Neuhaus am Rennweg: Rennsteig, Glass Culture and Wooden Church

Neuhaus am Rennweg invites you to enjoy a stay that combines activity on the Rennsteig with insights into the history of glass and the past. The Rennsteig long-distance hiking trail runs right through the town; there are also cycling routes, museums and the Gothic wooden church. When choosing your accommodation, it is therefore worth considering whether hiking, cycling or culture will be your main focus. A day at a swimming pool nearby can also be considered as a seasonal option.

Rennsteig, Hiking and Cycling Routes

The Bogenpfad trail on the Rennsteig starts and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, close to the Rennsteighaus. The Rennsteighaus is near the hiking car park and Igelshieb railway stop. As a service station, it has showers, a toilet, a lounge and two outdoor bicycle boxes. If you plan to make use of these facilities during your visit, check them again beforehand.

At the town's tourist information office, you can book hikes on the Rennsteig and walks to historically significant destinations, with or without a certified nature and landscape guide. Check availability if a guided tour is important to your plans.

There are also several options for cycling trips: the Werratal Cycle Tour often starts in Neuhaus am Rennweg. The Rennsteig Cycle Route leads to Neuhaus am Rennweg, while the Schwarzatal Cycle Route reaches the town. For travelling with a bicycle, the tourist information office lists the Südthüringen-Bahn or a bicycle-carrying bus from Saalfeld as options. Check the timetable when making specific plans. The 54th Rennsteiglauf in 2027 starts at the sports ground by the Guts-Muths sports hall in Neuhaus am Rennweg.

Wooden Church and Glass History

The Gothic wooden church in the town centre was consecrated in 1892 and is one of the few churches in Germany built entirely of wood. Its windows feature geometric and ornamental stained glass, with the colours arranged according to the ripening of the grapes. This striking construction is complemented by a special detail inside.

At the Erlebnis Museum in the centre of Neuhaus am Rennweg, you can immerse yourself in the lives of the “Wäldler” (people of the forest). The museum explores the history of glass and the past of this Rennsteig town, and invites visitors to listen, linger and take an active part. The Geißlerhaus, located in the birthplace of Dr Heinrich Geißler (1814–1879), is also a museum that presents the history of glass and the past of the Rennsteig town. This means you can plan your day around architecture and local history as well as excursions.

A Seasonal Trip to the Forest Swimming Pool

The Bernhardsthal forest swimming pool is about 300 metres before the entrance to Neuhaus am Rennweg on the B 281 from the direction of Eisfeld. It has a natural swimming pool with a separate non-swimmer area, a beach volleyball court and a playground. As a seasonal destination, it offers a different kind of outing from hiking and cycling trips.

The Wider Region: Sonneberg as a Travel Destination

The wider Sonneberg travel region includes the district of Sonneberg, which lies in the Thuringian Forest Nature Park and the Slate Mountains National Geopark. The Museum of Glass Art in Lauscha traces the history of glass Christmas tree decorations, from baubles and other shapes made in 1860 to the present day. The craft of making mouth-blown Lauscha Christmas tree decorations has been included in Germany’s nationwide Inventory of Intangible Cultural Heritage. This regional perspective adds further cultural topics to your itinerary alongside the museums in Neuhaus am Rennweg.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Siegmundsburg, Steinach, Lauscha, Judenbach, Frankenblick, Steinheid, Sonneberg, Goldisthal.

Back to the regional travel overview: Sonneberg.