To the very south of the state of Thuringia sits the very active Sonneberg District. Protruding into Bavaria to the south, it touches on the Coburg district of royal Saxe-Coburg fame.
This district also borders onto the southern slope of the Thuringian Forest; from top to bottom.
Sonneberg District Map
Towns & Villages in the Sonneberg District
- Bachfeld
- Föritz
- Frankenblick
- Goldisthal
- Judenbach
- Lauscha
- Neuhaus am Rennweg
- Neuhaus-Schierschnitz
- Schalkau
- Sonneberg
- Steinach
Starting at the amazing 863m (2831ft) heights of Bleßberg right down to the low plains of the Sonneberger Unterland and Schalkauer Platte there is amazing variety in the area.
Several towns and villages such as Neuhaus am Rennweg can be found on the lengthy and notorious Rennsteig Mountain Trail, certainly a challenge to even the most seasoned of hikers. Its 168km (104mi) length winds its way across the mountain peaks — but its highlights can be visited on daytrips rather than a seemingly endless trek if that is more to your fancy!
One other very interesting feature on the Sonneberg Districts horizon is the Sternwarte Sonneberg — the huge astronomical observatory balanced on the mountains for a clearer view. Opened in 1925, this is a very active observatory, and is constantly scanning the skies and increasing our knowledge.
