Scheibe-Alsbach – Hiking, Reservoir and Biathlon

Scheibe-Alsbach is best experienced outdoors: in summer, the focus is on hikes of varying difficulty, trails along the nearby Rennsteig and the reservoir, with its surrounding woods and meadows. The area also has a long biathlon tradition. Your planned activities can therefore help you choose accommodation: do you want to focus on hiking, include a walk around the reservoir, or plan your trip around an event in village life?

Hiking for All Levels

In summer, Scheibe-Alsbach is a starting point for easy, moderate and challenging hikes along the nearby Rennsteig and on certified hiking trails. The well-developed network is signposted and includes shelters and rest areas. This range makes it easier to choose the level of difficulty you want for your hiking day, while the signs help you find your way. For specific routes, it is worth checking local information about trail conditions.

The Reservoir: A Circular Walk, Not a Swimming Destination

The Scheibe-Alsbach reservoir was created in 1944 and is surrounded by woods and meadows. It has been used for drinking water supply since 1968, so swimming is prohibited. Plan your visit as a walk and a chance to enjoy the landscape, not as a day of swimming. The circular path that runs directly around the reservoir is about 2.6 km long and offers a specific option alongside hikes of varying difficulty. As access conditions may change, check local information before your visit.

Village Life and Biathlon Tradition

The annual Zeltkirmes, or tent fair, provides a date to plan around: it is the village’s biggest public festival and takes place on the second weekend in September. If the fair is a reason for your trip, confirm the dates locally in advance. Scheibe-Alsbach also has a close connection to biathlon, a tradition that dates back around 50 years. These offer two distinct reasons to visit: a recurring September event and a sporting tradition that has developed over a longer period.

More to Explore in the Wider Destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg

In the wider destination of Neuhaus am Rennweg, the Rennsteig high-altitude hiking trail runs through the middle of the town. The Bogenpfad trail on the Rennsteig starts and ends at the Igelshieb sports ground, very close to the Rennsteighaus. These are additional specific route points in Neuhaus am Rennweg that may help you find your way around this destination.

Neuhaus am Rennweg also offers cultural attractions. 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 to reflect the ripening of the grapes. The interactive museum invites visitors to immerse themselves in the life of the “Wäldler” and encourages them to listen, linger and take part. In the birthplace of Dr Heinrich Geißler (1814–1879), the Geißlerhaus presents the glassmaking and history of the Rennsteig town of Neuhaus am Rennweg.

Discover more destinations: Schalkau, Neuhaus Am Rennweg, Spechtsbrunn, Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, Lauscha, Frankenblick, Steinach, Effelder-Rauenstein

Go to the wider travel overview: Sonneberg.