Delightful hiking in Franconian Switzerland

Ebermannstadt - or "Ebs" as the locals affectionately call it - is the gateway to Franconian Switzerland. The perfect starting point for a first exploration tour. From Ebs you walk towards Streitberg. As soon as you have climbed the first altitude you will find the Wiesenttal at your feet. After a short walk on the Frankenweg you will reach the Binghöhle with its impressive stalactites and stalagmites. After crossing the Wiesent you climb the last few meters to the guardian of the Wiesenttals: the castle ruins Neideck. From the watchtower of the ruin you have a fantastic all-round view. Descending gently, the trail leads you back to Ebermannstadt, where you can reward yourself with an ice cream in the marketplace for the tour.

The Walberla was first mentioned in 1768 - at that time it was the student tradition to go to "Walberla". Since then, the Ehrenbürg is known among locals as "Walberla". The short climb to the Zeugenberg in the foothills of the Franconian Alb is worth it for its beautiful panoramic view. The Kneipp facility on the outskirts of Kirchehrenbach is the starting and finishing point.First, you reach the northern tip of the Ehrenbürg - the actual Walberla at 513m. From there you can take a tour of the plateau, which leads you past a rock formation that looks like a finger to the Rodenstein summit at 531m. From there, the path meanders along the mountain back towards the church Ehrenbach. In addition to the railway line on the northwest side of the Ehrenbürg beer garden invites Lindenkeller to a small detour.

The Franconian Switzerland has always provided with its wild rock formations for myths and legends. A very special place is the Druidenhain. Huge boulders stand and lie here lined up in long lines in a northwest-southeast orientation and inspired the fantasies of the visitors at the end of the 19th century. Here you can go on an exploration tour before the path continues into the historic Burggaillenreuth. Here you should replenish your water supply again, because at the stage goal awaits you in the beer garden Sachsenmühle Franconian brewing and culinary art at its best. For the benefit!If you do not want to go back to Muggendorf on foot or by canoe on the Wiesent, you can make your way home with the approximately one to two-hour bus service. Timetables at vgn.de.

Gößweinstein in the heart of the Franconian Switzerland has much to offer. For pilgrims, hikers, steam locomotives, nature lovers, climbers and gourmets alike. There is something for everyone on this hike. From the last stop of the old railway line, where on Sundays from Ebermannstadt still old steam and diesel trains take place, you start at the Stempfermühle past the mountain up to Gößweinstein.In Gößweinstein you can not only visit the castle and the basilica, but get from the many beautiful viewpoints on the hills around it a great overview of the Püttlachtal. In the high-altitude swimming pool you can cool off in the natural swimming pool (for free!), Before the path leads further into the beautiful Tüchersfeld. From there you hike along the Püttlach and once again up the mountain to the hidden Forsthaus Schweigelberg - a real insider tip! Here you can enjoy the finest Franconian cuisine at the end of the tour.

Far away from the climbing and cycling tourism of the Wiesent Valley, there is a real treasure for culture and nature lovers in the municipality of Wonsees: the rock garden Sanspareil. The name (French unparalleled) is program. Mystic rock structures and winding paths, caves and rock ruins await you. The short circular walk starts in the town of Wonsees and follows the idyllic Wacholderbachtal always slightly uphill, until you reach between wide fields through the eastern end of the rock garden. There is a lot to discover here, so do not be afraid to take one or the other detour.Once at the other end of the park, you can visit the old castle Zwernitz and be pampered in your shadow with a coffee or a cool drink, before you return to Wonsees. On the outskirts of Wonsees awaits you the 2016/17 renovated Kneippanlage, in which you can revive your tired legs.

The tour combines some highlights of this region: the beautiful Egloffstein in the idyllic green Trubachtal, the generous Wildpark Hundshaupten with its animal inhabitants and the famous Pretzfelder beer cellar - epitome of the Franconian cosiness and lifestyle.The hike starts in Egloffstein. For culture enthusiasts, we recommend a trip to the pompous Baroque garden, before the trail leads up over the Trubachtal. Through fields, meadows and forests, you will soon reach the Wildpark Hundshaupten - a popular destination for families and wildlife photographers. Here you can watch wolves, moose and warthogs up close and sometimes even feed.After a refreshment in the park-owned beer garden, the path leads you back down to the Trubachtal valley, where you follow a path along the stream, before climbing up again just before Pretzfeld. Here in the middle of the forest you can expect a hearty snack on the Pretzfelder Keller and of course local beer specialties. Bottom up! The one-to-two-hour bus takes you back to Egloffstein in no time (timetables at vgn.de).

Pottenstein is one of the top excursion destinations in Franconian Switzerland! No wonder, because here you can discover a lot. From the city center you can already see the castle Pottenstein, the landmark of the city. High up then it goes on the trail over Pottenstein, where halfway the 2014 built observation tower with the appropriate name "sky ladder" stands. From up here you have probably the best view over the Franconian country.At the chapel in Elbersberg, the inn Kapellenhof invites you to pause with its cozy beer garden. Then you leave the mountain trail down to the valley of the Weiher Bach. On the way back to Pottenstein you should absolutely look at the Teufelshöhle - an impressive natural spectacle! Past the summer toboggan run the short climb for a great view over Pottenstein is worthwhile, before you are back in town.

The small village of Weißenohe lies hidden at the gate of the Lillachtal and, despite its remoteness, is regularly visited by hikers who make their way to the Sintererassen. The easy hike on the marked path (Lillingbrunnen) leads you out on well-walked paths from Weissenohe past a farm, where you get fresh milk and eggs directly from the farmers, further in the direction of the Lillachquelle.On the way there you can admire an impressive spectacle of nature: the Lillacher sinter terraces. From a vantage point you can watch as the water splashes down the limestone steps before the path continues to the source of the Villach. From there you can either take a leisurely stroll back in the Lillachtal, or you can climb the Lillacher Höhe and once again enjoy the vastness of the Franconian before returning to Weissenohe in the traditional monastery brewery and enjoying the hand-brewed beer. For sporty ambitious beer lovers, the 5-Seidla-Steig then offers itself to Gräfenberg.