Climate-conscious travel.
Sustainable stay.
Mindful enjoyment.

Want to travel more sustainably? We aim to make your holiday as climate-friendly as possible — here's what we do:

1. The good things are close by

• Thanks to its central location in Germany, the Thuringian Forest is easily accessible from all directions.

• No long-haul travel needed – the Rennsteig is right on your doorstep.

• Forests, hiking trails, cross-country ski tracks, and many staffed hiking huts can be visited on the very day you arrive.
   

2. Getting here using public transportation

• Zella-Mehlis West train station (900 m from the holiday home, reachable on foot)

• Zella-Mehlis main train station (3 km) and a well-connected Flixbus stop

• Public transport network: the Zella-Mehlis city line; bus or train connections to Suhl, Oberhof, Meiningen, or Schmalkalden

• Local shops and markets are easily reachable on foot or by bike

• Electric vehicles can be charged at the parking area in front of the holiday home

  • Bike rental in Zella-Mehlis

  • E-car rental in Zella-Mehlis

  • Car rental companies with electric vehicles
     

3. On site: energy, heating & water

• Photovoltaics and heat pump – we generate our own solar power

• Fireplace – every house has a wood stove, heated with locally sourced wood

• Rain barrels – we collect rainwater for watering the garden

• Waste management – At our on-site waste area we separate everything into all categories, and food scraps go to our neighbour's chickens.

• Sauna, forest, and silence
   

4. Shopping locally

• Local farmers' markets in Zella-Mehlis with seasonal, regional produce:

  • Every Wednesday, 8 AM–1 PM: Mehliser Markt (walking distance)

  • Every Friday, 8 AM–1 PM: Zellaer Markt

• Carolas Hofladen (farm shop) – Louis-Anschütz-Str. 1, Mehliser Markt (walking distance): fresh, regional, and unpackaged food; with homemade soup every Wednesday

• Wildhof farm shop in Steinbach-Hallenberg (approx. 15 km) – game meat and specialities, plus a wildlife enclosure with red and fallow deer

• Regional speciality – Thuringian bratwurst from local butcher store in Zella-Mehlis:

  • Fleischerei Löser – Peter-Haseney-Str. 37 (reachable on foot)

  • Fleischerei Schneider – Hauptstr. 89

  • Fleischerei Hengelhaupt/Häring – Oberhofer Str. 16

  • Thüringer Landstolz, from Schmalkalden – Talstr. 77 A
     

5. Experiencing and protecting nature and the region

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Friendly neighbours:

• Fire salamanders Lilly & Prometheus

• Squirrels

• Deer

• Ants

• Wildflower meadow for bees & butterflies

Gentle nature experiences with our local partners:

• Forest bathing with Dennis & Kristin Klein

• Guided herb walk with Astrid Polakowski

• Alpaca tours on the Rennsteig with Simone Stoy

• Hippotherapy / Therapeutic horse riding at "Am Heiligen Berg" with Mandy Kuhles

• Wellness massage with Heike Zentgraf