The Thuringian Forest (Thüringer Wald in German), running northwest to southeast, forms a continuous range of ancient rounded mountains posing ample difficulties in transit routing save through a few navigable passes in the southern reaches of the German state of Thuringia. It is about 120 km (75 mi) long and 35 km (22 mi) wide. The highest elevation is the Großer Beerberg, 982 m (3,222 ft).The Rennsteig (sometimes called Rennweg) is an ancient path following its summits along the main ridge.