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Best backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park

Best backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park

4.1(57 reviews)

·

Bavaria
: 
#8 of 21 nature parks

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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 wonderful 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 points in the park will tell you all about what is possible.

Top sights

Glocke
Glocke
Cliff
Spitzer Turm
Spitzer Turm
Cliff
Predigtstuhl
Predigtstuhl
Cliff
Adamsfelsenhöhle
Adamsfelsenhöhle
Cave
Nasenwand
Nasenwand
Cliff
Vogelherdgrotte
Vogelherdgrotte
Cave

Top trails

  1. #1 - Frankenweg stage 10: Wiesenttal - Pottenstein

    4.9 (4)·Hard·12.3 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    Varied route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria On the tenth stage of the Frankenweg you can marvel at numerous caves. It goes through fir forests and over sunny fields and along the banks of the Wiesent. On top of the "Riesenburg" you can marvel at an overgrown collapse cave with a natural bridge. There are places to stop for a break. Highlights: - Oswald's Cave - Giant castle - Gößweinstein Castle - "Franconian Switzerland" steam engine - Pilgrimage basilica "To the Holy...

  2. #2 - Mainradweg Etappe 1a: Creußen - Kulmbach

    3.9 (6)·Moderate·36.4 mi·Est. 14–15 hr
    1st stage of the day (alternative 2) from Creußen to Kulmbach on the popular Mainradweg long-distance cycle route in Central Germany The Main Cycle Path is an official long-distance cycle path of numerous German tourism organizations and leads through the federal states of Bavaria and Rhineland-Palatinate. The signage consists of a gray and green square labeled "mainradweg". Highlights: - Cycling along the imposing river landscape of the river Main - Visit to the cultural monuments in...

  3. #3 - Frankenweg: Hersbruck to Schnaittach

    3.8 (5)·Moderate·8.7 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hr
    Varied hike in the Franconian Switzerland-Frankenjura Nature Park, Bavaria. The starting point of this hike on the famous Frankenweg is near the Michaelsberg in Hersbruck. The route includes several peaks from which there are great views of Franconian Switzerland. A few kilometers before Schnaittach you reach the mighty Rothenberg Fortress. Today's ruins were built in 1315, after the Celts had settled around the Rothenberg many centuries earlier. Highlights of the hike: - Schnaittach -...

  4. #4 - Frankenweg stage 11: Pottenstein - Obertrubach

    4.2 (4)·Moderate·9.4 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hr
    Varied route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The eleventh stage of the Frankenweg leads from Pottenstein along caves, castle ruins and over winding forest paths to Obertrubach. At the Schöngrundsee there is an adventure rock and a visit to the popular "Teufelshöhle" is definitely worth it. There are also places to stop for refreshments here. Highlights: - Pottenstein Castle - Pottenstein adventure rock - "Teufelshöhle" near the route - Ruin near Leiensfels - Bärnfels Castle in...

  5. #5 - Frankenweg Etappe 9: Heiligenstadt - Wiesenttal

    5.0 (2)·Hard·13 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    Near-natural route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The ninth stage goes from Heiligenstadt in the beautiful Wiesental to Muggendorf. On the way you can discover a stalactite cave and enjoy the beautiful forests and flowering meadows. There are places to stop for a break. Highlights: - Climatic health resort Streitberg in Wiesenttal - Streitburg castle ruins - Neideck - Bing cave near the route

  6. #6 - Wiesent and Trubachtal tour

    4.9 (2)·Hard·31.6 mi·Est. 13–14 hr
    Panoramic, popular bike tour in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria. A nice ride on a bike. The trail leads to Pretzfeld and through the beautiful old town in Ebermannstadt towards Streitberg. You then continue along the Wiesent next to the river to Gößweinstein. The beautiful basilica in the pilgrimage site of Gößweinstein is worth a visit. There is also possibilities to stop for lunch or dinner. The trail then leads back to Obertrubach via Etzdorf and Weimersberg. Highlights of the tour: -...

  7. #7 - Brewery tour: Nuremberg - Wolfsberg

    4.6 (3)·Moderate·35.4 mi·Est. 14.5–16 hr
    A varied route from Nuremberg to Franconian Switzerland. Quite a long route, but you can always strengthen yourself on it, as it visits several breweries between Nuremberg and Wolfsberg with many places to stop for refreshments on the way. Highlights: - Wiethaler Brewery in Neunhof - Weißenohe monastery brewery - Friedmann Brewery - Gasthof Lindenbräu in Graefenberg - Hofman Brewery in Hohenschwärz - Elch-Bräu and Gasthof Seitz in Thuisbrunn - Brewery Meister in Unterzaunsbach

  8. #8 - Gräfenberg – Großenohe – Trubachtal – Thuisbrunn - Hohenschwärz

    5.0 (2)·Hard·12.9 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    Varied loop in the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park, Bavaria. It starts in Graefenberg, here you can easily arrive and depart by train. Via Großenohe and Hammerbühl it goes in the Trubach Valley to Egloffstein. Here you can explore the city and find a place to stop for a break. It goes back to the starting point via Thuisbrunn and Graefenbergerhüll. Highlights: - Egloffstein baroque garden - Egloffstein Castle near the route - Felsenkeller Egloffstein near the route

  9. #9 - Frankenweg stage 8: Scheßlitz - Heiligenstadt

    5.0 (2)·Hard·14.3 mi·Est. 6.5–7 hr
    Varied route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria The eighth stage of the Frankenweg leads to Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia. You can stop off at the Renaissance castle Giechtburg at the beginning of the route. The beautiful community of Heiligenstadt in Upper Franconia is a popular destination and offers many historical sights and refreshments. Highlights: - Giechtburg castle ruins - Gügel pilgrimage church - historical buildings in Laibarös - Church of St. Vitus and St. Michael...

  10. #10 - Frankenweg Stage 13: Graefenberg - Schnaittach

    5.0 (1)·Hard·13.4 mi·Est. 6–7 hr
    Idyllic route section in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria On the 13th stage of the Frankenweg you get to see Franconian Switzerland once again from its best side: it goes past the waterfalls of the sinter steps, through idyllic forests and fields and past historical sights such as the rococo fortress Rothenberg. There are places to stop for a break. Highlights: - Former Benedictine monastery Weißenohe - Lillachtal waterfall - sintering stages - Rococo fortress Rothenberg - Schnaittach local...
Showing results 1–10 of 59
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Visitor info

Accessibility
Facilities

The information center in the "Old Train Station" in Muggendorf, for example, is open daily from 8.30 am to 6 pm between April and October.

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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 12.3 mi long with an elevation gain of 2,378 ft.

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 324.6 mi 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 50,206 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Franconian Mountain Trail, which has 38,776 ft of elevation gain.

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest