Franconian Mountain Trail Stage 8: Waldsassen - Fuchsmühl

This route is stage 8 of the Fränkischer Gebirgsweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria; this specific segment starts in Waldsassen and ends in Fuchsmühl. The path leads from the monastery town of Waldsassen through the tranquil meadow landscapes of the Stiftland and enters the northern reaches of the Steinwald Nature Park. The itinerary climbs toward the historic "Wallfahrtskirche Maria Hilf" (pilgrimage church) and follows quiet forest tracks, offering views of the volcanic cones of the Upper Palatinate before reaching the gateway to the Steinwald in Fuchsmühl. Overnight stays are available in hotels, traditional guesthouses, and specialized hikers' accommodations in Waldsassen or Fuchsmühl, as wild camping is strictly prohibited throughout the Steinwald Nature Park. Water is reliably available in the towns at each end, but a sufficient supply should be carried for the long stretches through the open countryside and forests. Both trailheads are connected to the regional bus network; schedules and connections to the railway in Marktredwitz are available at bayerische-oberpfalzbahn.de or 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.