The Rennsteig ski trail

Europe’s longest long-distance ski trail, which stretches on a distance of 142 kilometres, begins at Ascherbrück near Ruhla. The Rennsteig ski trail combines all of the 15 German Ski Association cross-country centres and attracts thousands of families and athletes every year.

Due to its elevation profile, the trail is suitable especially for ambitious cross-country skier, who are looking for a new challenge.

Length: 142 km

Starting point: Ascherbrück / Ruhla

Destination: Brennersgrün/ Lehesten

Altitude variations: 500 - 980 m above sea level

Ascent: 1961 m

Descent: 1799 m

Technique: classic cross-country skiing and partially skating

Difficulty: medium - hard

Using the parking lot near the ski area “Alte Ruhl” on the outskirts of Ruhla, cross the road towards Bad Liebenstein and follow the groomed trail to “Storchswiese”. From here it is only 2 kilometres to the waypoint Glasbach on the Rennsteig ski trail. Additional slip-roads for cross-country skier are: in the side valley Bermbachtal, at Kirchberg (behind the stadium), in Wintersteiner Straße (towards Geißen-Alm/Ruhlaer Skihütte) and from Aschhof. With good ski conditions the Rennsteig is groomed as a (ski) hiking trail from Ascherbrück to Dreiherrenstein and from Glasbach via “Ruhlaer Skihütte” (with sledding hill) to Meisenstein (as slip-road for the area Thal and Seebach).