The Thuringian Town Chain - discover history on two wheels

The seven most beautiful cities in Thuringia line the Town Chain cycle path like pearls on a necklace. From the Wartburg town of Eisenach in the west of the Free State to the skating city of Altenburg in the east, you will experience rich history, charming cities and beautiful landscapes. The 143 mile (230 kilometer) cycle path is divided into six stages varying in length from 14 to 37 miles (23 to 60 kilometers). The route is mostly flat, with one hillier stage through spectacular rolling hills. The Thuringian Town Chain has something for everyone whether you want to explore mighty castles and palaces with your family, celebrate with your friends in a different city every night, or if you're interested in medieval architecture. You will have a lot of fun on the town chain.

Beautifully landscaped parks, impressive monuments, castles, rustic restaurants and medieval streets await you in every city. To get there, you will ride on well-developed bike paths through idyllic villages, meadows and forests. From Eisenach, you will cycle to Gotha and on to Erfurt, passing the "Drei Gleichen", an extraordinary ensemble of castles along the way. Next, you will continue on to Jena via Weimar following in the footsteps of Germany's most famous poets, Schiller and Goethe and discovering the impact of the composer Franz Liszt and the optician Carl Zeiss. The section from Jena to Gera is particularly beautiful as you cycle along streams and past countless mills. The last stage leads you finally to Altenburg, where for skat was threshed for the first time.

Nothing can get in the way of your bike ride through history: all cities are well connected by rail and you can often hop on a train along the routes. The cycle path is marked continuously and mostly in excellent condition. You will also find enough places to stay in all of the cities from campsites to luxury spa hotels. After your bike ride, you can relax with a delicious bratwurst and a refreshing dark beer.