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Luther Trail: Section 01 – From Glasbachgrund to Eisenach

Hiking Trail · Thüringer Wald
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Lutherweg - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH Verified partner  Explorers Choice 
  • Luther memorial from 1857 near Steinbach
    Luther memorial from 1857 near Steinbach
    Photo: Metilsteiner, Wikimedia Commons Licence CC BY-SA 3.0
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Discover the Luther Trail starting from the place of Luther’s kidnapping walking along the southern slopes of the Thuringian Forest via the Luther family’s place of origin to Wartburg Castle in Eisenach.
moderate
Distance 33.5 km
10:00 h
816 m
481 m
563 m
224 m
The Luther Trail starts at the Luther memorial in Glasbachgrund. It was here in 1521 that Luther was taken into protective custody by the men of Prince Elector Frederick the Wise of Saxony and taken to Wartburg Castle. Going via Altenstein Castle, the trail takes you to Möhra where Luther’s father came from. Continuing past Wilhelmsthal Lake, you reach the Hohe Sonne site and then take the Pummpälz Trail north to Wartburg Castle.

“…no other town knows me better”, said Luther of Eisenach, the town of his school days and his later years and of Wartburg Castle where he translated the Bible.

Today Eisenach is known as ‘Europe’s Reformation Town’.

Author’s recommendation

A visit to the little Luther Church in Möhra is a must.
Profile picture of Paul Hentschel
Author
Paul Hentschel
Update: March 27, 2023
Difficulty
moderate
Technique
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
563 m
Lowest point
224 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec

Track types

Asphalt 27.88%Dirt road 36.84%Forested/wild trail 20.01%Path 11.16%Road 4.09%
Asphalt
9.3 km
Dirt road
12.3 km
Forested/wild trail
6.7 km
Path
3.7 km
Road
1.4 km
Show elevation profile

Rest stops

Hotel Glockenhof - Eisenach
Gaststätte Seeblick im Campingpark Eisenach am Altenberger See

Safety information

The route is clearly signposted. Please follow the signs with the green ‘L’ on the white background. Ensure that you have sufficient sun protection as the first part of the route takes you over open country.

Tips and hints

Altenstein Castle website (German only)

Möhra town website (German only)

Wartburg Castle website (German only)

visit-thuringia.com

Start

Luther memorial in Glasbachgrund near Steinbach (224 m)
Coordinates:
DD
50.974410, 10.319113
DMS
50°58'27.9"N 10°19'08.8"E
UTM
32U 592610 5647807
w3w 
///stardom.backlog.velocity

Destination

Thüringian Museum Predigerkirche church - Eisenach

Turn-by-turn directions

Glasbachkopf - Luther memorial in Glasbachgrund - Steinbach - Altenstein Castle - Schweina - Möhra - Etterwinden - Altenberg Lake - Wilhelmsthal Palace - Hohe Sonne site - Wartburg Castle - Eisenach

Note


all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

The starting point of the tour is located in the middle of the forest, but you can get there easily by bus from Eisenach. Take bus number 71 from the bus station opposite the railway station towards Bad Salzungen. TIMETABLE

Get off at ‘Ruhla, Glasbach’ and follow the Rennsteig Trail east. Not far away is a car park near the Schillerbuche beech tree, head south here and leave the Rennsteig Trail. After around 800 m turn right and follow the signs to the Luther memorial (Lutherdenkmal).

The end of the tour is also in Eisenach. To get back to the station from the end point, head east through the old town over the market square and Karlsplatz square.

Getting there

By car from the A4 take the Eisenach Ost exit and follow the B19 into the town.

Parking

Parking spaces are available at the railway station.

Coordinates

DD
50.974410, 10.319113
DMS
50°58'27.9"N 10°19'08.8"E
UTM
32U 592610 5647807
w3w 
///stardom.backlog.velocity
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Author’s map recommendations

Verlag Grünes Herz - Hiking Map Eisenach & Ruhla - ISBN 978-3-929993-14-1

Equipment

Sturdy shoes, hiking sticks, sun protection

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Difficulty
moderate
Distance
33.5 km
Duration
10:00 h
Ascent
816 m
Descent
481 m
Highest point
563 m
Lowest point
224 m
Public-transport-friendly Linear route Multi-stage route Scenic Refreshment stops available Cultural/historical interest Flora

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  • 59 Waypoints
  • 59 Waypoints
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