Discover Schnepfenthal-Rödichen

A history of recreation with clear milestones

Schnepfenthal was recognized as a health resort from 1900. Almost 250 spa guests were recorded there in 1924. After the Second World War, Schnepfenthal was designated a “state-recognized resort” and hosted 2,500 holidaymakers each year. These figures mark different historical stages: the number of spa guests in a specific year and, later, an annual number of holidaymakers. They show how recreation played a role in the town’s history over several periods.

Sights and local traditions

The old manor house is one of the sights in Schnepfenthal. Schnepfenthal is part of the wider Waltershausen destination. Sights in Schnepfenthal include the historic cemetery in Hardt and the Salzmannschule Gymnasium. The Salzmannschule therefore plays a special role in orienting visitors locally: it is a sight in its own right and also the starting point for the 5 km hiking trail. Those interested in local places and their history will find another point of interest here, alongside the hiking trails.

Long-standing festive traditions in Schnepfenthal include raising the maypole, sports festivals, and summer and Advent festivals. The local brass band helps shape the festivities. The customs and types of celebration mentioned range from raising the maypole to sports events and summer and Advent celebrations. For travel planning, they reveal a different side of Schnepfenthal from the trails into the mountains: community traditions rather than a hiking route.

Hiking trails from Schnepfenthal

A 5 km hiking trail leads from the Salzmannschule Schnepfenthal via Klostermühlenweg and the Reinhardsbrunn Valley to Klostermühle, the Reinhardsbrunn ponds, Lange Wiese, the Kallenbach ponds and the Sandlöcher, continuing on to Tabarz. This means that not only the start and destination are specified, but also several named stops along the way. The route starts in Schnepfenthal and leads to Tabarz.

In addition, numerous hiking trails lead from the Schnepfenthal district into the Thuringian Mountains. These two descriptions offer different kinds of guidance: the route to Tabarz is specified as 5 km, with named waypoints, while the broader hiking information gives a wider view of trails heading towards the Thuringian Mountains.

Culture in the wider Waltershausen destination

In the wider Waltershausen destination, the GutsMuths Memorial Hall Schnepfenthal is a venue for sport and culture. It provides information about history, nature, GutsMuths and the Rennsteiglauf, and has established itself as a gallery with special exhibitions. Outside the hall, information panels explain GutsMuths and his pupils, alongside trees from every continent. Cultural topics, nature and sports history come together here, adding another focus to the hiking trails and traditions of Schnepfenthal.

Choose the right focus for your trip

For families planning together, the choice can be guided by your interests: a specifically named hiking route, the sights in Schnepfenthal, the resort’s historical development or its long-standing festive traditions. When looking for a holiday apartment in Schnepfenthal-Rödichen, you can consider which of these topics will be the deciding factor for your trip.

For the wider travel overview: Waltershausen.