Gräfenroda: Gnome workshop, local history and hiking trails

Gräfenroda combines activities related to handicrafts and local history with outdoor recreation, nature information and viewpoints. If you are planning a hotel stay, these varied themes can help shape your trip—from making your own garden gnome to taking a walk with views over the valley.

Outdoor recreation at the Alte Lache

The “Alte Lache” outdoor recreation area is on the outskirts of Gräfenroda, near Geschwenda, beside the Wilde Gera and at the foot of the Weiße Stein. The area includes a sports park, boating ponds and a festival ground. It is a starting point for easy and challenging hikes, as well as trips on foot, by bicycle or by motorcycle. You can combine a stay there with a variety of activities without everyone having to move at the same pace or in the same way.

The large boating pond is now used by the local fishing club and is also a popular place for walking and relaxing. The “Alte Lache” forest playground has double swings, a climbing net, a climbing spider, slides, a trampoline, a climbing course and other play equipment. As facilities may change, it is best to check the latest information before planning a visit.

Handicrafts to see and make

The Zwergstatt manufactory museum traces the origins and development of handicrafts across eight rooms and displays more than 400 selected exhibits. It offers both an insight into the history of the craft and an extensive collection to explore. The Zwergstatt Museum is not accessible to visitors with mobility impairments. Before your visit, check directly with the operator what this means for you.

If you would rather get creative yourself, you can paint and decorate your own garden gnome at the Zwörgshop, with guidance from the staff. Workshop and registration arrangements may change, so please check them in advance. At the Zwergstatt, you can also watch the craftspeople at work. Confirm the current visitor arrangements before you travel.

Local history at Haus Grevenrot

Haus Grevenrot dedicates ten themed rooms to Gräfenroda’s development from its beginnings to the modern era. The exhibition also includes a collection of church tower clocks from the former Kühn tower clock factory in Gräfenroda. The clocks provide a tangible link to the town’s former production, while the themed rooms span a broad period of local history.

Nature trail and viewpoints

The nature trail at Burglehne can be reached on foot in just over ten minutes from Lindenplatz in the town center, via “Zum Wolfstal” road and the “Hölle” field path. Walking time may vary depending on your pace and conditions. At the start of the trail, above St. Lawrence’s Church, an information board describes the flowering plants that can be seen in the nature reserve at different times of year. The time of your visit therefore matters for this nature experience: the flowering plants visible change over the course of the year.

From the “Kellner-Blick” viewpoint, walkers can look out over Gräfenroda and the Wilde Gera valley. The Kammberg-Glöckchen lies on the border between Gräfenroda and Geschwenda and can be reached on foot from various directions. The two destinations offer different ways to plan your outing: at Kellner-Blick, the views of the town and valley are the main attraction, while the Kammberg-Glöckchen’s accessibility from several directions is a planning consideration.

Discover more destinations: Neustadt Am Rennsteig, Ilmtal, Friedersdorf, Stützerbach, Wolfsberg, Großliebringen, Gehlberg, Behringen

See the higher-level travel overview: Ilm-Kreis.