Pennewitz: Forest-edge trails, village church and sweeping views

Hiking and cycling routes

Pennewitz is connected to the Pilzsteig and Lutherweg hiking trail networks, as well as the Waldrandroute, established in 2017. The village is also a good starting point for easy hikes and cycle rides. The named routes and activities provide a practical guide for planning: you can decide whether your stay will focus on hiking, cycling or a mix of both.

Scenery from different directions

The 499-metre-high Buchenberg offers views south towards the Lange Berg. North of Pennewitz, a panorama stretches across the airfield and the Paulinzella Monastery Forest to the Reinsberge and Singener Berg. The viewpoints differ, as do the named landmarks: the Lange Berg lies south of Buchenberg, while the Reinsberge and Singener Berg are to the north.

Nearby, on the Lange Berg, stands the striking Fürst-Karl-Günther monument, a popular destination in the region. It adds a clearly identifiable landmark to the surrounding scenery. Visitors planning their outings around landscapes and sights will find different points of interest in the area around their destination.

Village church and local festivals

Pennewitz Evangelical Village Church was built in the Neo-Romanesque style and consecrated in 1867. The chancel features stained-glass windows. Its architectural style, exact year of consecration and window design give local history a distinctive cultural character.

Recurring events are also part of local life: the Kirmesverein Pennewitz 2001 e.V. holds the annual Kirmes festivities at the village community centre on the first weekend in November. If you would like to plan your trip around this festival, check the arrangements for the relevant year in advance. The playground and ball court grounds are also used for local celebrations, including the annual New Year’s bonfire with refreshments.

Airfield and sightseeing flights

Pennewitz has an airfield for recreational and sport aviation. It is mainly used for gliders, motor aircraft and ultralight aircraft. Sightseeing flights offer a chance to explore Pennewitz and its surroundings from the air. If a flight is important to your plans, it is best to check current options in advance.

More highlights in Ilmenau

Ilmenau itself offers further opportunities to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. Kickelhahn, Ilmenau’s local mountain, is 861 metres high; its 21-metre observation tower is one of the town’s landmarks. Three different trails in the Lindenberg Trail Park invite you to go mountain biking. The 20-kilometre Goethewanderweg connects the places where Goethe worked, from Ilmenau to Stützerbach.

Ilmenau also has its own network of routes for winter activities: numerous ski and winter hiking trails run from Ilmenau to the Rennsteig and from Auerhahn to Kickelhahn. Snow and trail conditions can vary, so check current conditions before planning a winter outing. Cultural attractions in Ilmenau include the Münzkeller, right next to the Alte Münze, which offers a glimpse into the 16th century. The Bergmannskapelle is on Sturmheide, in the heart of the former Ilmenau copper and silver mining district, below the spoil heap of the former Gottes Gabe mine shaft. It houses an exhibition on Ilmenau’s copper shale mining industry.

Choose the right base

When looking for a holiday apartment, start by considering the kind of activities you want each day to include: Pennewitz offers local trails, scenic views, a village church and festivals, while Ilmenau has its own hiking, mountain biking and cultural attractions. Think about which of these you would like to focus on, and choose where to stay accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Altenfeld, Wachsenburggemeinde, Stützerbach, Gehren, Wolfsberg, Gräfenroda, Arnstadt, Geschwenda

See the regional travel overview: Ilm-Kreis.