Rennsteig Stage — Oberhof to Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig

This Rennsteig stage starts in Oberhof, a Thuringian Forest town served directly by regional train on the Zella-Mehlis-Oberhof line, with ample parking near the town's biathlon and ski stadium for drivers. The 10 km route follows the historic ridge path east toward Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig, gaining about 180 m over rolling terrain that alternates between forest track and short exposed ridge sections near the ski-jump complex, where wind exposure can be significant even in summer. The surface is predominantly packed gravel and dirt forestry road, wide and well maintained, with no technical difficulty or scrambling; shade comes from spruce plantations for much of the route, interrupted by open cross-country ski clearings that offer long views across the Thuringian Forest ridge. Landmarks along the way include Oberhof's Rennsteig-Warte tower and the ski-jump training facility, both popular turn-around points for hikers wanting a shorter there-and-back walk of around 5 km. Schmiedefeld am Rennsteig, at the trail's end, has guesthouses and a small shop for refreshments; there is no reliable natural water source directly on the trail itself, so hikers should carry sufficient water for the full 3-hour walk, particularly on the exposed ridge stretches.