Landscapes
Thuringian Slate Mountains - Franconian Forest
Upper Saale Valley
Thuringian Slate Mountains - Franconian Forest
Rennsteig and its forests
One of the most famous German trails is the "Rennsteig". This historic ridge trail cuts through the park starting in Blankenstein to Wetzstein peak (792 m above sea-level) near Lehesten. After a total length of 168 km the trail ends near Eisenach.
The monument "Der Rennsteigwanderer" greets the Rennsteig hiker at the train station in Blankenstein.
Higher elevations of Franconian Forest and Thuringian Slate Mountains are covered with coniferous forests. Their silence and extent are valued attributes for many passionate hikers.
Forestry and manufacture of wood-products constitute an important share of the local economy. Due to harsh climate and past forest practices spruce monocultures dominate.
