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Luther Trail: Section 03 – From Eisenach to Berka on the Werra

Hiking Trail · Thüringer Wald

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Lutherweg - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

Georgenkirche Eisenach
Photo: Paul Hentschel, Lutherweg - Thüringer Tourismus GmbH

Follow Luther's footsteps west over the hills of the Thuringian Forest and down into the Werra Valley.

moderate

Distance 22.5 km

6:20 h

245 m

416 m

421 m

207 m

The Eisenach – Berka section is part of the route Martin Luther took in April/May 1521 to and from Wittenberg to the Diet of Worms until his ‘kidnapping’ near Eisenach.

After staying in Worms and making a speech at the Diet, Luther started on his journey back to Wittenberg on 26 April 1521. On 2 May 1521 he stayed at the ‘Alter Stern’ guest house in Berka. On 4 May 1521, Luther was ‘kidnapped’ in Glasbachgrund near Steinbach and taken into ‘protective custody’ at Wartburg Castle. Here he spent many months and translated the New Testament from Greek to German under the alias ‘Junker Jörg' (Squire George).

Legend has it that the devil disturbed Martin Luther in his rooms at Wartburg Castle in Thuringia during the winter of 1521 and 1522. It is said that when the monk, so engrossed in his work in translating the holy word, was interrupted by the scratching and scrapping, he courageously grabbed the ink well and hurled it at the devil's face.

Author’s recommendation

In 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, be sure to visit the special exhibition at Wartburg Castle entitled 'Luther & The Germans', which will be running from 4 May 2017 until 5 November 2017.

Author

Paul Hentschel

Update: December 03, 2021

Difficulty

moderate

Technique

Stamina

Experience

Landscape

Highest point

421 m

Lowest point

207 m

Best time of year

Jan

Feb

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Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Rest stops

Romantik Hotel auf der Wartburg - Eisenach
Sängerwiese meadows

Safety information

The route is well developed and signposted. There are no further safety precautions to observe.

Tips and hints

3 Hammers – The full power of the Reformation

Wartburg Castle near Eisenach

Start

Thuringia Museum Prediger Church – Eisenach (223 m)

Coordinates:

50.974781, 10.317134

DMS

50°58'29.2"N 10°19'01.7"E

UTM

32U 592471 5647846

w3w

///popped.helps.running

Destination

St Laurentinus – Berka on the Werra

Turn-by-turn directions

Eisenach – Wartburg Castle – Sängerwiese meadows – Hütschhof – Oberellen – Herda – Berka/Werra

Note

all notes on protected areas

Public transport

Public-transport-friendly

Eisenach is easily accessible on the Deutsche Bahn regional and long-distance trains. The KVG Eisenach bus network goes out to Berka on the Werra and you can travel back to Eisenach on the 52 bus. TIMETABLE.

Alternatively you can travel back to Eisenach by train from the neighbouring towns of Gerstungen and Wildeck Obersuhl.

Getting there

Coming by car from the A4, take the exit Eisenach-Ost and follow the B19 towards Eisenach.

Parking

The carpark 'An der Münze' is located right at the start of the tour. LINK.

Coordinates

50.974781, 10.317134

DMS

50°58'29.2"N 10°19'01.7"E

UTM

32U 592471 5647846

w3w

///popped.helps.running

Arrival by train, car, foot or bike

Equipment

Sturdy shoes and hiking sticks

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Difficulty

moderate

Distance

22.5 km

Duration

6:20 h

Ascent

245 m

Descent

416 m

Highest point

421 m

Lowest point

207 m

Public-transport-friendly Scenic Refreshment stops available Linear route Culture

Statistics

Waypoints

Rest stops

Tips

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Features

Maps and trails

42 Waypoints

42 Waypoints

Distance km

Duration : h

Ascent m

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