Ruhla: Clockmaking History, Bauhaus and Winter Trails

Ruhla combines a long clockmaking tradition and Bauhaus architecture with nature trails and a diverse range of winter activities. This makes it possible to discover the town from different perspectives: on a walk with nature interpretation stops, through remarkable chapters of the town’s history, or outdoors on cross-country ski trails and ski touring routes.

Nature trails and winter sports around Ruhla

The GeoRoute 10 is a circular trail about 2.4 kilometres long on Breitenberg, Ruhla’s highest mountain at 697 metres. The nature discovery trail on Breitenberg features information boards about fauna, flora and habitats, and invites visitors to explore hands-on. Nature observation and information go hand in hand here. Another circular hiking trail runs around Ruhla and offers views of Ruhla, Thal and Kittelsthal. The two trails have different highlights: the GeoRoute includes nature interpretation stops, while views of the three places define the circular hiking trail.

In winter, other routes and facilities take centre stage. Above Ruhla, the Alte Ruhl winter sports area has five ski jumps of different sizes and a partially illuminated cross-country ski technique park. The Storchswiese cross-country ski area, with trails of 2.3 and 5 kilometres, lies close to Alte Ruhl. Ruhla’s winter activities include around 15 kilometres of ski touring routes and around 10 kilometres of cross-country ski trails. Use of the winter sports facilities depends on snow conditions. If you are planning a winter day around these activities, it is best to check the current conditions in advance.

Cyclists also have a designated route: the cycle path runs from Ruhla via Thal, Farnroda and Wutha. It connects the Rennsteig cycle path with the Thüringer Städtekette long-distance cycle route and other cycle paths. These connections may be a factor when planning a cycling tour.

Clockmaking history and Bauhaus architecture

The Watch and Clock Museum Ruhla offers an insight into the history of Ruhla’s clockmaking industry, from its beginnings in 1862 to the present day. On display are more than 1,300 clocks, 35 machines and 50 information boards. The collection brings together technical objects and the development of a craft that shaped the town’s history.

A single historic clock mechanism is the focus of the Clock Cube beside the Kulturhaus Ruhla. On display is the former 160-year-old mechanism from the tower clock of St. Concordia. Three former clockmakers fully restored it in their spare time. The Clock Cube is free to visit and open around the clock—a different way to explore clockmaking history than the extensive collection in the museum.

Another chapter in the town’s history is the Bauhaus ensemble, built between 1926 and 1928 to plans by Bauhaus architect Thilo Schoder. The ensemble included social housing, a town café, a consumer cooperative shop and a playground. The apartments generally had two rooms, a kitchen and a toilet. There was a shared bathroom in the attic for each stairwell, with its use scheduled by a bathing timetable. Today, the building is a listed monument. These details show how living spaces and shared facilities were organised together at the time.

Insights into the town, crafts and geology

The Nature Park, Geopark and Tourist Information Centre Ruhla is located in a renovated half-timbered building on the market square. Its exhibition features boards about the town’s historical development, settlement, crafts and geology. There is also an adventure cave, a model of a grinding mill and a rock puzzle. Together, these topics offer another perspective on Ruhla—from the town’s history to its geological features.

This focus gives your plans a sense of direction without making every day the same. Ruhla combines cultural discoveries with outdoor activities; choose your accommodation based on which experiences you would like to focus on.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Moorgrund, Berka Vor Dem Hainich, Zella, Buttlar, Hallungen, Schleid, Ebenshausen and Urnshausen.

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