Schleusegrund on the southwestern slope of the Rennsteig

Schleusegrund lies on the southwestern slope of the Rennsteig, in side valleys at elevations of 450 to 800 metres. In the Thuringian Forest UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, it is one of the most appealing recreation areas. Its elevation and valleys give the destination a distinctive landscape. This makes Schleusegrund’s landscape itself a natural starting point for planning a trip. Specific places and attractions in Schönbrunn complement this impression.

Landscape and getting oriented in Schleusegrund

The certified Schleusegrund Tourist Information Office is located in Schönbrunn. There, the Schönbrunn Terraced Swimming Pool has a sports pool, a non-swimmer area with a stainless-steel slide, and a toddler area. These facilities make the pool a distinct consideration when choosing where to stay, alongside the hillside and valley landscape. Taking both into account can help you decide what to focus on when planning your trip.

The Hildburghausen district as a wider setting

The Hildburghausen district offers other landscapes to explore. The district includes an extensive, continuous woodland in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park, and the Vessertal Biosphere Reserve is another defining feature of the region. In the Rodachaue grazing landscape, the roof of the observation platform offers panoramic views across the meadows. Konik horses and Heck cattle contribute to the development of a natural landscape there. The district thus offers both woodland and protected landscapes, as well as a grazing landscape with its animals.

Museums and history

The Henneberg Museum Kloster Veßra is a six-hectare open-air museum with four themes: the history of the monastery; half-timbered architecture and everyday life in the Henneberg region; and agricultural technology and sustainability. The German Castle Museum at Veste Heldburg presents the history and culture of castles in Europe from the Middle Ages to the present day. Its permanent exhibition takes visitors on a tour through the entire fortress and shows how castle architecture changed from one era to the next.

The Zweiländermuseum Rodachtal opened in November 2009. Its theme is a journey through the 20th century in the Rodachtal border region. The surviving castle garden in Hildburghausen also tells a story of change: laid out as a Baroque garden around 1700, it was converted into a landscaped park around 1780. The Natural History Museum has a vaulted room featuring armour, two-handed swords and large-scale Secco murals depicting the story of Hercules, dating from around 1600. These examples offer varied perspectives, from castles and monastic life to garden design and regional history.

Walking trails and activities in the district

The Mill Hiking Trail in the municipality of Straufhain is about seven kilometres long and passes through an area where nine grain mills and sawmills once operated. Information boards at the former mill sites tell visitors about the facilities. In the municipality of Masserberg, which includes the districts of Heubach, Schnett and Fehrenbach, winter sports enthusiasts can enjoy more than 70 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, as well as numerous ski touring routes. Trail lengths and grooming conditions can vary by season.

In the Hildburghausen district, the Werratal Cycle Route runs through the Werra floodplains and is particularly popular for cycling downstream. The Werra Valley is suitable for hiking and cycling; downstream from Themar, it is also possible to go canoeing. The activities therefore have distinct focuses: mill history along the hiking trail, winter sports in Masserberg, and cycling or canoeing in the Werra Valley.

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Discover more places

Discover more destinations: Schönbrunn, Steinbach, Engenstein.

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Go to the main travel overview: Hildburghausen-Suhl.