Thüringen Forest

The Thuringian Forest has a lot to offer.

This friendly East German region continues to surprise with its old castles and fortresses, well-preserved medieval town centres and half-timbered houses. Its vast nature with mountains, river valleys, reservoirs and vast forests is impressive. Who wouldn't want to tour through such stunning scenery! Best of all, this region has not yet been massively discovered. So be silent!

The towns are mostly small, but particularly beautiful due to their beautiful architecture. The nature here is very varied and special. This has not escaped UNESCO: the Vessertal has been designated a Biosphere Reserve and Wartburg Castle in Eisenach is also on the World Heritage List. Moreover, this forest is the birthplace of many celebrities, such as Bach, Carl Zeiss, Goethe, Martin Luther and Nietzsche. 

The outward journey (first day) and return journey (last day) you will drive on your own initiative.

For today and also the other day routes, you have the choice of a short and long route. The short route gives you a bit more time for longer stops and/or sightseeing or simply enjoying nature and the surroundings. The long route offers you more kilometres in a beautiful area with even more winding roads for some nice steering. Immediately after the hotel, you turn right across the small river and past the old train station. You soon drive out of Ilmenau and into the Frauenwald. This road through this beautiful forest will be driven daily this week, even also in the opposite direction. It is a wonderful road to warm up for today. The route remains beautiful with still a diversity of nature, roads and pretty authentic villages. The hairpin bends are not lacking either and make sure you stay tuned! 

Today a route to the south of the Thuringia region. You will drive around the somewhat larger town of Coburg in a big loop during this route. Also for today, you have the choice between a short and long route. Besides the riding time, the distances between the short and long routes are also considerable today with about 100 km and almost two hours difference. You ride almost directly out of Ilmenau and into nature. Through rolling roads, you get into today's steering nice and easy. Soon you arrive at Kloster Banz. This huge monastery makes an imposing impression in these surroundings. Perched on a ridge, the monastery can be seen from afar in the surroundings. 

The long route is a considerably large loop extra of ±100 km. During this loop, you ride many extra curves and even some hairpin bends, which you can steer through wonderfully.  

For the last day route, we found a very nice combo between riding and exploring some culture. You drive along the most beautiful roads and you also have the opportunity to visit the museum, which still has part of the wall that separated East and West Germany for years. The route is smooth to drive, with no immediate worries about a short route that is still 271 km. The route continues to variety in views and heads towards the large town of Saalefeld. Named after the Saale river that runs through the town. The centre of this town has a beautiful "Altstadt" that is worth a visit for those who love it. Via fun, varied and challenging roads, you will ride the last part of the route back to the hotel. This part is similar to the last part of day route 2. But very worthwhile, so no punishment for taking this beautiful series of bends one more time.