Roter Turm (Red Tower) Climbing Rock
Rising 15 metres out of the Thuringian Forest floor in a vivid blush of red porphyry, the Roter Turm is Brotterode's most striking natural monument — a volcanic rock pillar that doubles as one of the most popular climbing crags in the region. Even if you never clip a carabiner, watching climbers pick routes up its sheer face while the forest glows around it is a scene worth lingering over.
Geology written in red
The tower's striking colour comes from red porphyry, a volcanic rock that erupted through the Thuringian Forest's ancient geology and was left standing as the softer rock around it eroded away over millennia.
A natural archway at the base — the so-called rock gate — frames views through to the forest beyond and is one of the most photographed details on the entire rock.
Climbing for every level
Routes on the Roter Turm are graded for a wide range of abilities, making it a genuine destination for beginner climbers as well as experienced sport climbers looking for a rewarding afternoon crag in the forest.
The rock is frequently visited by local climbing clubs, and it is entirely normal to arrive and find a small, friendly crowd of climbers rigging ropes and sharing beta on the best lines.
A natural monument on foot
Non-climbers reach the Roter Turm on well-marked forest trails from Brotterode — the approach walk through dense mixed woodland is pleasant in itself, and the tower appears suddenly and dramatically through the trees.
Combine the visit with the nearby Rennsteig trail for a longer half-day loop that takes in both the crag and sweeping ridge views.
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