Saaleck Castle – It is the Saale valley loop from Großheringen

Hiking trails & Routes

Weimarer Land

Großheringen

Saaleck Castle – It is the Saale valley loop from Großheringen

Moderate

4.5

(49)

139

hikers

Saaleck Castle – It is the Saale valley loop from Großheringen

04:56

18.0km

280m

Hiking

Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels. The starting point of the route is accessible with public transport.

Last updated: September 26, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through protected areas

Please check local regulations for:

Saale-Ilm-Platten bei Bad Kösen

Waypoints

Start point

Train Station

Get Directions

5.57 km

Saaleck Castle

Highlight • Castle

Saaleck Castle is the older of the two castles. It was built around 1050 as a border castle to protect a trade route. It has been uninhabited and derelict since 1585.

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6.57 km

View of Rudelsburg and Saaleck castles

Highlight • Viewpoint

Here, near the Rudelsburg, you can linger and enjoy the view of the Saale valley.

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6.63 km

Lion Monument near the Rudelsburg

Highlight • Monument

A unique lion statue that is embedded in the backdrop of a quarry and commemorates the fallen of the First World War.

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6.76 km

View of Rudelsburg and Saaleck Castles

Highlight • Viewpoint

here you will find a bench to take a break.

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10.2 km

Bad Kösen Weir

Highlight • Structure

Saale weir 🦊💚

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13.4 km

It is the Saale valley

Highlight • Viewpoint

on the lower sky path you have this beautiful view of the Saale

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13.8 km

View of the Saale Valley and the castle ruins from Himmelreich

Highlight • Viewpoint

There is a bench to rest on and those who dare and have a head for heights can look at the edge. The path below is worth walking.

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14.1 km

Himmelreich rock outcrop on the Saale River

Highlight (Segment) • Natural Monument

Amazing how big it was and the layers of shell limestone are just impressive.
Also, the ways to fall in love.

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16.2 km

Viewpoint

18.0 km

End point

Train Station

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

9.77 km

3.40 km

2.46 km

1.80 km

424 m

160 m

Surfaces

5.05 km

4.07 km

3.16 km

3.10 km

2.44 km

203 m

Elevation

Nothing selected – click and drag below to see the stats for a specific part of the route.

Highest point (190 m)

Lowest point (110 m)

Weather

Friday 9 October

15°C

9°C

34 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 19.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

December 7, 2022,Runde von Großheringen über’s Himmelreich, den Finneweg und die Rudelsburg

Due to a missing pedestrian bridge over the Saale in Bad Kösen, our tour was 3km longer. But otherwise a nice round with a great break on the Rudelsburg - not least because the little dog was allowed in too.

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December 7, 2022,Bad Kösen – Rudelsburg - Runde von Großheringen

This Wednesday we hiked a round from Großheringen. First we went to the kingdom of heaven, then to Bad Kösen. To our surprise, the pedestrian bridge over the Saale no longer exists, which extended the tour by 3 km. Stop at the Rudelsburg restaurant and return to Großheringen. From there you can travel to and from Erfurt with the VMT …

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May 8, 2022,Zwei Burgen und ein Himmelsreich

A beautiful and easy hike, with numerous beautiful views and cozy places to stop. A classic in the Saale-Unstrut area, which, apart from the two castles, is not overcrowded even in May.

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February 18, 2024,Burg Saaleck – Aussichtspunkt "Himmelreich" Runde von Bad Kösen

Highly recommended, wonderful tour with start and finish point in Bad Kösen. Lots of history and great viewpoints along the way. Total about 20km because the battery was empty. This area will definitely remain in the portfolio.

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October 15, 2023,Himmelreichweg

Started in Bad Kösen and did a nice Sunday lap on the Himmelreichweg.
After the major construction site, the path was really wild through the forest, but was worth it for the picturesque view of the Saale Valley.

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May 13, 2023,Packrafttour auf der Saale

The starting point of our hike this time was Bad Kösen. From there we hiked over the Rudelsburg to Kaatschen and finally paddled back to the starting point.

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