Cycling from town to town: 'Towns of Thuringia' Route (Thüringer Städtekette)

A route that extends right across Thuringia linking seven towns between Eisenach and Altenburg – along the way, you can explore the delightful nature and colourful history of this densely forested region.

Historical towns and a number of other attractions in Thuringia trace some of the most famous names in German history. The tour begins in Eisenach, the home of Wartburg Castle. After Gotha – birthplace of the German insurance industry – the next stop is the regional capital Erfurt with its 120-metre Merchants' Bridge, the longest in Europe to have buildings along its entire span. Weimar, the home of classicism, has a number of famous attractions. Jena and Gera are also great places to stop off and explore the sights, before you continue to Altenburg where the card game skat was invented in 1813. Terrain: the route is predominantly on dedicated asphalt-covered cycle paths or back roads, with some sections running along dirt tracks. Some hilly stretches. Scenery: a long-distance cycle route connecting seven of the most beautiful and historical towns in Thuringia, with areas of glorious dense woodland lining the path between them.

• Length: 225 kilometres
• Starts: Eisenach
• Ends: Altenburg
• Route info: mainly flat terrain, hilly in parts