Neuhaus-Schierschnitz: History and Trails

Discover Neuhaus-Schierschnitz through its local history, architecture and trails. The castle and local history museum introduce the town’s past; two GeoTrails and the route to the Gessendorf Spring focus on trails and landscape. The outdoor swimming pool on the B89 and a skate park are also part of the local scene. If you are looking for accommodation, start by considering what you want your stay to focus on, then check the specific location of each option against your plans.

Culture and local history

The local history museum is housed in a half-timbered building with a slate roof and mansard roof. The timber framing, slate roof and distinctive roof shape make the building itself a notable example of architecture. Neuhaus-Schierschnitz also has a local heritage room. Neuhaus Castle was first mentioned in official records in 1315 and has been a ruin since 1634. The museum’s architecture and the castle’s history offer different starting points for anyone interested in the townscape and its historical development.

Trails and outdoor activities

The Neuhaus-Schierschnitz outdoor swimming pool is right on the B89 and is surrounded by trees. If you plan to visit the pool, check the latest operating information in advance. Neuhaus-Schierschnitz also has a skate park.

The trail to the Gessendorf Spring branches off the Steinkohle GeoTrail by the castle. It passes through the district of Gessendorf into the Green Belt and continues to the spring, a popular destination for hikers and cyclists. The route therefore links a clearly named destination with a path through the district and into the Green Belt.

The Sandabbau GeoTrail has a different focus: At 6.5 kilometres long, it runs through the Biene forest, leads to a viewpoint overlooking Schottenberg and returns to the town hall car park via the district of Mark and through a meadow valley. Hikers and cyclists can enjoy natural, sandy paths through pine and spruce forests. In contrast to the route to the Gessendorf Spring, this trail is defined by its stated length, forest route and viewpoint. Check current trail conditions locally before setting out.

Föritztal: a regional transition zone

Föritztal is considered a transition zone where southern Thuringia and Upper Franconia blend seamlessly into one another. This regional perspective adds another way of looking at hiking opportunities to the specific trail destinations in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz.

At the Rotheul observatory, visitors can use telescopes to observe, among other things, Saturn’s rings, Jupiter’s cloud bands and moons, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies. Advance arrangements are required for observations and guided tours. As well as trails and landscape, stargazing is another distinct experience in Föritztal.

The history of Judenbach offers another cultural point of interest in Föritztal: St. Niklas Chapel was already standing there before the end of the 14th century; in 1455, it was expanded into a church. The region’s themes are therefore quite varied—from local history and forest trails in Neuhaus-Schierschnitz to the observatory and the historical development of the church in Judenbach.

Choose accommodation to suit your interests

Discover more destinations: Neuhaus am Rennweg, Frankenblick, Sonneberg, Scheibe-Alsbach, Lauscha, Spechtsbrunn, Judenbach, Föritz

Return to the main travel overview: Sonneberg.