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Germany

Thuringia

Rennsteig Ladder: Eisenach – Thuringian Forest

Routes

Hiking trails & Routes

Germany

Thuringia

Rennsteig Ladder: Eisenach – Thuringian Forest

Easy

4.8

(269)

1,241

hikers

Rennsteig Ladder: Eisenach – Thuringian Forest

01:07

3.79km

180m

Hiking

From the hiking parking lot in Mariental, the hike to the Rennsteig begins. Right at the beginning, it goes slightly uphill. The rest of the hike also leads you continuously uphill. You will overcome 180 meters of altitude difference to the Rennsteig.

At the entrance to the Drachenschlucht, a large wooden gate welcomes you. On the other side, the magical world of the gorge opens up to you. Waterfalls, steep rock faces that tower high into the sky and are sometimes so close together that the path through them is only 68 centimeters wide.

After you have walked through the entire Drachenschlucht, you will reach the Hohe Sonne. The Rennsteig begins here. At the Hohe Sonne, there is a bus stop from which you can get back to the starting point in Mariental.

by Eisenach-Wartburgregion Touristik

Last updated: June 11, 2026

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Thüringer Wald

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

913 m

Entrance to the Drachenschlucht

Highlight • Gorge

The Dragon Gorge is always great. In winter with the loud rushing water and from spring onwards it is incredibly green.

However, it is also very busy at weekends, so if possible, choose a weekday to visit.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.50 km

Waterfall in the Drachenschlucht (Dragon Gorge)

Highlight • Waterfall

Coming from Mariental, the small waterfall is located at the beginning of the gorge on the right of the path.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

1.56 km

Narrowest point of the Drachenschlucht

Highlight • Gorge

The narrowest point of the Dragon Gorge is 68 centimeters.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.21 km

Steep stairs

Highlight • Trail

Well, it's not quite that steep.

Translated by Google •

Tip by

3.79 km

End point

Bus stop

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

2.83 km

944 m

< 100 m

Surfaces

2.47 km

828 m

276 m

164 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Weather

Tuesday 21 July

19°C

8°C

24 %

Additional weather tips

Max wind speed: 18.0 km/h

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

February 28, 2025,Drachenschlucht

In the best hiking weather with rain and hailstorms, my husband and I ventured into the Drachenschlucht near Eisenach today. We parked in Mariental and took the bus up to Hohe Sonne. From there we went straight down into the gorge. One of the most impressive hikes that Thuringia has to offer awaited us. At its narrowest point, the gorge …

Showing Translation

March 23, 2025,Drachenschlucht – Elfengrotte Runde von Eisenach

The first part of our tour stamp hike today. As expected, it's very beautiful and highly recommended.

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September 26, 2021,Drachenschlucht Eisenach

Today, Sunday, made a wonderful hike through the Drachenschlucht in Eisenach. A special kind of nature experience, something different. A good 3 km are to be covered. From the Prinzenteich through the Drachenschlucht to the Hohe Sonne.

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August 25, 2022,Drachenschlucht – Großer Drachenstein - Landgrafenschlucht. 1. Teil

Beautiful tour through the Drachenschlucht, albeit a lot visited. The 2nd part is part of this circular hike, but Komoot put a spoke in my wheel and canceled it. So I had to restart 😫

Showing Translation

August 6, 2024,Drachenschlucht

Because the Forerunner was used to record the hike, the altitude information is once again incorrect 🤷‍♂️ Otherwise, the hike is highly recommended, but definitely not on a weekend.

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October 20, 2021,Tour

Very nice and above all interesting hike. There is a snack not far from the starting point (parking lot). In addition, you can fortify yourself at the finish point with another snack. "Above" at the destination there is also a bus stop where you can take the bus back to the parking lot. (if you don't want to walk down …

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February 25, 2023,Drachenschlucht bei Eisenach

We took the bus from Eisenach to Marienmühle and got back on the bus to Eisenach at the end point at Hohe Sonne. It was a beautiful hike in rain, snow and sun.

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February 5, 2023,Durch die Drachenschlucht

Go through the Drachenschlucht downhill, between the Hohe Sonne and Mariental public transport

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July 31, 2024

From the hiking parking lot in Mariental, the hike to the Rennsteig begins. Right at the beginning, it goes slightly uphill. The rest of the hike also leads you continuously uphill. You will overcome 180 meters of altitude difference to the Rennsteig.
﻿
At the entrance to the Drachenschlucht, a large wooden

Showing Translation

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Rennsteig Ladder: Eisenach – Thuringian Forest

Entrance to the Drachenschlucht

Waterfall in the Drachenschlucht (Dragon Gorge)

Narrowest point of the Drachenschlucht

Steep stairs

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