Discover Oberhof: Hiking, Sports and the Bobsleigh Track

When looking for a hotel in Oberhof, you can plan your days around activities and the season. The hiking trails vary in length, and there is also an opportunity to take a break on the Rennsteig, as well as biathlon and a winter bobsleigh run. You can first decide whether to focus on a hiking route, a break along the way or a specific sporting experience.

Hikes of varying lengths

The 8 km hike from Oberhof to Veilchenbrunnen passes through the Schützenberghochmoor raised bog and its educational nature trail. There is an opportunity to stop at an inn along the way. As trail conditions may vary by season, it is advisable to check them before setting out.

The Oberhof sports facilities hike is about 12 km long. This makes it the longer of the two routes: approximately 4 km longer than the 8 km route. This is an approximate figure; check the trail markers and conditions on site. The approximate distance can help you plan your hike.

A break on the Rennsteig

Anyone hiking, cycling or skiing along the Rennsteig can take a break at the Rennsteighaus at Grenzadler. The facility has toilets, showers and lockers for guests and athletes. This designated rest stop therefore offers both the chance to take a break and practical amenities for your stay on site.

Biathlon and a winter bobsleigh run

At the Oberhof Rennschlitten- & Bobbahn, visitors can enjoy a thrilling descent. During the winter months, they ride in an ice-rafting boat with nine other passengers. Check the current operating arrangements before your trip.

In Oberhof, visitors can regularly try shooting with a biathlon rifle under the guidance of an experienced shooting instructor and test their skills in a small competition. If you have a specific travel date in mind, it is a good idea to check the dates in advance. This lets you consider the winter-only bobsleigh run and the regularly offered biathlon experience as separate options when planning.

More to explore in the wider destination of Schmalkalden-Meiningen

In Schmalkalden, the Viba Nougat-Welt lets visitors experience the production of melt-in-the-mouth nougat in a glass-walled workshop. Hands-on confectionery courses include molding chocolate, decorating nougat and creating pralines. If you would like to include a course in your plans, check the dates and booking conditions in advance.

The “Neue Hütte” blast furnace museum in Schmalkalden is a blast furnace complex dating from 1835. Local iron ores were smelted there using charcoal until 1924 to produce pig iron. The exhibition covers almost 1,300 years of the region’s iron and steel goods production, including the well-known “Schmalkalder Artikel” (Schmalkalden products). A 45-minute guided tour focuses on the history and operation of the blast furnace.

At the Metalworking Museum, original workshops show how nails, pliers and corkscrews have been made for centuries. These regional attractions complement Oberhof’s offerings with nougat-making, metalworking and industrial history.

Discover more destinations: Trusetal-Laudenbach, Grabfeld, Wernshausen, Kaltensundheim, Birx, Meiningen, Hümpfershausen, Springstille

Back to the main travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.