recommended route
Multi-stage route
Long Distance Hiking Trail - Panorama Trail Schwarzatal - Thuringian Forest
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The picturesque Schwarza ValleyPhoto: Paul Hentschel, Thüringer Wald
Hiking the Panorama Trail is a journey of joy and pleasure. Its 135 km of magnificent paths and trails around one of Germany's most beautiful mountain rivers, the Schwarza, connect the Rennsteig, one of Germany's most famous hiking trails, with the castle landscape of the Saale.
You have to climb from 200 m above sea level (where the Schwarza flows into the Saale) to almost 850 m before you reach the Rennsteig. Sometimes the path leads directly along the rocky banks of the Schwarza, sometimes it turns off into one of the quiet side valleys to lead from there to one of the numerous mountain peaks. Again and again, there are magnificent views over the Thuringian Forest, the Thuringian Slate Mountains and - in particularly good weather - even as far as the Brocken in the Harz Mountains.
On this hiking trail, you can collect digital hiking stamps (QR scans). With a personal stamp account, you will receive a certificate after collecting all stamp codes.
Author’s recommendation
Track types
Rest stops
Hotel Haus OberlandFlair Hotel Waldfrieden- Schwarzmühle
Safety information
Watch out for slippery and slippery places when walking in the Klamms. The watercourse of the stream is partly placed directly under the hiking trail. In case of ice and snow there is limited accessibility.Please behave considerately and quietly in the forest to protect the flora and fauna. Follow the instructions of the forestry staff and pay attention to restrictions due to forestry work.
Tips and hints
Flyer on the Panorama Trail (PDF)
.Rennsteig-Schwarzatal on the web
Additional material and background information on hiking in the Thuringian Forest can be found at www.thueringer-wald.com.
Start
Destination
Turn-by-turn directions
The trail is marked throughout with the red triangle on a white background.
It leads from Rudolstadt-Schwarza via Bad Blankenburg - Schwarzburg - Sitzendorf - Unterweißbach - Oberweißbach - Cursdorf - Meuselbach - Katzhütte - Scheibe-Alsbach - Limbach - Friedrichshöhe - Goldisthal - Masserberg - Altenfeld - Großbreitenbach - Schwarzmühle - Mellenbach-Glasbach - Barigau - Oberhain - Cordobang - Böhlscheiben - Bad Blankenburg back to Rudolstadt-Schwarza
Note
Public transport
Public-transport-friendly
You can reach the starting point of the Panorama Trail in Schwarza by bus and train from the direction of Erfurt, Jena or Saalfeld.The Erfurt railroad serves Bad Blankenburg station in the direction of erfurt on the EBx 47 and EB23 line. You can get information about the timetable HERE.
From Jena and Saalfeld, the trains of ABELLIO Rail Mitteldeutschland GmbH run to Rudolstadt station. Timetable information is available HERE
The bus connection to the next stop (Milchhof / Schwarza) is from the direction of Bad Blankenburg via the S2 line and from the direction of Rudolstadt with the bus 302 of KomBus GmbH --> Timetable information can be found here (Select the appropriate line)
You can also use the travel information of the Deutsche Bahn. Enter "Schwarza Milchhof, Rudolstadt" as your destination.
From the destination stop, walk east to the traffic circle and then follow the B88 southeast a bit to the start of the hike.
Getting there
Coming from the A9, take exit 26 (Triptis) and continue on the B281 towardsNeustadt an der Orla.Follow the B281 to Saalfeld and stay on the main B281/B85 westbound and continue on the B85 towards Rudolstadt.
Shortly before crossing the river Saale turn left onto the B88 towards Bad Blankenburg. After about 600m you will reach the hikers' parking lot.
Parking
Use the hikers' parking lot in Schwarza / Rudolstadt (NAV-LINK)Coordinates
Book recommendation by the author
Author’s map recommendations
TIP: Hiking guide Panoramaweg Schwarzatal: Scale 1:30.000
.Hiking map:
Book recommendations for this region:
Recommended maps for this region:
Equipment
Sturdy shoes, rainwear, carry enough water with youLocalization
Statistics
- 8 Stages
Start your journey around the picturesque Schwarza valley at the mouth of the Schwarza into the Saale.
From sluices, dams, teachers and the mountain railway ...
Down into the valley and towards Germany's largest hydroelectric power station.
Up to the Rennsteig - Steep uphill to the path of paths
Back to the hills through the deep forest to Mühlen and Albert-Schweitzer
From the heights of the forest back to the Gold River through the realm of the Olit Queen.
To new heights and the good herbal liqueur at 666 m.
Let the last views sweep back to the Saale - one of the most beautiful stages on the Panorama Trail.
Questions and answers
Rating
Photos from others