Frankenhain: Discover Hiking Trails and History

Frankenhain combines distinctive hiking trails with local history and culture. The Flößgraben is not only a technical monument, but also a very popular hiking trail. There are also historic sites in the village and varied landscapes nearby. This lets you choose between outdoor activities, natural scenery and culture on your trip, without every experience needing to have the same focus.

Hiking trails and landscapes

The Flößgraben in Frankenhain combines a walk with a technical monument. It offers a specific hiking destination whose appeal lies in more than just the walk itself: its technical history is also part of what makes this trail special. The Lütsche-Flößgraben is nearby. It too is a popular, well-used hiking trail and a technical monument; the route passes through a 38-meter-long tunnel. Each of the two Flößgräben offers its own reason to go for a hike, and the tunnel is a distinctive feature of the Lütsche-Flößgraben.

If you would rather focus on a stream and valley scenery during a walk, the Sandbachtal near Frankenhain offers a popular route for longer strolls. It runs along the edge of the forest, right beside the Sandbach; the Sandbachtal opens into the Lütschetal. The Thüringer Waldrandroute offers a different landscape: it follows the edge of the forest and opens up views of the grazing mountain meadows of the Rumpel, the cemetery chapel in Frankenhain, the Reinsberge near Plaue and the area towards Elgersburg. Coming from Crawinkel, the cycle path continues towards Frankenhain. These routes offer a range of specific options for an outing: a stream and valley, a tunnel, or views of meadows and mountains.

Local history and culture

The Frankenhain local history museum conveys the atmosphere of a bygone era. Another landmark building is the Baroque Church of St. Leonhardi. It was built between 1719 and 1722 and is dedicated to Saint Leonhard, the Franconian patron saint. Its interior is splendid and richly furnished. The war memorial stands in the Kirchberg dry grassland habitat in Frankenhain. Each of these places offers a different connection to local history: the local history museum gives a glimpse into the past, the church has its own construction period and dedication, and the memorial stands at its named location.

Nearby, the Historic Sawmill was restored in 2006/07. During museum demonstrations, visitors can see how a saw frame driven by a line shaft cuts logs into boards and beams. This technical process makes a visit a different kind of discovery from a walk or a visit to a historic building. Check the dates of the demonstrations before your visit.

Sports and getting around

Sports are also represented by specific facilities: the biathlon stadium and the 1.5-kilometer paved roller-ski track are used for training and competitions. The track is a clear example of the area’s sporting character, while the Flößgraben and valley trails offer a different kind of experience.

The Frankenhain Tourist Information Office is located in the municipal building in the village center. Frankenhain is a state-recognized health resort. Guests receive a visitor card in return for the spa contribution paid to the municipality. It provides free use of public transport with the Rennsteig-Ticket within its area of validity. Check the current conditions before planning your journey around it.

If you’re looking for accommodation in Frankenhain, your planned outings can help you choose the focus of your trip: hiking trails and cultural sites are the main attractions in the village, while the Sandbachtal, Thüringer Waldrandroute and Historic Sawmill add destinations in the surrounding area. This way, you can plan your trip around whether you’d like to spend more time hiking, enjoying the scenery or exploring local history.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Langewiesen, Pennewitz, Kirchheim, Herschdorf, Schmiedefeld Am Rennsteig, Arnstadt, Stadtilm, Frauenwald.

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