Oberschönau: Mountains, Rocks and Trails

Oberschönau is surrounded by mountains, and isolated rock formations are also part of the landscape. Hiking, climbing, mountain biking and Nordic walking offer various ways to make your stay active. When planning your trip, the distinctive peaks and rocks may be just as important as the activities you would like to enjoy.

Mountains and Rocks Around Oberschönau

The mountains surrounding Oberschönau include Hermannsberg at 867 metres, Ruppberg at 866 metres, Hohe Möst at 888 metres and Donnershauk at 893 metres. The Rennsteig runs along the ridge of Donnershauk, about three kilometres from the village of Oberschönau. This means that the local landscape and a nearby destination can serve as different points of reference.

The isolated rock formations near Oberschönau include the Zwölf Apostel, the Möstfelsen and Hoher Stein. Their names give the landscape distinct landmarks to help you plan your outings. Climbing is possible at Finkensteine and the Zwölf Apostel in Oberschönau. If you prefer to explore on foot, you will find well-marked hiking trails.

Hiking and Active Pursuits

The Oberschönau Rock Hike is one of the circular hiking trails in Steinbach-Hallenberg. Check current trail conditions before setting out. Oberschönau offers several options when choosing between hiking and climbing: a circular hike, named rock formations and two places where climbing is possible.

Mountain biking and Nordic walking are also available in Oberschönau. As you plan your trip, you can weigh up whether the hiking trails, the rocks or one of these activities should play a bigger part in your stay. These landscape and activity options give you a concrete starting point for searching for accommodation; what suits you best depends on how you want to spend your time here.

Culture and Places to Visit in Steinbach-Hallenberg

In the wider destination of Steinbach-Hallenberg, the Metalworking Museum offers insights into historic working life. Visitors can tour workshops preserved in their original condition and see how people worked in the past. The museum includes a nail forge, a corkscrew workshop and a file-making shop. The permanent exhibition “Ons Schdaaimicher,” which opened in January 2022, explores the way of life, the development of the local dialect and club life of the people of Steinbach-Hallenberg.

From April to October, blacksmithing demonstrations take place at the Metalworking Museum on Wednesdays from 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Check the dates before your visit. The workshops, exhibition and demonstrations each offer a different focus: you can explore historic craft workshops, learn about the lives of the people of Steinbach-Hallenberg or watch blacksmithing.

Hallenburg Castle was built around 1212 on the remains of earlier structures. A walk up to the castle offers views of the town and surrounding mountains. To access the tower, you may need to collect the key from the Tourist Information office. It is centrally located in the town centre, directly opposite the Metalworking Museum.

Another destination within Steinbach-Hallenberg is the Unterlautenberg Wildlife Park in the district of Unterschönau. A circular trail of about three kilometres runs through the park, where you can see red deer, fallow deer, mouflons and goats.

During the summer holidays, horse-drawn carriage rides to Knüllfeld and back to the town centre are regularly offered in cooperation with Fuhrbetrieb Falk Nattermann. The ride offers views of the valley and surrounding mountains. Knüllfeld is considered the hiking plateau of Steinbach-Hallenberg. Dates for the carriage rides are published in the events calendar. A large town festival, the Burgfest, is also held every five years in honour of Hallenburg Castle.

Discover more destinations: Zella-Mehlis, Wernshausen, Grabfeld, Altersbach, Brotterode-Trusetal, Rosa, Erbenhausen, Hümpfershausen.

Back to the main travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.