Mitteleschenbach lies in a hilly, forested landscape in the northern Franconian Lake District. The town combines woodland excursions with insights into its local history: circular hiking trails, a cycling route and an audio guide sit alongside the churches of St. Nicholas and St. Walburga, as well as the Goose Fountain in the town centre. To plan your visit, you can choose from a circular route, the cycling connection to Lake AltmĂĽhlsee, and a cultural-history trail with listening stations.
Circular Trails and Forest Landscape
The municipality of Mitteleschenbach has signposted more than 50 kilometres of new circular hiking trails around the town. The hiking map “Hiking in the Mönchswald – Hiking Tips Around Mitteleschenbach” features six circular trails ranging from 6 to 14 kilometres in length. If you have a preferred distance, the map provides a useful framework for planning. The hiking maps are available free of charge from Mitteleschenbach Town Hall and various inns.
The extensive Mönchswald forest offers nature lovers a variety of ways to relax. The woodland around the 526-metre-high Mönchsberg offers opportunities for hiking and cycling. The forested hills are part of the character of these excursions, along with the choice of a circular route or a cycling activity.
Explore by Bike or with an Audio Guide
Well signposted cycle route No. 8 connects Mitteleschenbach with Lake Altmühlsee, bypassing the Mönchswald ridge. The lake is 14 kilometres away. This provides an alternative to the circular hiking trails: a cycling connection with a clearly named destination. If you prefer a route with a destination to a circular tour, Lake Altmühlsee is the landmark for this route.
The Altmühl-Mönchswald Listening Tours offer an audio-guided tour of the Mönchswald community, about 1.4 kilometres long, with eight listening points. Its themes include daily life in the village in the past, as well as work, school and faith. The audio trail therefore has a different focus from the hiking map: alongside the distance, it puts the presentation of local history centre stage. You can choose the circular trails by their length and the listening tour by its cultural theme.
St. Nicholas and St. Walburga
The parish church of St. Nicholas in Mitteleschenbach is a simple late Gothic sandstone building. During an extension, a new choir and nave were built in 1895; the older church was retained as the transept. The furnishings also include works from different periods: the high altar is adorned with a crucifix from the late 15th century. The church also contains valuable high-relief figures depicting the Lamentation of Christ, dating from around 1520.
The cemetery church of St. Walburga is considered the oldest building in Mitteleschenbach. Its altar was consecrated on 13 June 1400 by Auxiliary Bishop Seyfried of Eichstätt. In 1722, the church was extended to plans by Gabriel di Gabrieli, the director of construction at the time. Work on the cemetery church was completed in July 2020. A virtual visit to St. Walburga is also available.
Another glimpse of the town’s history awaits you in the town centre, on the village square: the Goose Fountain is adorned with bronze figures by artist L. Kressel-Orfzky. They refer to rural and agricultural life in times past.
For the wider travel overview: Wolframs-Eschenbach.
