Path of reflection

Popular walk in the Upper Bavarian Forest Nature Park, Bavaria. The Cham contemplation trail begins at the Florian-Geyer-Brücke car park. The markings with the blue and yellow rosette show the way. You enter the town through the beer gate. After the Franciscan church, whose eventful history dates back to 1641, the path branches off to the left, then immediately right again to Steinmarkt, one of the oldest squares in Cham. On the left is the traditional town house (former inn "Zur weißen Gans") from the 16th century with a Gothic bay window. Cross the railway bridge into the busy Ludwigstraße. Climb up the terraced steps to the Redemptorist Maria Hilf monastery, which is definitely worth a visit. In the apse there is a picture of the "Perpetual Help" in a heavy gold frame. Through the beautifully designed courtyard of the district music school, you come to Schleinkoferstraße. Turn left here, past the old people's home and the town park, up the Kalvarienbergweg to the cross at the beginning of the Way of the Cross. The path leads along the Stations of the Cross up to the Calvary Church, which was built in neo-Gothic style at the end of the 19th century. The Way of the Cross should be walked slowly and meditatively, occasionally taking a look back at St Joseph's Church and the Regental meadows. It is usually quite quiet on the Calvary. But once a year, on Good Friday, many people walk up the Way of the Cross all day long to contemplate the suffering and death of Jesus. The route continues through the town park along an idyllic path. You can take a break at a group of benches with a fountain before turning left at the end of the forest and climbing up to Luitpoldhöhe (494 m). From the observation tower you have a wonderful view of the town of Cham and the Bavarian Forest mountains. Following the markings, you come to the district of Katzberg, which is mentioned in documents as early as 1170. The former castle chapel of St Ägidius invites you to pray and reflect. In addition to its baroque interior, it contains Romanesque and Gothic elements. The small historic organ is appreciated by connoisseurs for its original sound. The route leads through the village of Katzberg over the Trenckhügel hill back into the urban area. Immediately after the first houses on Weinbergstraße, turn left into the forest, past the former quarry to the Cham water reservoir. The path through the avenue is certainly one of the most beautiful sections of the contemplation trail, because from here you have a wonderful view of the town and far into the Regental floodplains. Shortly before the end of the avenue, the path branches off to the right. You return to the town through the so-called Lagally Garden, first past the hospital, through Schillerstraße to the railway station. Turn left in front of the railway station, then immediately right again. After the subway, turn left into Meranweg, which is lined with 100-year-old chestnut trees. A viewing platform offers the ideal opportunity to watch the flowing water and reflect on the passing of time. Cross the Florian Geyer Bridge to return to the starting point. Highlights of the hike: - historic town hall in Cham - Luftpoldhöhe with viewing tower - great views of Cham - Cham Monastery