Discover Pennewitz: Trails, Church and Views

Pennewitz offers several distinct points of interest to consider when planning a trip: trails for hiking and cycling, a Neo-Romanesque village church, local celebrations and an airfield for sport and recreational aviation. If you’re looking for a hotel for your stay, it’s best to decide what you want to focus on first: would you mainly like to spend time outdoors, are you interested in architectural history, or should an event date shape your plans? The following highlights can help you match these interests with what the village has to offer.

Hiking and Cycling

Pennewitz is connected to the Pilzsteig and Lutherweg hiking trail networks, as well as the Waldrandroute, which opened in 2017. The village is a suitable starting point for easy hikes and cycling trips. This gives you two different options for planning your day: exploring on foot or discovering the area by bike. An information board for the Waldrandroute has been installed at the playground in Pennewitz.

Countryside and Views

The 499-metre-high Buchenberg offers views south towards the Langer Berg. North of Pennewitz, a panorama of the Reinsberge and Singener Berg opens up across the airfield and the Paulinzella Monastery Forest. The direction of each view is clear: the Buchenberg looks south, while the panorama north of Pennewitz takes in the Reinsberge and Singener Berg. Nearby, on the Langer Berg, you’ll also find the distinctive Fürst-Karl-Günther monument, considered a popular excursion destination in the region.

Village Church and Celebrations

The Protestant village church in Pennewitz was built in the Neo-Romanesque style and consecrated in 1867. Stained-glass windows in the altar area are another of the church’s features. Together, these offer a specific architectural style, a historical date and a distinctive detail in the altar area.

The Kirmesverein Pennewitz 2001 e.V. holds its annual Kirmes celebrations at the village community centre on the first weekend of November. If you’re planning a trip around the Kirmes, check the dates and current arrangements for that year in advance. The grounds of the play and sports field in Pennewitz are also used for local celebrations, including the annual New Year’s bonfire with refreshments.

Airfield and Scenic Flights

The airfield in Pennewitz serves sport and recreational aviation, mainly gliders, powered aircraft and ultralight aircraft. Scenic flights offer the chance to explore Pennewitz and its surroundings from the air. This makes a scenic flight a different way to experience the landscape than exploring it on the ground. If you’d like to include a scenic flight in your plans, check dates and availability in advance.

Ilmenau as a Broader Travel Destination

The wider travel destination of Ilmenau offers further hiking and cycling opportunities. Ilmenau’s local mountain, the Kickelhahn, is 861 metres high; its 21-metre-high observation tower is one of the city’s landmarks. The 20-kilometre Goethewanderweg connects places associated with Goethe, from Ilmenau to Stützerbach. The Lindenberg Trail Park offers three different trails for mountain biking. If you plan to visit the trail park, check current local guidance before riding.

In Ilmenau, the Münzkeller is right next to the Alte Münze and offers insights into the 16th century. The Bergmannskapelle on the Sturmheide is located in the heart of the former Ilmenau copper and silver mining district, below the spoil heap of the former “Gottes Gabe” mine. It houses an exhibition on Ilmenau’s copper shale mining.

Discover more destinations: Bösleben-Wüllersleben, Friedersdorf, Stadtilm, Elxleben, Herschdorf, Wolfsberg, Großbreitenbach, Behringen

View the broader travel overview: Ilm District.