The Saale-Orla trail offers 422 kilometres of wonderful walking - a 326 kilometre circular tour starting at Blankenstein an der Saale, two connecting paths and three other circuits. Most of the trail is in the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale nature reserve. From Saalfeld to the Plothen lakes, with the Franconian Forest and Thuringian Forest nature reserves to the south and west, it is characterised by centuries of slate mining, forestry and agriculture. The path leads through varied scenery, crossing light plateaus offering fabulous panoramic views and cutting through narrow valleys overshadowed by steep, forested mountains. The Bleichloch reservoir (Germany's largest), the fairy grottos, the Plothen lakes and various historical and technological museums are just a few examples of the many fascinating sights dotted along this exciting route.
Start: Blankenstein
Finish: Blankenstein
Length: 326km
Federal state(s): Thuringia
Region(s): Saale-Orla, Saalfeld-Rudolstadt
