Floh-Seligenthal: Mountain Lake, Trails and Traditions
Accommodation in Floh-Seligenthal
The Ebertswiese mountain lake and distinctive woodland and high-altitude trails give Floh-Seligenthal a close-to-nature feel, alongside local culture, seasonal swimming pools and recurring festivals.
Mountain Lake, Alpine Meadow and the Spitter
The Ebertswiese mountain lake was formed by quarrying and lies between rock faces up to 30 metres high. Ebertswiese is also an alpine meadow with several varieties of wild orchid and globe flower. The Spitter rises there; farther along its course, it forms Thuringia’s highest natural waterfall, at 19 metres. The same landscape thus brings together a lake, rock faces, an alpine meadow and a river course with a waterfall in different settings.
The Luther Trail also passes through Floh-Seligenthal. Running through dense forests, it offers beautiful views of the municipality. For a circular route with published details, try the Höhnberg Circuit Nature Park Trail: this moderately challenging route is 14.3 kilometres long, takes about three hours and includes 286 metres of ascent. It follows historic paths through spruce and mixed forests to the mountain ridge, follows part of the Rennsteig there, and crosses alpine meadows and mountain valleys.
Hiking, Geology and Cycling Routes
The Kleinschmalkalden Volcanic Trail is designed as a family-friendly hike and offers insights into the region’s volcanism. Another option is the 11-kilometre Great Haderholz Route, which runs between Seligenthal and Kleinschmalkalden to geological points of interest and viewpoints around Haderholzstein. Along the two Geopark routes, stone parks invite visitors to discover different types of local rock through interactive features.
Guided tours also cover a range of interests. Floh-Seligenthal’s hiking guides offer summit hikes, leisurely family walks and hikes featuring information about local flora, fauna and geology. Certified Geopark guides lead tours and answer questions on these topics. If you’re planning a guided hike, check the dates in advance.
For cycling, the Mommelstein Cycle Route links the long-distance Rennsteig and Werratal cycling routes. Its described route features include a paved section through an illuminated tunnel, the viaduct before Kleinschmalkalden and a 170-metre-long railway cutting leading to the former Auwallenburg stop. A challenging mountain bike trail leads directly to the Rennsteig; check the route and trail conditions before setting out.
Water and Winter Trails
The solar-heated outdoor pool on the edge of Struth-Helmershof has swimming and non-swimming pools, a water slide and a children’s paddling pool. Kleinschmalkalden’s Waldschwimmbad offers around 1,250 square metres of water and 50-metre lanes. Both outdoor pools are seasonal; check opening times before your trip.
In winter, the Bergseeloipe is an eight-kilometre circular trail through wintry landscapes that passes the Ebertswiese mountain lake. As this is a seasonal offering, it’s worth checking current operating conditions before you travel.
Local Culture and Recurring Festivals
Kleinschmalkalden is home to the world’s largest cowbell. It was made by local company Venter-Glocken GmbH, which earned an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for it. The Trachtenstube in the village of Schnellbach explores traditional customs, practices and the way of life of the local population.
The Bergseefest is held at the Ebertswiese mountain lake every year, one week after the summer solstice. The festival features music by local music associations and choirs, as well as a programme organised by local associations. The village festivals, or Kirmes, take place across the different districts every year in August and September; traditional events include dances and festival processions. The carnival season also has several regular highlights: it includes seven BĂĽttenabende (traditional carnival cabaret evenings) in Struth-Helmershof and Floh, as well as a large procession through Floh every year. Check the specific event dates when planning your trip.
Getting There and Finding Accommodation
Floh-Seligenthal is accessible by bus and train. The tourist information office provides local information, event listings, bus timetables, and hiking and cycling maps; check timetable details before travelling. When choosing accommodation, it helps to prioritise the experiences you have planned: a circular hike, cycling route, seasonal swimming pool, winter trail or event.
Discover More Destinations
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Back to the main travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
