Hiking & Exercising

The BERG & SPA HOTEL GABELBACH in the middle of the Thuringian Forest is the ideal starting point for nature lovers, sports enthusiasts and active visitors.

The Thuringian Forest is known for its numerous trails and paths through magnificent landscapes, forests and idyllic little towns. Whether you fancy hiking, Nordic walking, mountain biking or cycling in summer or cross-country skiing and snow hiking in winter – the excellent network of trails offers challenging routes for every level of difficulty. The "Rennsteig", probably the best-known high-altitude hiking trail, as well as more than 6,000 kilometres of signposted cycling trails lead to rewarding destinations and remarkable overlooks with panoramic views. Bathing fun for young and old is offered by the numerous reservoirs, outdoor and indoor pools in the area. The heated open-air pool in Ilmenau invites you into dive in even on cooler summer days. Boating, canoeing or fishing are just a few of the other leisure options.

Hiking

Popular hiking routes around Gabelbach:

To shepherd's meadow (‘Hirtenwiese’), 2 km, 1 hour, difficulty level: easy
To ‘Bobhütte’, 6.5 km, 2 hours, difficulty level: moderate (restaurant closed)
Goethe trail, 8 km, 2.5 hours, difficulty level: moderate
Waldromantik, 9 km, 2.5 hours, difficulty level: moderate
Through the Schorte valley, 15 km, 5 hours, difficulty level: difficult, for advanced hikers
Goethewanderweg (Goethe Trail), approx. 20 km, 6-7 hours, difficulty level: moderate
Bobsleigh and sledding trail, 9.2 km, 2-3 hours, difficulty level: easy
Ilmenau nature trail, 13 km, 4 hours, difficulty level: moderate
Around the Kickelhahn, 10.6 km, 3 hours, difficulty level: moderate

Please do not hesitate to contact our reception team for route recommendations or hiking maps. We will be happy to assist you.

Swimming

Outdoor pools and lakes in the area:

outdoor pool Ilmenau, Hammergrund
Forest Swimming Pool, Plaue
Outdoor pool Großbreitenbach
Outdoor pool Stadtilm

Spas and indoor swimming pools in the area:

Ilmenau indoor swimming pool (only during winter season)
Arnstadt sports and leisure pool

image credit: captaincreps.com

Tennis

The Tennis Club 1920 e.V. Ilmenau has one of the most beautiful 5-court tennis facilities in Thuringia. The tennis courts are located only approx. 1 km from the BERG & SPA HOTEL GABELBACH, in a relaxed forest setting and not far from the pond "Ritzebühler Teich". The tennis courts are available on a rental basis, subject to request and availability. Please inform us before or during your stay about your wish to rent a tennis court. After reserving a court, please contact our hotel reception. There you will receive a key to open the entrance gate of the facility.

We kindly ask you to carry out court maintenance after use.
You can get more information at: www.tennisverein-ilmenau.de

Mountainbike

For mountain bikers and cyclists the thuringian forest has a lot to offer, too. Whether on the cycling & hiking trails or through the middle of the forest, anyone with a 2-wheeler will get their rewards. You can cycle along one of the paths or simply get on your bike and set off directly in front of the hotel. Of course, you also have the possibility to rent bikes from us. For more information, please contact our reception team.

Popular cycle paths from Ilmenau:

Ilmtal cycle path: from the Rennsteig to the river Saale
Gera cycle path: via Arnstadt to Erfurt
Rennsteig cycle path
Ilm-Rennsteig cycle path: link between Ilmtal cycle path and Rennsteig cycle path

Skiing

Whether cross-country or downhill, skiing is also great fun in the beautiful Thuringian Forest. Around our hotel there are a lot of great cross-country skiing trails, which are perfectly prepared, tracked and groomed with the first snow. With our snow app you are perfectly prepared, please ask our reception team. You don't have the right equipment? Don't worry, you can rent it in our region.
We wish you lots of fun and happy skiing!