Discover Kleinschmalkalden

Cowbell and Volcano Trail in Kleinschmalkalden

In Kleinschmalkalden, visitors can see the cowbell described as the largest in the world. It was made by the locally based Venter-Glocken GmbH, which received an entry in the Guinness Book of Records for it. The cowbell is also the starting and finishing point of the Kleinschmalkalden Volcano Trail: this family-friendly circular hiking trail begins and ends at the bell on Friedrichrodaer Straße, at an elevation of 453 metres.

This connection is useful for planning your day: the trail and the cowbell can be treated as two closely linked local attractions. If you plan to visit the cowbell, it is advisable to check the current conditions in advance.

Churches and church fair

The Gothaische Kirche Kleinschmalkalden and the Hessische Kirche Kleinschmalkalden both belong to the Kleinschmalkalden parish. They give the village another cultural point of interest.

The Kleinschmalkaldener Kirmes, a church consecration festival that begins every August, is a recurring event in village life. If you would like to combine your trip with the festival, check the exact event dates for the year you plan to travel. Its annual tradition and August start provide a general guide, not a fixed date for a particular trip.

Hiking in the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal

The wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal also offers a range of hiking experiences. The Luther Trail passes through Floh-Seligenthal, with views of the municipality opening up along dense forests. The Höhnberg Loop offers a different kind of hike: this moderately difficult circular route is 14.3 kilometres long, takes about three hours and includes 286 metres of ascent. It follows historic trails through spruce and mixed forests to the mountain ridge, follows part of the Rennsteig there, then crosses mountain meadows and valleys.

The 11-kilometre Great Haderholz Route is another option for planning your hikes. It runs between Seligenthal and Kleinschmalkalden and leads to geological features and viewpoints around Haderholzstein. The Höhnberg Loop is a moderately difficult circular route with a walking time of about three hours and 286 metres of ascent; the Haderholz Route runs between Seligenthal and Kleinschmalkalden, leading to geological features and viewpoints around Haderholzstein.

Landscape, water and seasonal activities

The Bergsee Ebertswiese lake in the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal lies between rock faces up to 30 metres high. It was formed by quarrying. Ebertswiese is also a mountain meadow where wild orchids and globe flowers grow. These landscape features can provide a distinct focus for your excursions, alongside village visits and hikes.

For water-based outings, there are two outdoor pools in the wider destination, each with its own features. The Kleinschmalkalden Waldschwimmbad has about 1,250 square metres of water surface and 50-metre lanes. On the outskirts of Struth-Helmershof is a solar-heated outdoor pool with swimming and non-swimming pools, a water slide and a children's paddling pool. Both pools are seasonal; check operating conditions before you travel.

In winter, the Bergseeloipe is described as an 8-kilometre circular route through winter scenery and past Bergsee Ebertswiese lake. If cross-country skiing is part of your travel plans, this information provides a specific guide for choosing a route. Check in advance whether it is open for seasonal use. Certified geopark guides in Floh-Seligenthal can be booked for guided tours and can answer questions about geology, flora and fauna. Here too, it is worth checking the booking details in good time.

Festivals and practical information for your stay

In the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal, other festivals take place throughout the year. The villages' church fairs are held annually from August to September; traditional programme highlights include dances and festive processions. The Bergseefest at Bergsee Ebertswiese lake takes place every year one week after the solstice. The festival features music by local music societies and choirs, as well as a programme organised by local associations. Check the exact dates of both events before your trip.

The Floh-Seligenthal tourist information office provides local, event and bus timetables, as well as hiking and cycling maps. Floh-Seligenthal can be reached by bus and train; check current connections and timetables for your trip. This helps keep local destinations in Kleinschmalkalden distinct from the offerings of the wider destination of Floh-Seligenthal.

Discover more destinations: Wernshausen, Unterschönau, Bermbach, Floh-Seligenthal, Schmalkalden, Oberschönau, Trusetal-Laudenbach, Steinbach-Hallenberg.

Back to the wider travel overview: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.