Ten reasons to visit the Thuringian Forest

The Wartburg Castle near Eisenach is located on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest, and is a good starting point for crossing the densely wooded low mountain range in the middle of Germany — obviously only after paying a visit to the famed castle where Martin Luther translated the Bible.

Hikers are best off following the Rennsteig trail, the 170-kilometer (106-miles) historic border path through the Thuringian Forest, which is periodically marked with the letter R along the way. It is one of the most popular long-distance hiking trails in Germany.

At the beginning of the Rennsteig, not far from Eisenach, you will find the Dragon's Gorge (Drachenschlucht), a ravine that was already made negotiable for walkers back at the beginning of the 19th century. Its name also dates to this time; before that, the rocky gorge was simply called Steingraben (stone ditch).

German nobility also appreciated relaxing in the Thuringian Forest. Near Bad Liebenstein, the dukes of Meiningen built Altenstein palace at the beginning of the 18th century, and later expanded it into their summer residence.

The former forester's lodge near Friedrichsroda is a hotel and restaurant today. It already served hikers on the Rennsteig trails more than 100 years ago as a stopover "with impeccable hospitality" (according to local historian Johannes Bühring). Not far from the lodge begins the Spiessbergbahn, Germany's oldest bobsleigh and toboggan run. The natural ice track is still used for luge competitions.

Oberhof is the main tourist center in the Thuringian Forest. One of the attractions for winter sports enthusiasts is the almost 2,000-meter-long (1.2-mile-long) circuit in the indoor ski hall, which is unique in Europe, and can also be used by tourists and recreational athletes. Those who are not that fit can take advantage of indoor ski courses instead.

From the top of the Schneekopf, you will enjoy an excellent view over the Thuringian Forest. The second highest peak of the low mountain range at 978 meters (3208 feet) was a restricted military area in the former communist East Germany. Nowadays there is an observation tower, which even features a restaurant. Below the summit is the "Schneekopfmoore am Teufelskreis" nature reserve.

Like the Schneekopf, the Grosse Beerberg is a remnant of an extinct volcano. At 983 meters (3,225 feet), it is the highest peak in the Thuringian Forest. The Rennsteig, where one can enjoy cross-country skiing if there is enough snow, leads over the summit.

The Thuringian Forest also has a long tradition in motor vehicle construction. A museum in the Congress Centre in Suhl has been dedicated to this tradition since 2007. It shows about 170 vehicles from bicycles to racing cars. In the center, of course, are mopeds and motorcycles manufactured by Simson, the largest producer of motorbikes in Germany to date.

The Kickelhahn mountain near Ilmenau was a popular hunting ground of the Weimar court society. Even Johann Wolfgang von Goethe frequently used the Kickelhahn for hikes during his years as privy councilor in Weimar. The Goethe House (pictured here) below the summit serves as a reminder of this. Inside you can read a plaque with his poem " Wanderers Nightsong" (Wanderers Nachtlied) in 15 languages.