Plankenfels lies on the three rivers Wiesent, Lochau and Truppach. The town offers a range of highlights for your stay: rocks and views, geological information, a signposted hiking route and historical landmarks.
Rocks, Geology and Hiking
At 481 metres high, Plankenstein is a striking dolomite rock above Plankenfels. Its panoramic views make it appealing to hikers, while the rock is also a popular climbing spot. This means the same rock offers two distinct experiences: views and climbing. A geopark hiking trail in Plankenfels provides an engaging introduction to regional geology, adding a geological theme to the landscape.
The Via Imperialis begins in Plankenfels and follows field, forestry and woodland paths through forests, past viewpoints and across wide open fields to Muthmannsreuth. The signposted route is 13.5 kilometres long. Its varied landscape gives the hike a different focus from a single rock: along the way, woodland sections, viewpoints and open fields alternate. Check the local signage before setting off. A detour to NeubĂĽrg offers the chance to explore the NeubĂĽrg Nature and Art Space.
You can choose between two distinct hiking experiences: a striking rock with panoramic views and climbing opportunities, or a signposted route that crosses several types of landscape. The geopark hiking trail offers another distinct focus, providing an engaging introduction to regional geology.
Historical Traces
Plankenfels Castle probably dates back to a castle complex from 1255. Another part of the town’s history is the Eichenmühle mill near Plankenfels: it was a grain and sawmill, first mentioned in an official document in 1692, and closed in 1955. Together, these two sites point to different chapters in Plankenfels’ history, from the probable origins of the castle to the operation of the mill.
Hiking Trails and Places in the Municipality
The municipality also offers its own hiking opportunities. As part of the 2020 ILE regional budget, six cultural hiking trails in and around the municipality of Plankenfels were developed and published in a leaflet with information. These trails cover a wider area of the municipality than the Via Imperialis, which begins in Plankenfels. This distinction helps differentiate a single route in the town from the cultural hiking trails developed for the municipality. In the wider Bayreuth travel region, the Franconian Switzerland shapes the western and southern parts of the district with its varied, gentle landscapes, while the Fichtelgebirge defines the northern part of the district with dark forests and granite block fields. The district also has a well-maintained network of around 1,400 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking trails and cycling routes.
In Schressendorf, a village in the municipality of Plankenfels, a small chapel stands beside a bench at the southeastern edge of the village, at the forest boundary. It can be reached via a gravel path. This detour turns your attention to a different part of the municipality from the rocks and hiking attractions around Plankenfels.
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