Trusetal: Trails, Sound and Mining History
Accommodation in Trusetal
In Trusetal, trails lead to geological and historical landmarks, outdoor sound experiences and mining-related sites. When planning your trip, it is worth considering what kind of outing interests you: a circular walk by the waterfall, a short sound trail or a longer route offering insights into the region’s mining history. The following details will help you plan your time here.
Key facts
- The Trusetal Landmarks Tour starts at the Wasserfall car park; it is marked with a blue 4.
- One stated route distance for the Landmarks Tour is up to 4.7 km.
- The Sound Trail is a circular route of about 900 m for children and adults of all ages.
- The Sound Trail brings together a giant xylophone, long metal pipes used as drums and the sound of the Truse.
- The Mining Trail leads from Steinbach through Laudenbach and Trusetal to Floh-Seligenthal.
- The Wallenburg Tower on the edge of town is an observation tower and a monument to 13th-century Romanesque architecture.
The Landmarks Tour and Halbstein
The Trusetal Landmarks Tour is a circular route starting at the Wasserfall car park. The route description follows the waterfall and the Wasserfallgraben, past the former ore mine and over HĂĽbelsberg and Halbstein to the Zentrale, before returning to the starting point. This makes it possible to plan the tour as one continuous route rather than visiting the individual stops separately. One stated route distance is up to 4.7 km; check the local trail markers before setting off.
In the forest above the former ore mine, the tour passes Halbstein, a geological natural monument. You can also vary the direction of travel: the Landmarks Tour can be walked in reverse. In this direction, it is possible to take a detour to the Trusetal Sound Trail. This gives you two related route choices: follow the tour as described or take the reverse route, with the option of including the Sound Trail.
Sound Trail: a short loop with instruments
The Sound Trail is an adventure trail for children and adults of all ages, about 900 m long. As a circular route, it offers a different kind of outing from the Landmarks Tour. Quiet spots invite you to pause and linger, while sound experiences are also at the heart of the trail. It combines the sound of a giant xylophone with the sound of the Truse. Long metal pipes serve as drums. You can sit on them and feel the vibrations throughout your body. If you would rather focus on sounds and breaks than on a series of trail stops, that captures what makes this trail special.
Mining Trail and visitor mine
The Trusetal Mining Trail connects several places: it leads from Steinbach through Laudenbach and Trusetal to Floh-Seligenthal. Along the way, it provides information about the extraction of locally occurring minerals and ores, former mines and open-cast mines, and the processing and industrial use of raw materials. The trail connects individual stops with the broader story of how raw materials were extracted and put to further use.
A visit to the “Hühn” visitor mine in Trusetal is considered a highlight of the Mining Trail. If you plan to visit, check access to the mine separately for the latest information. This keeps route planning and the on-site visit as two distinct parts of your preparations.
Tower, local history museum and waterfall
Wallenburg Tower is on the edge of Trusetal. As an observation tower and a monument to 13th-century Romanesque architecture, it combines an architectural landmark with historical significance. The local history museum in Trusetal was established and is run by the Trusetal Mining and Local History Association. The tower and museum offer different points of interest: architectural history at one, local history and the work of an association at the other.
In the wider Brotterode-Trusetal destination, the Trusetal Waterfall plunges 60 metres over a granite formation in three cascades. The waterfall is switched off in winter. Visitors can climb a staircase of 228 steps beside it. These details relate to the wider Brotterode-Trusetal destination and extend beyond the attractions in Trusetal itself.
Discover more destinations: Fambach, Oberschönau, Floh-Seligenthal, Kleinschmalkalden, Schmalkalden, Birx, Viernau, Zella-Mehlis.
FAQ
Where does the Trusetal Landmarks Tour start?
It starts at the Wasserfall car park. It is marked with a blue 4; the route description passes several stops before returning to the starting point.
Can the Landmarks Tour be combined with the Sound Trail?
The Landmarks Tour can be walked in reverse. In this direction, it is possible to take a detour to the Trusetal Sound Trail.
What can you expect on the Sound Trail?
The circular route, about 900 m long, combines a giant xylophone and metal pipes used as drums with the sound of the Truse. Quiet spots offer a chance to pause.
What topics does the Mining Trail cover?
It covers the extraction of minerals and ores, former mines and open-cast mines, and the industrial processing and use of raw materials. The trail leads to the “Hühn” visitor mine in Trusetal; check access to the mine separately for the latest information.
Is the Trusetal Waterfall switched on in winter?
No. In the wider Brotterode-Trusetal destination, the waterfall is switched off in winter.
Go to the overview of the wider destination: Schmalkalden-Meiningen.
