Weimarer Land: Hiking Trails, Museums and Culture

In Weimarer Land, you can plan your stay around specific themes: circular hiking trails connect named towers and landscapes, while museums cover everything from bells and textiles to literature. The Thuringian Three Towers Trail is a circular route through the protected landscape of the Middle Ilm Valley in the southern part of Weimarer Land. It connects Paulinenturm near Bad Berka, Hainturm in Belvederer Forst near Weimar and Carolinenturm near Blankenhain.

Hiking Trails with Different Focuses

Other trails also have their own distinctive features. The four routes of the VitalParcours Bad Berka are Nordic walking trails through varied landscapes. The German Nordic Walking Association certified them as quality trails in 2011. The Goethe Adventure Trail follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein and offers twelve experience stations combining nature and culture; it also connects Weimar and Großkochberg. Stage 25 of the Luther Trail runs from Weimar to Apolda.

The routes can be distinguished by their individual character: the Three Towers Trail is a circular route, the Goethe Adventure Trail follows Goethe’s route to Charlotte von Stein, and the Luther Trail stage has two explicitly named endpoints, Weimar and Apolda. This lets you choose a hiking focus that suits your trip without conflating the trails.

Cycling Between Places and Themes

The Ilmtal Cycle Route passes through the Thuringian Wine Gate in Bad Sulza. Cycle routes between Weimar, Apolda and Bad Sulza combine nature, cultural history and regional cuisine, and are suitable for multi-day cycling trips. Cycling is therefore a way to incorporate several of these themes into your travel plans. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Museums, Art and Literary Heritage

In Apolda, the GlockenStadtMuseum explores the cultural history of bells and the region’s textile industry. Since 1995, Kunsthaus Apolda Avantgarde has hosted exhibitions by international and regional artists. Its events also include talks, auctions, book readings and film screenings. The permanent exhibition at Coudray House in Bad Berka covers 200 years of the development of spa and healthcare in Bad Berka.

Historic buildings and regional history are also featured: the Thuringian Open-Air Museum in Hohenfelden displays more than 40 historic buildings dating from the 16th to the 20th century. The Bad Sulza Saltworks and Local History Museum explores the tradition of salt production, which dates back to 1046. At Wielandgut Oßmannstedt, a memorial to Wieland and a multimedia museum offer insights into Wieland’s life, work and influence; the renovated estate is open to visitors. Check current opening and event dates before visiting.

Get Hands-On with Thuringian Cuisine

Seminars or training sessions for up to 80 people can be booked year-round at the Thuringian Dumpling Museum. You can prepare Thuringian classics at the dumpling cookery school and the potato pancake school. Booking and scheduling are required for the seminars and training sessions; the capacity gives you a concrete indication if you are considering a group activity.

Travel Planning and Hotel Search

For long-distance travel, Weimar is one possible point of connection: the city is linked to Deutsche Bahn’s long-distance rail network. Check specific timetables before your trip. Then base your next choices on the places and activities that matter to your plans.

Discover more destinations: Apolda, Bad Berka, Mellingen, Possendorf, Niedergrunstedt, Weimar, Bad Sulza, Auerstedt, Lehnstedt, Magdala, Kranichfeld, Hohenfelden, Nohra, Tonndorf, Gaberndorf, Kleinobringen, Blankenhain, Ettersburg, Ilmtal-Weinstraße, Kapellendorf, Niedertrebra, Schwerstedt, Berlstedt, Niederzimmern, Großheringen, Kleinschwabhausen.

Back to the overarching travel overview: Thuringia.