Oehrenstock: Waterways and Ski Touring Trails in the Thuringian Forest

Oehrenstock lies in the Thuringian Forest at an altitude of around 575 metres. The Oehre, a tributary of the Schorte, flows through the village; the 774-metre-high Kienberg lies south of Oehrenstock. Its forest setting, waterway and mountain range offer three different ways to get to know the destination. The village’s first historical mention and several ski touring trails of varying lengths add to its appeal. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether you would prefer to focus on the landscape, local history or a winter excursion.

Forest Setting, Waterway and History

Oehrenstock was first mentioned in 1311. This early date gives the village a historical connection alongside its location in the Thuringian Forest. If you look beyond activities when choosing a destination, this also provides a point of reference in time: the first mention places the village’s history in context, while the river and mountain range shape its landscape today.

Compare Ski Touring Trails by Length and Route

The three ski touring trails vary in length and route. If you would like to choose by distance first, the listed trails range from 8.7 to 16.8 kilometres. You can also distinguish between the routes by their named intermediate and end points:

• Ski Touring Trail Oehrenstock I is 8.7 kilometres long. It runs from the Oehrenstock sports field to Carl-Marien-Höhe in Gehren and back.
• Ski Touring Trail Oehrenstock III covers 9.5 kilometres. From the sports field, it goes via Hochzeitswiese and Erhardstanne, around Pferdeberg to Keynhaus, and back to Erhardstanne.
• Ski Touring Trail Oehrenstock IV is 16.8 kilometres long. It runs from the sports field via Hochzeitswiese, Ehrhardstanne, Keynhaus and Roter Stein to Dreiherrnstein and back.

Trail I is the shortest of the three described; Trail IV is the longest listed, with Trail III in between. This lets you choose a route first by length and then by its course. Before setting out on a winter excursion, check the latest trail and snow conditions.

More Nature and Culture in Ilmenau

The wider destination of Ilmenau offers additional, distinct nature and culture experiences. Kickelhahn is Ilmenau’s local mountain and stands 861 metres high; its 21-metre observation tower is one of the city’s landmarks. The 20-kilometre Goethewanderweg connects the places associated with Goethe, from Ilmenau to Stützerbach.

At Trailpark Lindenberg, three different trails invite you to go mountain biking. Check current information locally before riding, as facilities may change. For winter activities, numerous ski and winter hiking trails lead from Ilmenau to the Rennsteig and from Auerhahn to Kickelhahn. Snow and trail conditions can vary by season; the availability of these trails is not guaranteed.

Ilmenau’s cultural history can also be discovered at specific sites. The Münzkeller is right next to the Alte Münze and offers insights into the 16th century. The Bergmannskapelle stands on Sturmheide, in the heart of the former Ilmenau copper and silver mining district and below the spoil heap of the former “Gottes Gabe” mine. It houses an exhibition on Ilmenau’s copper shale mining.

Choose the Focus of Your Trip

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: are Oehrenstock’s landscape and ski touring trails your priority, or would you like to explore the nature and culture of the wider destination of Ilmenau? In Oehrenstock, you can compare the trails described by length and route; in Ilmenau, the options range from the Goethewanderweg to cultural sites. This can help clarify which aspects should guide your trip planning.

For the wider travel overview: Langewiesen.