recommended route
Luther Trail: Section 01 – From Glasbachgrund to Eisenach
Hiking Trail
· Thüringer Wald
-
Luther memorial from 1857 near SteinbachPhoto: Metilsteiner, Wikimedia Commons Licence CC BY-SA 3.0
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.
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
9.3 km
Dirt road
12.3 km
Forested/wild trail
6.7 km
Path
3.7 km
Road
1.4 km
Rest stops
Hotel Glockenhof - EisenachGaststätte 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)
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. TIMETABLEGet 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 protectionDifficulty
moderate
Distance
33.5 km
Duration
10:00 h
Ascent
816 m
Descent
481 m
Highest point
563 m
Lowest point
224 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
- 59 Waypoints
- 59 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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