Skip to main content
Back to Explore
Best long trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park

Best long trails in Franconian Switzerland-Franconian Jura Nature Park

4.1(1,214 reviews)

·

Bavaria
: 
#8 of 21 nature parks

All photos

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 - The Karstological Hiking Trail

    4.5 (81)·Moderate·7.8 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Family-friendly loop in Middle Franconia. The karst hiking trail near Neuhaus an der Pegnitz is an extraordinary hike that leads through an impressive karst landscape to grottos and caves, stone witnesses, sacrificial stones and the largest stalactite in Germany. The loop starts and ends at Neuhaus railroad station. The trail has many steep ascents and descents and sturdy footwear is recommended. Caution! Some of the markings are only visible at a late stage. The trail is very muddy when it...

  2. #2 - Pommelsbrunn 1,000-Meter High-Altitude Trail

    4.6 (67)·Hard·14.2 mi·Est. 8–9 hr
    This varied loop trail starts right in the village of Pommelsbrunn and winds its way through the rolling landscape of the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park. Two interconnected loops lead over several hills, including the Leitenberg and the Kreuzberg. Along the way, historic sights such as the ruins of Lichtenstein Castle and the Altes Haus castle site invite you to explore. The natural trails lead through quiet forest sections and over rocky terrain to impressive rock formations. The...

  3. #3 - Cave Hike: Muggendorf Loop

    4.6 (69)·Moderate·7.7 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Varied loop in the Franconian Switzerland-Frankenjura Nature Park, Bavaria. This romantic hiking trail starts in Muggendorf, from where you first follow the hiking sign with the vertical red line. The first exciting highlight of this tour will soon be reached: The Oswald Cave, which will eventually be completely crossed (don't forget your flashlights!). It continues through the forest to the Zwecklesgraben, from where the path is marked with a yellow ring. In the further course of the...

  4. #4 - Pottenstein Loop

    4.5 (39)·Hard·10.2 mi·Est. 5–5.5 hr
    Varied loop in the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park from Pottenstein. The beautiful hiking route leads through forests, along small streams and over hills with interesting rock formations and caves, which are so often found in the Franconian Jura. With a bit of luck, game and other native animals can be spotted along the idyllic trail. The trail starts at the Weihersbachtal car park, which is subject to a charge. The "B470" bus stop is also nearby. Highlights: - Pottenstein Castle -...

  5. #5 - Esperhöhle Cave

    4.7 (25)·Moderate·6.8 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Start: Tourist Information Gößweinstein, accessible by bus and train / parking spaces nearby Highlights: - Pilgrimage basilica for the Most Holy Trinity Gößweinstein - Esper cave - Gaillreuth Castle with refreshment stops - Sachsenmühle beer garden right on the river with a beautiful panorama - Historic Gößweinstein Castle

  6. #6 - Brauereienweg

    4.1 (41)·Moderate·8.1 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Varied 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

  7. #7 - Burgruine Neideck – Ruine Streitburg von Muggendorf

    4.7 (27)·Moderate·6.2 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hr
    Popular, panoramic hiking trail in Franconian Switzerland, Bavaria. The first stop are the Neideck ruins. From there on to the Bing cave and the lookout point Schauertaler Turm. On the way back, you make a detour to the Streitburg ruins and several viewpoints before you return to the starting point past the Muggendorf Kneipp facility. Highlights of the hike: - Neideck castle ruins - Wiesent Bridge - Prince Rupprecht Pavilion - Schauertal tower - Streitburg ruins - Muschelquelle

  8. #8 - Gößweinstein - Pottenstein - Schleife über Tüchersfeld

    4.4 (19)·Moderate·8.9 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    A varied circular hike from Pottenstein in the Franconian Switzerland - Franconian Jura nature park. This beautiful circular hiking trail leads from Pottenstein via the Kreuzkapelle to Gößweinstein, where the basilica is worth a visit. It goes back to the starting point via Tüchersfeld with its famous stone formations and the Franconian Switzerland Museum. -------------------------------------------------- - Accessible by bus and train

  9. #9 - Rundwanderung Walberla

    4.6 (22)·Moderate·7.3 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Family-friendly hike in Ehrenbürg near Wiesenthau, Bavaria. A beautiful circular hike around Ehrenbürg with moderate slopes and different landscapes (forests, meadows, villages). From the witness mountain you have an incomparable view of the lower Regnitz, Ehrenbach and Wiesenttal. Highlights of the tour: - Ehrenbürg nature reserve - St Walpurgis - People's Bach view - Wiesentthal view

  10. #10 - Paradiestal

    4.5 (28)·Moderate·6.8 mi·Est. 2.5–3 hr
    Family-friendly circular hike near Stadelhofen in Franconian Switzerland. This path explores Franconian Switzerland. It starts at the parking lot at Stadelhofen, but you can also start at Treunitz. On the hike, one can see the various rock formations and landscapes, including the Nostril Rock, the Blue Sea, and the Desert Stone. ------------------------------ Accessible by bus and train
Showing results 1–10 of 417
Explore more trails

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.

Parks

Headed to a park?

Take AllTrails with you

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest