SaaleHorizontal

Short description

Hiking with a view on the SaaleHorizontale means pure hiking pleasure.

Description

The panorama of the SaaleHorizontale is overwhelming. From a distance, the Leuchtenburg greets you, while the city noise echoes in the valley.
On the SaaleHorizontale, you will experience thousand-year-old history as well as rare plants. The ascents are sometimes gentle, sometimes steeper, rewarding you with nature and landscape. Pine groves, beech forests, orchards, and field edges offer plenty of variety.
The Dornburg castles, the ruins of the Kunitzburg and the Lobdeburg, hospitable villages, and ancient rocks are exciting witnesses of time. Restaurants and inns are located along the way.
The trail has been divided into 9 stages. Hiking routes can be individually customized by using access routes and exit options. The distinctive hallmark of the SaaleHorizontale makes hiking without a map easier. Information boards along the panoramic trail provide orientation at selected points.

Stage 1: Romanesque Lobdeburg

Stage 1 of the SaaleHorizontale passes by the Romanesque Lobdeburg ruin, the Johannisberg, and the Sommerlinde tree, leading to the Fürstenbrunnen. The route continues to the Kupferplatte passing by the Diebeskrippe and Studentenrutsche.

Stage 2: Tracing the Ottonians

Stage 2 of the SaaleHorizontale leads from the Kupferplatte through Ziegenhain and Fuchsturm to Jenaprießnitz, ending in Wogau.

Stage 3: Castles in the Saale Valley

Stage 3 of the SaaleHorizontale leads from Wogau over the Jenzigrücken to Laasan and over the Kunitzburg to Kunitz.

Stage 4: Wine cultivation on sunny slopes

Stage 4 of the SaaleHorizontale is a circular route. It starts in Kunitz, passes by the Kunitz castle ruins towards Beutnitz, and returns to Kunitz over the Großer Gleisberg.

Stage 5: In the gravitational field of the planets

Stage 5 leads through parts of Gleistal into the Tautenburger forest and ends in Dorndorf with a magnificent view of the Dornburg castles.

Stage 6: Castles with panoramic views

The highlight of Stage 6 of the SaaleHorizontale are the Dornburg castles. The route continues over Platten- and Weidenberg to Zwätzen with a magnificent view of the Saale valley.

Stage 7: Napoleon in Jena

The highlight of Stage 7 of the SaaleHorizontale is the Windknollen with a unique view over the Saale valley. The route continues over Landgraf and Sonnenberge down to Mühltal.

Stage 8: Clever Ux

Stage 8 leads through the Jena forest with Bismarck tower, nature experience center forum natura (Schottplatz), and Ernst-Haeckel-Stein down to Lebetal towards Ammerbach.

Stage 9: Rare Orchids

Stage 9 leads from Ammerbach through Kleinertal past the vast meadows of Cospoth into Leutratal to the orchids. The route continues over the Jagdberg down to Göschwitz.

Directions

Stage 1 of the SaaleHorizontale leads you past the Lobdeburg ruin, Johannisberg, and Sommerlinde to the Fürstenbrunnen. From the Diebeskrippe and Studentenrutsche, you reach the Kupferplatte.

The first stage starts at the Platanenstraße stop in Lobeda-Ost. Quickly ascend to the Lobdeburg ruin and further uphill to the Johannisberg. At the plateau, remnants of a Slavic fortification are visible. Along the way, there are magnificent views of Drackendorf and Lobeda up to the Leuchtenburg. The trail runs directly along the forest edge, offering a view of the Sommerlinde, before descending through the forest to the shady Fürstenbrunnen in the Pennickental. After a short ascent, the open shell limestone cliffs offer a view of Winzerla and Ammerbach. At some points, the trail narrows and runs close to the rocks. Hikers should be sure-footed and free from vertigo. Passing by the Diebeskrippe and Studentenrutsche, you reach the Kupferplatte. The descent follows through the Teufelslöcher and Wöllnitzer Straße to the Jenertal stop.

Stage 2 of the SaaleHorizontale leads from the Kupferplatte through Ziegenhain and Fuchsturm to Jenaprißenitz, ending in Wogau.

The Jenertal stop is the starting point for the 2nd stage, which leads past the Teufelslöcher to the Kupferplatte. Through a picturesque beech forest, the trail leads to below the Steinkreuz. From there, it descends through meadows to the Ziegenhainer Tal to the original village of Ziegenhain. At the village cemetery, there is a steep ascent to the Fuchsturm. As a reward, a spectacular view from 370 m height awaits over the district of Ziegenhain and parts of the Saale valley. At this location, there were once four medieval castles, one of which served the Ottonians as a royal palace. Following the signage towards Jenzig, the SaaleHorizontale winds in long switchbacks down the north side of the mountain. Passing by meadows and fields and through a beech forest, the route leads to the Wogau/Jenaprießnitz stop. On the opposite side of the valley, you can see the distinctive Jenzig, once considered one of the "Seven Wonders" of Jena.

Stage 3 of the SaaleHorizontale leads from Wogau over the Jenzigrücken to Laasan and over the Kunitzburg to Kunitz.

At the Wogau bus stop, shortly after the Gasthof Deutsche Eiche, a signpost marks the start of the tour. Initially, you have to climb to reach the Jenzigrücken. Beautiful views open up towards Gembdental, the city, and the opposite Fuchsturm. At the meadow with some seating areas, the hiking trail turns towards Kunitzburg. Before that, a detour to the Jenzig's viewing platform is worthwhile, providing a magnificent view over Jena and the Saale valley. Through a beech forest and past orchards, the trail leads on the north side of the Jenzig to the picturesque village of Laasan and finally to the Kunitzburg. At the ruin, you can enjoy another panoramic view of the Saale valley before the path descends through switchbacks and along the vineyard to Kunitz.

Stage 4 of the SaaleHorizontale is a circular route. It starts in Kunitz, passes by the Kunitz castle ruins towards Beutnitz, and returns over the Großer Gleisberg to Kunitz.

The diverse stage leads past the vineyards north of Jena and is designed as a circular route. From the hiking parking lot or the bus stop, the tour initially heads towards the Saale, then turns towards Kunitzburg and ascends the Grafenberg vineyard. A stop at the Kunitzburg is highly recommended, offering a wonderful view of the Saale valley. At the Kunitzburgbaude, the path turns left towards Golmsdorf and merges onto a ridge path. The forest opens up, and the path passes a meadow at the "Golmsdorfer Gleisberg" vineyard, where the Kerner and Auxerrois grape varieties thrive in a sheltered location. Following a field path, then through beech forest steeply uphill to the large Gleisberg and to the Kunitzburg – from there, the return to Kunitz is easy.

The SaaleHorizontale Stage 5 leads through parts of Gleistal into the Tautenburger forest and ends in Dorndorf with a magnificent view of the Dornburg castles.

Starting from Porstendorf train station, the trail initially follows the road to Golmsdorf and then past orchards. Above Löberschütz, the hiking trail steadily ascends to the forest edge. A botanical highlight is the wild orchids and peonies that bloom in May and June. In the extensive Tautenburger forest, you approach the theme of planets. Here lies the Thuringian State Observatory Tautenburg, which uses its remote location to gaze into space. The trail leads through dense mixed forest – and soon you reach the idyllic village of Tautenburg with its castle ruins on Schlossberg. Here, the SaaleHorizontale intersects with the Planet Path. The local circular route provides information about the celestial bodies of our solar system. The route continues to Dorndorf via Hohe Lehde and Sophienterrasse, offering fantastic views of the Saale valley, Neuengönna, and especially the Dornburg castles.

The highlight of SaaleHorizontale Stage 6 are the Dornburg castles. The route continues over Platten- and Weidenberg to Zwätzen with a magnificent view of the Saale valley.

Upon arrival at Dornburg train station, the hiking trail on the western Saale side passes through a rocky gorge to Dornburg and through the market to the park where the three Dornburg castles are located. The view from up here is breathtaking, hence the complex is referred to as the "Balcony of Thuringia." Passing by gardens, fields, and orchards, the trail descends to Neuengönna and then ascends to Plattenberg with a panoramic view of Alten Gleisberg and Gleistal. Further along Weidenberg, paragliders take off in good weather, and benches invite you to rest. Along Käuzchenberg, where Jena wine thrives, the trail winds down to Zwätzen.

The highlight of SaaleHorizontale Stage 7 is the Windknollen with a unique view over the Saale valley. The route continues over Landgraf and Sonnenberge down to Mühltal.

Napoleon's victory in the 1806 Battle of Jena and Auerstedt is a milestone in European history. On this tour, you reach the location directly. Starting at the Zwätzen stop, the trail passes Heiligenberg into Rautal and towards Closewitz. In February and March, the magnificent yellow flower carpets of winter aconites spread here. Through the natural history grove and a former military training ground, the route heads towards Landgraf. A break is recommended to enjoy the unique view from the "Jena's Balcony." A detour to the Napoleonstein is worth it before the path passes by the Blinkerdenkmal towards Sonnenberge. Along the way, the distant view over the city center and the south of Jena up to the Bismarck tower across repeatedly invites for photo stops. Finally, the path winds down to the paper mill.

Stage 8 leads through the Jena forest with Bismarck tower, future nature experience center (Schottplatz) at Ernst-Haeckel-Stein down to Lebetal and towards Ammerbach.

Ideal for families with hiking-loving children, this entertaining tour offers plenty to discover. From the Mühltal bus stop, you walk into the Münchenrodaer Grund. The trail gently ascends through a picturesque beech forest, which at "Kahle Höhe" provides a view of the opposite ridges. From the Bismarck tower, you follow the Waldlehrpfad Schlauer Ux, passing by the Sternlinde and the Langethal monument. The educational trail offers interesting facts about the forest at various stations, including hiding in the witch's house and searching for wildlife tracks. A detour to the Forester's house and forest tower is possible. Passing by the future nature experience center Schottplatz (from 2022), you reach the Ernst-Haeckel-Stein. The view of Lebetal, Winzerla, and Cospoth is impressive. Passing the old drinking water house, the path descends to Ammerbach.

Stage 9 leads from Ammerbach through Kleinertal past the vast meadows of Cospoth into Leutratal to the orchids. The trail continues over the Jagdberg down to Göschwitz.

From Ammerbach, head out of town towards Nennsdorf/Kleinertal up to the SaaleHorizontale. Above a meadow with wonderful views of Ammerbach and Lämmerberg, the trail leads to Nennsdorf and then winds through pines and clearings to the plateau. On the right-hand side is the Vorwerk Cospoth, on the left the tall transmission mast, making it easy to walk along spacious meadows, fields, and orchards towards Leutratal. In the forest, the hiking trail steadily descends until dry and semi-dry meadows of the shell limestone slopes appear, which host 26 rare orchid species. During the early summer bloom, orchid enthusiasts come from afar, eagerly searching for lady's slipper, coralroot, and orchids. The juniper heaths are also worth seeing. On Jagdberg, enjoy a final distant view over the Saale valley to the Leuchtenburg before the path descends to Göschwitz.

Additional information

Hiking with a view on the SaaleHorizontale means pure hiking pleasure for active people. The trail is 72 km long, running along the Muschelkalk slopes on both sides of the Saale between Jena and Dornburg. Fantastic views of the middle Saale valley can be enjoyed from numerous viewpoints.

For more information:

[https://www.saalehorizontale.de/startseite/](https://www.saalehorizontale.de/startseite)

[https://www.visit-jena.de/sehen-und-erleben/aktiv-und-natur/saalehorizontale/](https://www.visit-jena.de/sehen-und-erleben/aktiv-und-natur/saalehorizontale/)