Those choosing Lichtenau im Mühlkreis for an exploratory trip can combine architectural history with time outdoors: chapels, castle history and trails through the characteristic Bohemian Forest landscape offer different highlights. For your planning, it is especially helpful to distinguish the specific historic sites from the broader selection of cycling and hiking trails. This makes it easier to focus either on individual buildings or on a tour through the landscape.
Chapels and Their History
At Heilig Wasser, the building history goes back further than the present-day chapel: the first chapel was built around 1250, while the present chapel dates back to around 1470. During the general renovation in 1980, a Lourdes grotto and a war memorial were built beside the Heilig Wasser Chapel in Hörleinsödt. The dates of origin and the work carried out in 1980 describe different periods: the earlier date refers to the former chapel, the later one to the present chapel and its additional memorials. The Heiligenwasser Chapel stands near Hörleinsödt, by Haslach, beside a farm track; its white exterior stands out against the forest.
The Lichtenau Chapel occupies a different location: it stands at Lichtenau’s northwestern outskirts, at a fork in the farm road near the Grafenauer farm building and the former district road. It belongs to the Grafenauer family, who look after and maintain it. Its location, connection to the farm road and family care give this building a distinct context. This setting on the edge of the village differs from the history of the chapel at Heilig Wasser.
Castle and Protected Buildings
Lichtenau Castle can be understood through two different points in time: Sifrit der Hugenberger was its first known owner, and today the castle is privately owned. Its early ownership history and current ownership status belong to different chapters of the village’s history.
The form of protection is also precisely distinguished for other named buildings. According to the monument register, as of 23 June 2026, the Toheibl Mill at Hinternberg 5 is protected as a monument by official decision. For the Oedt village chapel, the register gives the same date for protection by ordinance. The mill and chapel are therefore subject to two different forms of monument protection.
Trails Through the Bohemian Forest Landscape
The Tanzbodenweg passes right by the Heilig Wasser Chapel. Near Hörleinsödt, it offers views across the Upper Mühlviertel from the memorial cross; on a clear day, the view reaches as far as the Alps. The view therefore depends on clear conditions, while the trail’s location by the chapel provides a permanent landmark. Those who would also like to take in architectural history along the way will find both on this named trail.
Cycling and hiking trails wind through the characteristic Bohemian Forest landscape in the municipality and around Lichtenau. This broader selection complements the specific Tanzbodenweg: it is identified by its chapel and viewpoint, while the other trails offer a more general picture of the opportunities for hiking and cycling. When choosing what to focus on, you can therefore consider whether to follow a particular hiking route or instead focus on the broader theme of cycling and hiking trails through the landscape.
Discover more destinations: Auberg, Julbach, Altenfelden, Oepping, Niederwaldkirchen, Ulrichsberg, Sankt Veit Im Mühlkreis, Niederkappel
For the regional travel overview: Rohrbach.
