Floh-Seligenthal: Nature and Tradition

Floh-Seligenthal offers a variety of reasons to visit: nature at Lake Ebertswiese, hiking and cycling trails, recurring local festivals and insights into local traditions. When planning your trip, it is worth considering the landscape and routes as well as seasonal activities and event dates.

Landscape around Ebertswiese

Lake Ebertswiese was formed by quarrying and lies between rock faces up to 30 metres high. Ebertswiese is a mountain meadow with several species of wild orchids and globe flowers. The Spitter also rises here; further along its course, it forms Thuringia’s highest natural waterfall, at 19 metres.

Water, rock and mountain meadow represent different aspects of the landscape here. If you are interested in plants, the orchids and globe flowers mentioned above offer a point of interest in their own right; at the lake, by contrast, the quarry’s legacy and the towering rock faces shape the view.

Hiking and exploring the geopark

The Luther Trail passes through Floh-Seligenthal and offers beautiful views of the municipality along stretches of dense forest. One specific circular route is the Höhnberg Circuit in the nature park: this moderately difficult trail is 14.3 kilometres long, takes about three hours to walk and has an elevation gain of 286 metres. Following historic paths, it winds through spruce and mixed forests to the mountain ridge, follows part of the Rennsteig there, and crosses mountain meadows and valleys.

The Great Haderholz Route has a different focus: covering 11 kilometres, it leads between Seligenthal and Kleinschmalkalden to geological features and viewpoints around Haderholzstein. The Kleinschmalkalden Volcanic Trail is a family-friendly hike where you can learn about the region’s volcanism. The distance details for the Höhnberg Circuit and the Haderholz Route help with planning your time; the former also has a stated walking time and elevation gain.

Certified geopark guides lead tours in Floh-Seligenthal and answer questions about geology, flora and fauna. Check the booking details before arranging a guided tour. Stone parks along the two geopark routes invite you to explore different types of local rock through interactive displays.

Cycling routes and a winter trail

The Mommelstein Cycle Route connects the long-distance cycling routes Rennsteig and Werratal. Its paved route passes through a lit tunnel, over the viaduct near Kleinschmalkalden and through a 170-metre-long railway cutting to the former Auwallenburg stop. These distinctive sections set the route apart from another cycling option in the area: a challenging mountain bike trail leads directly to the Rennsteig. Check the route and conditions before setting out.

For winter, the Bergsee cross-country ski trail is described as an eight-kilometre loop through wintry scenery and past Lake Ebertswiese. As it operates seasonally, it is advisable to check conditions before your planned outing.

Swimming pools, local culture and festivals

The solar-heated outdoor pool on the outskirts of Struth-Helmershof has swimming and non-swimming pools, a water slide and a paddling pool for children. The Kleinschmalkalden forest swimming pool has around 1,250 square metres of water and 50-metre lanes. Both pools are seasonal; check whether they are open before your visit.

The world’s largest cowbell stands in the district of Kleinschmalkalden. It was made by the local company Venter-Glocken GmbH, which received an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for it. The traditional costume room in the district of Schnellbach explores customs and traditions passed down through generations, as well as the way of life of the local population.

Recurring festivals can also be important when choosing your travel dates. The Bergseefest at Lake Ebertswiese takes place every year one week after the summer solstice. Traditional features include music by local music associations and choirs, as well as a programme organised by local clubs. The districts’ Kirmes festivals take place annually from August to September; traditional events include dances and festival processions. During carnival season, there are seven carnival evenings in Struth-Helmershof and Floh, as well as a large procession through Floh every year. If you are interested in attending a festival, plan your trip around the specific dates for your chosen year.

Getting there and finding your way

Floh-Seligenthal can be reached by bus and train. Check routes and timetables before travelling. The Floh-Seligenthal Tourist Information Office provides local information, event and bus timetables, as well as hiking and cycling maps. This lets you plan routes, events and travel using the information most relevant to your stay.

Discover more destinations: Rhönblick, Wasungen, Bermbach, Zella-Mehlis, Grabfeld, Christes, Altersbach, Schwarza.

Back to the main travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.