Kleinschmalkalden: Cowbell, Volcano Trail and Kermis

Kleinschmalkalden combines a striking visitor attraction with a circular hiking trail that starts and ends at the same landmark. This offers two specific priorities when choosing a destination: a special sight and a family-friendly hike. The local area is also shaped by two churches belonging to the local parish, as well as the kermis. If you are looking for a hotel, these interests can help you get started: would you like to focus your stay more on the Volcano Trail, local culture, or other destinations within the wider destination?

Cowbell and Volcano Trail

In Kleinschmalkalden, you can visit the cowbell, which is described as the largest in the world. The Kleinschmalkalden Volcano Trail is a family-friendly circular hiking route that starts and ends on Friedrichrodaer Straße, by the cowbell, at an elevation of 453 m. The attraction thus serves both as a destination in its own right and as a landmark for the trail. Check the visiting conditions before planning a visit.

Churches and Kermis in Kleinschmalkalden

The Gothaische Kirche Kleinschmalkalden and the Hessische Kirche Kleinschmalkalden both belong to the Kleinschmalkalden parish. The kermis is a church consecration festival and begins every year in August. Together, these local points of interest give your plans a cultural and traditional focus alongside the hike. If you would like to plan your trip around the kermis, check the specific dates for the year in question.

Hiking in the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal

In the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal, the moderately difficult Höhnberg Loop covers 14.3 km. The circular route is listed as taking around three hours of walking time, with an ascent of 286 m. Following historic paths, it runs through spruce and mixed forests to the mountain ridge, follows the Rennsteig for a stretch, and crosses mountain meadows and valleys. This makes it easy to include a varied regional hike, with specific details on distance, time and ascent, in your travel plans.

Mountain Lake, Festival and Forest Swimming Pool in Floh-Seligenthal

In Floh-Seligenthal, Lake Ebertswiese lies between rock faces up to 30 m high; it was formed through quarrying. Ebertswiese is a mountain meadow with several varieties of wild orchids and globe flowers. The two landscape features offer different highlights: the rock faces at the lake and the variety of plants in the meadow.

The Bergseefest at Lake Ebertswiese takes place every year one week after the summer solstice. It includes music by local music associations and choirs, as well as a programme organised by local associations. If the festival is important to your travel plans, check the specific event date.

The wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal also includes the Kleinschmalkalden Forest Swimming Pool. It has around 1,250 m² of water surface and 50-metre lanes. As it operates seasonally, check the season dates before your trip.

Discover more destinations: Sülzfeld, Rhönblick, Viernau, Brotterode-Trusetal, Rohr / Thüringen, Obermaßfeld-Grimmenthal, Kaltensundheim, Schwallungen

Back to the regional travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.