The cycle path "Thuringian City Chain" leads from Eisenach above Gotha, Erfurt, Weimar, Jena, Gera until after Altenburg. There is a lot of culture to discover over 225 km. However, the development status of the route is still very different. While in the Gera and Ronneburg area, for example, the route was prepared at great expense for the BUGA, there are still gaps in development in Central Thuringia.
The cycle path is part of the D4 im to Ronneburg Bike network for Germany.
Route profile
- Length: 228 km (Eisenach - Altenburg)
- Signposting: Good standard-compliant signposting, with sometimes rare intermediate signposts.
- Slopes: The route is partly mountainous.
- Path condition: Differently. 80% asphalt. Partly coarse cobblestone that forces you to dismount.
- Traffic load: frequent stretches of rural road. Route rarely calm.
- Suitable bike: Best touring bikes with tread tires and gearshift suitable for mountains
- Family suitability: - hardly suitable because of too much traffic.
- Inline suitability: consistently no
background
preparation
getting there
Public transportation
- Eisenach main station on the ICE route Frankfurt - Dresden, also individual IC's with bicycle transport to Berlin and Stralsund that requires reservation.
By bicycle
- connection Werratal cycle path at Hörschel: Even if the "Thuringian city chain" only begins in Eisenach, you can easily cycle along the Hörsel river from the Werra to Eisenach (approx. 10 km; signs are available)
In the street
Route description with sights
The stage positions are dimensioned so that even beginners can manage them without any problems. In the afternoon you can then take a look at the respective stage city. Sporty cyclists can easily combine two or three stages. But there is only little time left for the many sights.
connection Werratal cycle path at Hörschel
On the Herkules-Wartburg cycle path you can cycle along the Hörsel river from the Werra to Eisenach (approx. 10 km).
Immediately after leaving Hörschel there is the "sticking point" of the route to Eisenach. The gravelled bike path owns one here steep, winding hill (approx. 20-25 meters in altitude). Careful driving is advisable here. A safety net was even stretched (as is also known from ski slopes). This is to prevent you from "rolling down" the steep slope in the direction of Hörschel in the event of a fall.
Eisenach - Gotha: 36 km
- Eisenach - It starts at the City Palace. After a one-way street you come to the train station and leave the town in the direction of
- Wutha Farnroda
- Sättelstädt - Train station, snack bar
- Gotha
Gotha - Erfurt: 38 km
- → Connection to the Apfelstädt cycle path to Tambach-Dietharz
- Three of a kind (Mühlberg and Wandersleben)
- Nesse-Apfelstädt (Neudietendorf)
- Erfurt - historical old town with many sights
Erfurt - Weimar: 26 km
- → Connection to the Ilmtal cycle path.
Weimar - Jena: 25 km
- → Connection to the Saale cycle path.
Jena - Gera: 56 km
More demanding stage with various gradients.
- → Connection to the Elster cycle path to Leipzig
- Bad Köstritz
- Gera - The Federal Garden Show 2007 took place here.
Gera - Altenburg: 44 km
- Gera
- Ronneburg - also location of the Federal Horticultural Show 2007; east of Ronneburg there is a connection to the Posterstein Saxon city route at Crimmitschau.
- Schmoelln
- Altenburg - Skat town
Note: If you know your way around the route, help to work out a detailed route description. By the way, pictures are also welcome.
An example of a fully developed cycle route with stages is here to find.
trips
- east of Ronneburg there is a connection to the Posterstein Saxon city route at Crimmitschau.
References to literature and maps
Web links
- Thuringian cities - Official touristic community site of 19 cities in Thuringia. The cities of the Thuringian city chain are also presented.
