Breitungen/Werra between Lakes and Culture

Breitungen/Werra combines a distinctive lake landscape with vivid insights into everyday history and church art. Nature and outdoor activities take centre stage in the Breitunger Seen Nature Reserve, while the local history museum and St. Mary’s Church offer very different discoveries. You can tailor your stay to whether you would rather spend time outdoors or explore regional history and culture.

Lakes, Birdlife and Views

The Breitunger Seen Nature Reserve has a 3.5-kilometre hiking trail with seating areas. These spots offer places to take a break along the way. More than 150 bird species live in the area—a remarkable variety for nature enthusiasts, although sightings of any particular species are not guaranteed during a visit. The trail and birdlife offer different ways to enjoy the area: you can explore the landscape on foot while also keeping an eye out for its wildlife.

Another highlight is the 20-metre-high observation platform on the Pleß. On a clear day, the panoramic view extends, among other places, to the Thuringian Forest, Wartburg Castle near Eisenach, the Hoher Meißner near Kassel, the Hessian Kegelspiel, the Thuringian Rhön, the Wasserkuppe, the Geba and the Dolmar near Meiningen. The view depends on visibility; on clear days, it opens up across a range of named landscapes and places. If you are planning to cycle, the Werratal long-distance cycle route follows the road towards Bußhof along the Breitunger Seen area. Check current route conditions before setting off.

Everyday History and Church Art

At the local history museum—Rural Customs in Breitungen, period settings recreate living rooms, bedrooms and kitchens, as well as a classroom from an earlier era. The different rooms offer insights into domestic life and learning in a historic classroom. Interactive stations in the writing room and the “Bauhütte” (building workshop) invite you to explore and try things out. If you plan to take part in these activities, confirm their current availability with the museum.

St. Mary’s Church in Breitungen preserves a work of art from 1518: its winged altarpiece. Carvings and paintings based on Albrecht Dürer’s Small Passion make the altarpiece a specific destination for anyone interested in historical art. Tours are available on Sundays after the service, at around 11 a.m., and by prior arrangement on request. Arrange a tour before your visit.

Visiting the Pleß

The hiking lodge on the Pleß has 45 seats and serves light meals and snacks at weekends. At those times, the tower and lodge are staffed by volunteers from the Breitungen branch of the Rhön Club. If you would like to include a stop for refreshments in your visit, bear in mind that this offer is available at weekends and check the latest information in advance. This way, the view, outdoor activities and the possibility of a break remain distinct parts of your plans.

More to Explore in the Wider Schmalkalden-Meiningen Destination

The wider Schmalkalden-Meiningen destination also offers its own points of interest for a more varied trip. In Schmalkalden, you can see nougat being made at the Viba Nougat World’s glass-walled factory. Hands-on confectionery courses invite you to pour chocolate, decorate nougat and create pralines; course times and booking conditions may change. The “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum, by contrast, focuses on industrial history: the blast furnace complex dates back to 1835, and locally mined iron ore was smelted there using charcoal to produce pig iron until 1924. A 45-minute guided tour explores the history and workings of the blast furnace. These regional examples are distinct from the nature and culture experiences in Breitungen/Werra.

Discover More Destinations

Oepfershausen, Brotterode-Trusetal, Roßdorf, Fambach, Obermaßfeld-Grimmenthal, Wasungen, Wallbach, Grabfeld

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.