Best backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
In the north of Bavaria, between the cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg and Bayreuth, lies the Franconian Switzerland - Franconian Jura Nature Park, which was known as the Franconian Switzerland - Veldensteiner Nature Park until 2018. With an area of 2346 km², it is the second largest nature park in the state after the Altmühltal Nature Park.
On marvellous hiking trails through romantic valley sections and wide Jura plateaus, you can relax and discover a lot - the region is not called the land of castles, caves, rocks and valleys for nothing. The show caves can be explored with an experienced cave guide. Canoeing, exploring museums or visiting castles and monasteries - the numerous information centres in the park will tell you all about what is possible.
Top sights
Top trails
- 4.9 (4)·Hard·19.8 km·Est. 6.5–7 hrVaried route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria On the tenth stage of the Franconian Trail, you can marvel at numerous caves. It goes through fir forests and across sunny fields and along the banks of the Wiesent. At Riesenburg Castle, you can marvel at an overgrown collapse cave with a natural bridge. There are refreshment stops along the way. Highlights: - Oswald Cave - Giant's Castle - Gößweinstein Castle - Franconian Switzerland" steam locomotive - "Zur Heiligen Dreifaltigkeit"...
- 3.9 (6)·Moderate·58.6 km·Est. 14–15 hr1st day stage (alternative 2) from Creußen to Kulmbach on the popular long-distance Main Cycle Route in central Germany The Main Cycle Route is an official long-distance cycle route of numerous German tourism organisations and runs through the federal states of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate. The signage consists of a grey and green square with the inscription "mainradweg". Highlights: - Cycling along the impressive river landscape of the River Main - Visiting the cultural monuments in...
- 3.8 (5)·Moderate·14 km·Est. 5–5.5 hrVaried hike in the Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park, Bavaria. The starting point of this hike on the famous Franconian Trail is near the Michaelsberg in Hersbruck. The route includes several peaks from which you can enjoy fantastic views over Franconian Switzerland. A few kilometres before Schnaittach, you reach the mighty Rothenberg fortress. Today's ruins were built in 1315, after the Celts had already settled around the Rothenberg many centuries earlier. Highlights of...
- 4.2 (4)·Moderate·15.1 km·Est. 4.5–5 hrVaried route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The eleventh stage of the Franconian Trail leads from Pottenstein along caves, castle ruins and winding forest paths to Obertrubach. There is an adventure rock at Schöngrundsee and a visit to the popular "Devil's Cave" is always worthwhile. There are also refreshment stops here. Highlights: - Pottenstein Castle - Pottenstein adventure rock - "Devil's cave" near the route - Ruin near Leiensfels - Bärnfels Castle Obertrubach - Churches...
- 5.0 (2)·Hard·20.9 km·Est. 6.5–7 hrNatural section of the route in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The ninth stage takes you from Heiligenstadt into the beautiful Wiesental valley to Muggendorf. Along the way, you can discover a stalactite cave and enjoy the beautiful forests and flowering meadows. There are refreshment stops along the way. Highlights: - The climatic health resort of Streitberg in the Wiesenttal valley - Streitburg castle ruins - Neideck - Bing cave near the route
- 4.9 (2)·Hard·50.9 km·Est. 13–14 hrA popular cycle tour with great views in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria. A beautiful tour for cycling. The route leads to Pretzfeld and through the beautiful old town centre of Ebermannstadt towards Streitberg. The route then continues along the Wiesent river to Gößweinstein. The beautiful basilica in the pilgrimage town of Gößweinstein is well worth a visit. There are also refreshments available. You return to Obertrubach via Etzdorf and Weimersberg. Highlights of the tour: - Hagenbach...
- 4.6 (3)·Moderate·57 km·Est. 14.5–16 hrVaried route from Nuremberg to Franconian Switzerland. Quite a long route, but one where you can always recharge your batteries, as it visits several breweries between Nuremberg and Wolfsberg with plenty of places to stop for refreshments along the way. Highlights: - Wiethaler brewery in Neunhof - Weißenohe monastery brewery - Friedmann brewery - Gasthof Lindenbräu in Gräfenberg - Hofman brewery in Hohenschwärz - Elch-Bräu and Gasthof Seitz in Thuisbrunn - Meister brewery in Unterzaunsbach
- 5.0 (2)·Hard·20.8 km·Est. 5.5–6 hrVaried circular tour in the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park, Bavaria. The tour starts in Gräfenberg, where you can easily arrive and depart by train. Via Großenohe and Hammerbühl, the route follows the Trubach valley to Egloffstein. Here you can explore the town and find a place to stop for refreshments. You return to the starting point via Thuisbrunn and Gräfenbergerhüll. Highlights: - Egloffstein baroque garden - Egloffstein Castle near the route - Egloffstein rock cellar near the route
- 5.0 (2)·Hard·23 km·Est. 6.5–7 hrVaried route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The eighth stage of the Franconian Trail takes you to Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia. The beautiful municipality of Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia is a popular excursion destination and offers many historical sights and places to stop for refreshments. Highlights: - Giechtburg castle ruins - Gügel pilgrimage church - Historic buildings in Laibarös - Church of St Vitus and St Michael in Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia -...
- 5.0 (1)·Hard·21.6 km·Est. 6–7 hrIdyllic stretch of road in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The 13th stage of the Franconian Trail shows Franconian Switzerland at its best once again: it takes you past the waterfalls of the Sinter steps, through idyllic forests and fields and past historical sights such as the rococo fortress of Rothenberg. There are refreshment stops along the way. Highlights: - Former Benedictine monastery Weißenohe - Lillachtal waterfall - Sinter steps - Rothenberg rococo fortress - Schnaittach local...
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Visitor info
Accessibility
Facilities
The information centre in the "Old Train Station" in Muggendorf, for example, is open daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm between April and October.
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best trail to hike for backpacking in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park?
According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park is Frankenweg stage 10: Wiesenttal - Pottenstein, which has a 4.9 star rating from 4 reviews. This trail is 19.8 km long with an elevation gain of 725 m.
What is the longest backpacking trail in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park?
According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park is Frankenweg (Fernwanderweg). This trail is estimated to be 522.4 km long.
How many backpacking trails are in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park?
There are 59 backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park.These backpacking trails have an average 4.1-star ratingfrom 57 AllTrails community reviews.
Which backpacking trail has the most elevation gain in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park?
Frankenweg (Fernwanderweg) has the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 15,303 m of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Franconian Mountain Trail, which has 11,819 m of elevation gain.
Top nature parks
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
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Attractions
- Cave trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
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- Pub walks in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- River trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Short trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Trails with views in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Waterfall trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
Suitability
- Child-friendly trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
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