The largest village in the former unified municipality of Rottenbach, now a district of the town of Königsee, is located at the mouth of the Rottenbach stream into the Rinne, on the northern edge of the Thuringian Forest and in the "Rinne-Rottenbachtal" nature reserve. The landscape of the surrounding districts is characterized by agriculture (meadows, pastures, fields, farming) and large wooded areas. In summer, holidaymakers can relax in the idyllically situated forest pool or enjoy attractive hiking and excursion destinations, including the monastery ruins in Paulinzella with museums in the Jagschloss castle and the forestry office, Greifenstein Castle in Bad Blankenburg and the Trippstein with views of the Schwarzatal valley. Rottenbach is also the start and end point of the Oberweißbach mountain and Schwarzatal railroad.