Border Hiking Trail Sonneberg District

The hiking trail follows for the most part the well-preserved patrol path. It leads from Rennsteig near Spechtsbrunn over the foothills of the High Thuringian Slate Mountains through the Franconian Forest and follows there the historic lord and trade route from Nuremberg to Leipzig. Over the saddle pass near Neuenbau, one reaches the Tettau valley and Heinersdorf. Near Neuhaus-Schierschnitz, visitors find remains of former coal mines. To the south, you enter the scattered settlement of the Wustungen. Around the dominant Mupperg, you cross the significant "Burnt Bridge" between Sonneberg and Neustadt – a medieval long-distance road fortification. Here, at the time of reunification, the abolition of inner-German border controls between the two German states was decided.

Through various nature reserves, the path climbs steeply up to the Generalsblick. It is a good spot to rest there. With constant ups and downs, one reaches the razed village of Korberoth and the inner-German flood protection model project Froschgrundsee. In the summer half-year, the flower-rich calcareous dry grasslands toward Emstadt are inspiring. Through the Görsdorfer Heath, on lonely paths, one reaches the Border Tower Museum at the A73 motorway junction Eisfeld South, housed in a former border crossing point.

The border hiking trail in Sonneberg district is in some sections away from settlements; therefore, sufficient provisions must be carried.

The patrol path was built as a post path of the border troops, easy to find but sometimes difficult to traverse.

The region is accessible on the A73 via the Eisfeld South junction. From there, the B281 leads up to the Rennsteig and further to Spechtsbrunn and the B89 towards Kronach.

By train (South Thuringia Railway) to the station Eisfeld or Neuhaus am Rennweg and then on foot via the Rennsteig to Spechtsbrunn. Sonneberg is electrified connected to the Bavarian rail network. Buses depart from the station to the surrounding towns.

At the start, finish, and side entrances, there are sufficient free parking spaces available.

The Nature Conservation Foundation Thuringia constantly offers free guided hikes in the National Natural Monument Green Belt Thuringia.

The remains of the border walls in Heinersdorf and Görsdorf today recall the German division and lie directly on the border hiking trail in the Sonneberg district.