GeoRoute 9 - "Hike over the tropical Ruhla island", circular route Ruhla - UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen

A tropical island at the Rennsteig – that last existed 257 million years ago. Today GeoRoute 9 leads through the UNESCO Global Geopark Thuringia Inselsberg - Drei Gleichen around the mining town Ruhla. The former reefs in the Zechstein Sea today form striking mountains at the northern and southern edge of the Thuringian Forest. The route connects magnificent lookout rocks with interesting geological points in one of the most beautiful parts of the Thuringian Forest. Information boards explain the geological phenomena that once shaped this landscape and the mining that resulted.
This circular hike is the northern part of GeoRoute 9 and connects the Kittelsthal dripstone cave with geological highlights around Ruhla. Expanded or as another hike, the southern loop of GeoRoute 9 around Bad Liebenstein is recommended with highlights like the Altenstein cave, Altenstein landscape park, Schleifkotengrund near Steinbach, and the Glöckner massif at the Rennsteig.

After the hike, a visit to the Rennsteig Bird of Prey Centre, Germany's steepest summer toboggan run, or the only miniature park mini-a-thür in Thuringia is worthwhile.