A vast forest through which wild streams rush to unite into a single river. Wide meadows stretching along the banks of the river on wide clearings. Wooded hills and steep cliffs that line the winding valleys with old mills, pretty half-timbered houses, magnificent palaces and historic castles.

On a route of 123 kilometres you can experience this beautiful Thuringian landscape, while you cycle along the Ilm Valley cycle path from the source of the Ilm in Allzunah to the mouth of the Saale in Großheringen. Cycling along the river you can not only enjoy the beautiful landscape, but also follow in the footsteps of the poet Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, who lived in Weimar and was inspired by some places along the Ilm.

So that you can ride the cycle path on a relaxed long weekend, we have divided it into four stages, which are between 18 and 37 kilometres long. Most of the route goes downhill and leads you along well asphalted cycle paths. Along the cycle path, you will always have the opportunity to take a break at rest areas or stop in restaurants and cafés. At the end of each stage you have a wide choice of accommodation in the towns and you also have the option of switching to the train if you want to shorten the tour or the weather is not good.

On weekends, the RennsteigShuttle train also takes you directly to Rennsteig station, which is about two and a half kilometres from the starting point at Allzunah. You can find information about the exact timetable on the website: rennsteigbahn.de. So that you don't have to plan much, we have included this short stretch in the first stage. So your trip on the Ilm Valley cycle path can start right away.

The Ilm Valley cycle path is recommended in the brochure "Deutschland per Rad entdecken" by the ADFC (German Cyclist's Association) and is ranked as a quality cycle route with four stars. More information (in German): adfc.de/artikel/radurlaub-als-sternstunde