Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thuringia's Primeval Forests of Tomorrow

Hiking trails & Routes

Ilm-Kreis

Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig

Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thuringia's Primeval Forests of Tomorrow

Hard

4.7

(123)

430

hikers

Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thuringia's Primeval Forests of Tomorrow

05:53

20.9km

430m

Hiking

Wild forest, colorful flower meadows and wonderful views make the Vessertal jungle path one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in Thuringia. You can find more information at https://thueringer-urwaldpfade.de/routen/thueringer_urwaldpfade_vessertal_-_thueringer_wald/

by Nationalpark Hainich

Last updated: July 19, 2024

Tips

Your route passes through a protected area

Please check local regulations for:

Naturpark Thüringer Wald

Waypoints

Start point

Parking

Get Directions

6.21 km

Schneidmühls Bridge

Highlight • Bridge

A historical place with a nice explanatory board.

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Tip by

10.7 km

Path of the Senses (Barefoot Trail)

Highlight • Trail

Very close to nature.👍

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Tip by

11.3 km

Shepherds' Spring

Highlight • Natural Monument

The shepherd's fountain is located directly on the jungle path below the cross oak

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Tip by

16.5 km

Forest Inn Zur Vesser

Highlight • Restaurant

The forest inn "Zur Vesser" is highly recommended, especially the freshly caught and deliciously prepared trout are an insider tip.

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Tip by

20.9 km

End point

Parking

Way Types & Surfaces

Way Types

17.7 km

2.99 km

171 m

137 m

Surfaces

17.5 km

1.99 km

909 m

354 m

162 m

< 100 m

Elevation

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

Highest point (730 m)

Lowest point (430 m)

Weather

Friday 23 October

8°C

2°C

12 %

Additional weather tips

Expect light wind and shifting conditions.

to get more detailed weather forecasts along your route

Comments

April 8, 2026,Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thüringens Urwälder von Morgen

In the Vessertal – on the go in one of the most beautiful landscapes in Central Germany

Today I was drawn to one of Central Germany's most pristine areas: the Vessertal valley. This special valley is part of a biosphere reserve and impresses with an exceptional diversity of flora and fauna. As early as 1979, the area was recognized by …

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February 1, 2025,[Thüringen | Thüringer Wald] Urwaldpfad Vessertal

On Saturday we went hiking in the beautiful Vessertal.
From Erfurt we took the train to Rennsteig station. When we got to the top, freshly fallen snow and clear, cold air awaited us.
The path led through the forest, slowly downhill. There were few people around, we only met someone in three villages.
The path mainly led along small streams. …

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August 3, 2024,Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thüringens Urwälder von Morgen

Lots of forest along the stream... good paths but unfortunately not enough visibility into the distance... Valley hike!?
Refreshment available and in hot weather! Good alternative...

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September 12, 2023,Thüringer Wald: Auf dem Urwaldpfad

Final in the Thuringian Forest. The name of the path today “Primeval Forest Path” aroused great anticipation in me. The landscape was actually very beautiful and the Vesser river flows wildly through a beautiful mixed forest. However, the route didn't really convince me; it was more of a wide path than a path. However, hiking here had something meditative, because …

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June 25, 2022,☀️Vessertal-Südkurve☀️: Wanderfee Geburtstagsrunde

After we hadn't managed to complete the Vessertal loop in one go due to time and weather conditions, the southern part has been on our list ever since.

Today we tackled it as a birthday hike. At the southern tip in Breitenbach we then treated ourselves to a gastronomic break to celebrate the day.

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August 9, 2025,Biosphärenreservat Thüringer Wald - Urwaldpfad Vessertal

Thuringian Forest-Vessertal Biosphere Reserve...a very beautiful loop. Starting under overcast skies in Vesser, we headed down the valley along the stream through the natural forest to Breitenbach. We met three cyclists and three hikers. In Breitenbach, we climbed back up the other side of the valley, where we took a break at the Stutenhaus with a delicious meal. From there, …

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July 5, 2025,🌤🦋💦Urwaldpfad Vessertal - Thüringer Urwaldpfade💚🌺🥾

Today's tour took me to the Vessertal valley, located in the core zone of the Thuringian Forest Biosphere Reserve. The Vessertal Primeval Forest Trail runs along the lower section of the existing Vessertal circular hiking trail. The 14.2km hike can be started from the small town of Vesser, as I did, or from Breitenbach in the southernmost part of the …

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July 20, 2025,Vessertal, fesselt mal und mal nicht

Today I'm on the primeval forest trail in the Vessertal Biosphere Reserve. Beautifully situated between the hills from Schmiedefeld to Breitenbach and back again. Scenically charming and praised by many. That's the part that really excites me.

What doesn't appeal to me at all are the forest paths... I'm spoiled by Corsica... Nobody cares about hiking trails there... except for …

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May 30, 2022

Wild forest, colorful flower meadows and wonderful views make the Vessertal jungle path one of the most beautiful hiking destinations in Thuringia. You can find more information at thueringer-urwaldpfade.de/routen/thueringer_urwaldpfade_vessertal_-_thueringer_wald﻿

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