Best bird watching 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 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
Top trails
- 4.1 (41)·Moderate·8.1 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrVaried circular hiking trail from Aufseß in Franconian Switzerland. Four well-known breweries are visited on this beautiful circular route: Stadter Brewery, Reichold Brewery, Kathi-Bräu Brewery and Rothenbach Brewery. Meanwhile, you can enjoy the beautiful landscape of Franconian Switzerland. Highlights: - Unteraufseß Castle - Purchase of a brewery pass on completion of the hike ----------------------------- Accessible by bus and train
- 4.6 (23)·Moderate·2 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrFamily-friendly walk in Franconian Switzerland in the city triangle Nuremberg-Bamberg-Bayreuth. Rabenstein Castle is a popular destination in the region. The natural paradise, enthroned on a high plateau above the Ailsbach valley, includes the historic castle with refreshment stops, a mystical stalactite cave, its own falconry and recurring events such as the popular medieval markets. --- Accessible by bus and train
- 4.5 (21)·Easy·2.1 mi·Est. 0.5–1 hrCharming trail in the Franconian Switzerland-Frankenjura Nature Park, Bavaria. This beautiful hiking trail starts in Weißenohne at the train station and leads to the Lillachquelle. Along the Lilach, this path mainly takes you through shady forest paths. The hike takes about 2 hours. Highlights: - River source Lillachquelle - Lillach sinter terraces - Former monastery mill - Monastery Church of St. Boniface
- 4.4 (20)·Moderate·5.2 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrPopular circular hike from Pottenstein in Franconian Switzerland. Duration: approx. 2 hours Highlights of the hike: - Viewpoint Hohe Warte over Pottenstein - Pottenstein Castle - Himmelsleiter observation tower - Pottenstein Devil's Cave - Schöngrundsee -------------------------------------------- Accessible by bus and train
- 4.4 (16)·Moderate·6.1 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular loop trail in the Franconian Switzerland-Frankenjura Nature Park, Bavaria. The start and finish of this 10 km hike is the Weißenohe train station. After about 3 km you reach the corpse linden tree, whose name goes back to the times when only Catholics were allowed to be buried in the Weissenoh cemetery and deceased Protestant citizens had to be brought to Kirchruesselbach. The corpse lime tree served as a resting place or meeting place along the arduous trail. From here you walk...
- 4.7 (12)·Moderate·4.5 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrPopular circular hike through the Ahorntal in the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park. The numerous caves and bizarre rock formations around Oberailsfeld can be visited from the hiking car park between Schweinsmühle and Klausstein. On the way back you pass the popular Rabenstein Castle with its rustic refreshment stops. --- Accessible by bus and train
- 4.8 (19)·Moderate·8 mi·Est. 4.5–5 hrPromising hiking tour in Streitberg, Bavaria. This beautiful circular tour starts at the train station in Streitberg and takes about 3 hours. This tour offers wonderful views of knightly and royal footsteps via charming field and forest paths. Highlights of the tour: - Castle ruins of Streitburg - Neideck castle ruins - Rock formation Felstor - Water Source Shell Source - Bing cave - Brunhildenstein
- 4.4 (5)·Moderate·5.8 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hrPopular hike in the Franconian Switzerland-Frankenjura Nature Park, Bavaria. The Teufelshöhle is the largest cave in Franconian Switzerland. This beautiful hike through the Bärenschlucht leads to this stalactite cave. Overall, the circular route offers a lot of individual design space. For example, you can visit Pottenstein Castle, which was built in the 11th century, or take a detour to the Pottenstein Adventure Rock. Highlights of the hike: - Bear Canyon - Guided tour of the Devil's Cave...
- 4.8 (15)·Moderate·7.2 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrPicturesque hiking trail through the Pegnitzauen, Bavaria. The Pegnitzau between Ranna and Michelfeld is characterized by the river Pegnitz, which meanders naturally through the valley. The nature reserve lies mainly within the Ranna water protection area, which safeguards the drinking water supply for the greater Nuremberg area. The hike leads through the valley and the path is flat to slightly hilly. The wildlife that can be observed is particularly interesting: lizards, slow worms,...
Visitor info
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
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Activities
- Backpacking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Birding trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Camping trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Rock climbing trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Running trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Scenic driving trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Via ferrata trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Walking trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
Attractions
- Cave trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- City walks in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Easy trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Event trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Forest trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Hard trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Lake trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Long trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- 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
- Dog-friendly trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Kid-friendly trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Partially paved trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Paved trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Trails for leashed dogs in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park
- Wheelchair-friendly trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park