Franconian Mountain Trail Stage 20: Pegnitz - Plech

This route is stage 20 of the Fränkischer Gebirgsweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria; this specific segment starts in Pegnitz and ends in Plech. The path leads from the town of Pegnitz into the vast, contiguous woodlands of the Veldenstein Forest (Veldensteiner Forst), one of the largest forest areas in Bavaria. The itinerary follows quiet, undulating forest tracks, passing impressive dolomite rock formations and traversing the scenic karst landscapes of the Franconian Jura before reaching the gateway to the nature park in Plech. Overnight stays are available in hotels, traditional guesthouses, and specialized hikers' accommodations in Pegnitz or Plech, as wild camping is strictly prohibited throughout the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park. Water is reliably available in the towns at each end, but a sufficient supply must be carried for the long, secluded stretches through the deep forest and limestone plateaus. Both trailheads are connected to the regional transport network, with a train station in Pegnitz and regional bus services in Plech; schedules are available at vgn.de. The Fränkischer Gebirgsweg is a 428 km (266 miles) premium trail running from Untereichenstein to Hersbruck, typically completed in 21 to 22 stages.