Promising Kneipp experiences

Bad Tabarz is the Kneipp spa with Germany's most beautiful hiking trail

Bad Tabarz nestles in the idyllic landscape on the edge of the Thuringian Forest. At the vantage points of the summit and adventure tour and the Inselsberg, time stands still for a moment and the view becomes a pleasure. Enjoyment also plays a major role in Kneipp therapy, which is interpreted in a modern way at the Kneipp spa and taught in all its facets with cooking courses, herb beds, sound journeys and much more.

In Thuringia’s first Kneipp spa town, there is a valuable link between the relaxing nature of the Thuringian Forest and the refreshing Kneipp treatments, a broad selection of which can be experienced in Bad Tabarz. In the process, you will frequently encounter the priest Sebastian Kneipp “in person” and in an artistic manner

Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail: the “Gipfel- und Aussichtstour”

In summer 2022, Bad Tabarz became known as a hiking highlight of Thuringia. The “Gipfel- und Aussichtstour” has fantastic views and has been named Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail. On this trail, you will enjoy a long-distance view of Bad Tabarz and the Thuringian Forest all the way to the Inselsberg. On the way, you will be surprised by unusual rock formations between the trees, where you will even encounter climbers and discover the idyllic Lauchagrund, through which a narrow stream bubbles quietly and shows you the way back to the town.

This hiking trail fittingly also leads to the spa gardens, where the Kneipp pool is fed by spring water from the Schafswiese meadow and will refresh you after the challenging trail. The cold water creates a tingling sensation on your legs as you wade through it like a stork and enjoy the stillness of the forest.

What is needed for “Kneipp therapy”? The five pillars

The five pillars

Water treading is probably the best known Kneipp treatment. However, in his health theory, Sebastian Kneipp refers to a total of five areas, which include water, but also exercise, nutrition, herbalism and balance. According to Kneipp, “the road to health leads through the kitchen – not through the pharmacy.” The exercise part is satisfied with the “Gipfel- und Aussichtstour”, the water part by the Kneipp treading. You will achieve balance in the peace of the spa gardens and can quite deliberately investigate the herbs in the herb bed. You are allowed to smell them, taste them and even pick some of them, for example to jazz up your drinking water.

Tip from Dr. Sigurd Scholze: Health needs exercise

When the chairman of the Thuringian Kneipp Association starts talking about health, you can sense his enthusiasm for Kneipp. "Health needs exercise!" That's why he recommends the "Spindlermeile" in Bad Tabarz. Starting at the Kneipp statue on Spindlerplatz, the easy circular route commemorates father and son Spindler, the founders of Bad Tabarz as a health resort. Villas from the Wilhelminian era line the path, Struwwelpeter greets you on the fairytale meadow and you can even meet dinosaurs in the geopark! Who would have thought that in a Kneipp spa town...?

Cultural tip: health academy and music festival

Inspired by Sebastian Kneipp, Dr Udo Trutschel regularly invites people to Kukuna in Bad Tabarz for his health academy in KuKuNa. In the centre for health, culture and nature, the entertaining talks will teach you interesting facts and give you new insights into a healthy lifestyle and a healthy diet. And there is a lot going on at the event centre at other times too. For example, it regularly hosts guest performers such as Joey Kelly.

In general, Bad Tabarz is a lively spa town. Especially in the summer, when 40 free concerts take place in the town centre and the Cabarz district as part of the popular music festival. On mild summer evenings, you can enjoy the positive atmosphere and healthy air of the Thuringian Forest with a cool drink. Relaxation for the soul!

Culinary tip: “Die Teigmacher” in the reading room

Right next to one of the concert venues in Theo Neubauer Park, a new bakery has opened a café in the former reading room. “Die Teigmacher” relies on natural ingredients such as flour, water, salt and a lot of time for its sourdough bread. it seasons its interpretation of nature, craftsmanship and tradition with a modern touch, where it is appropriate and tastes good. In the relaxed atmosphere on the premises, you can enjoy speciality coffees and sweet backed goods from around the world, such as cinnamon buns, nut corners or “bobbes” (shortcrust pastry with nuts and raisins). You can borrow a comfortable picnic blanket for a picnic in the park.

Bad weather tip: take a dip in TABBS

The health and fitness spa TABBS provides another secret culinary tip. In its kitchen, top chef Danilo Bodenstein is the head chef and serves balanced, fresh dishes made from regional ingredients as well as “healthier” swimming pool chips. He is passionate about teaching his knowledge of healthy eating combined with Kneipp therapy in his cookery courses as well as on a voluntary basis to local children. In the TABBS leisure pool, you can start by working off your energy in water gymnastics and the Aqua Fit courses and then find a state of deep relaxation in the sauna area, in a yoga session or in one of the popular singing bowl concerts.

Must-see: the Inselsberg with the lookout tower

Above this interplay between the magnificent nature of the Thuringian Forest and the Bad Tabarz Kneipp specialities sits the symbol of the region: the large Inselsberg. Located right by the Rennsteig hiking trail, the 916.5 metre-high lookout tower is a perfect destination for a hike or a cycle ride. Above the tourist information office, you can explore the “Summit meeting of flora, fauna and fossils”, an exhibition on Thuringian winter sports and, as a highlight, the 360° panoramic view of the region Bad Tabarz and the Thuringian Forest from the best perspective!