessertal Biosphere Reserve.

There is also a point of interest on the Nahetal cycle path: an information board there is part of the Nahetal project run by the municipality of Nahetal-Waldau.

Schleusegrund as a Broader Destination

The certified Schleusegrund Tourist Information Centre is located in Schönbrunn, within the broader destination of Schleusegrund. Schleusegrund lies on the southwestern slope of the Rennsteig, in side valleys at elevations of 450 to 800 metres, and is one of the most attractive recreation areas in the UNESCO Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve. In Schönbrunn, the terraced swimming pool has a sports pool, a non-swimmer area with a stainless-steel slide, and a toddlers’ area.

The Schwarze Kuppe Nature Park Trail offers a clear focus for hiking. In Waldau and Hinternah, bus stops are located directly on the hiking trail. Churches and historical sites in the districts add a cultural and historical dimension if you are looking for a different focus for your trip. Check the bus timetable if you plan to travel by bus during your visit.

Discover more destinations: Schleusegrund, Biberschlag, Schleusingen, Henfstädt, Heldburger Unterland, Ummerstadt, Sachsenbrunn.

Return to the broader travel overview: Hildburghausen-Suhl.