Mistelgau can be planned on two specific levels: the circular hiking trails differ in length and starting point, while art and local customs offer their own themes. If you first compare the desired trail length, you will find several named routes; if you are looking for seasonal customs, you can use Holy Week, April 30, and the period from July to October as a guide.

Circular Hiking Trails by Length and Starting Point

The 6.5 km circular hiking trail around Mistelgau starts and ends at the Rot-Kreuz-Haus Mistelgau. The 5.5 km Hoher Berg circular hiking trail also starts and ends there. The 6 km Kulmleite loop starts and ends at the Mistelgau municipal works depot; the start and finish of the 5.7 km Schobertsberg circular hiking trail are on Culmer Straße. Route descriptions for each of these four trails are still being prepared.

The distances provide a direct basis for comparison: at 5.5 km, Hoher Berg is the shortest of the four loops, while the circular hiking trail around Mistelgau is the longest at 6.5 km. At 6 km and 5.7 km respectively, Kulmleite and Schobertsberg fall in between. A longer option is the St. Rupert circular hiking trail: it is 14 km long and passes through, among other places, Obernsees, the St. Rupert Chapel, Geislareuth, Mistelgau, Frankenhaag and Streit. An 8 km shortcut is also indicated. This makes it possible to compare the loops with named start and finish points with the longer route and its shortcut, based on their stated distances.

Art and Seasonal Customs

Twelve sculptures by local artist Fritz Föttinger stand along the Ehrlichbach in Obernsees. They are made from iron taken from old agricultural equipment. The collection brings together a named artist, a clearly described material and a specific location.

Every year on April 30, the Hummeltrachten-Erhaltungsverein Mistelgau carefully handcrafts and erects a maypole on Mistelgau village square. During Holy Week, associations put up Easter fountains in Mistelgau and some parts of the municipality. The two customs are therefore associated with different parts of spring.

The municipality of Mistelgau also holds eight multi-day Kerwas (traditional village fairs) from July to October, organized by the local young men’s associations. In terms of timing, there is a clear distinction: the maypole and Easter fountains belong to spring, while the Kerwas season runs from summer into autumn.

Geology and the Knockhütte

The “Zum Donnerkeil” geotope is located within the municipality of Mistelgau. The “Zum Donnerkeil” fossil pit contains unusual fossils, including a belemnite battlefield and dinosaur remains. Fossil collecting and digging are restricted there; please take this restriction into account when planning your visit.

The Knockhütte stands on a 547 m-high White Jurassic hill, which has been a nature reserve since 1997. On Sundays and public holidays, drinks and light meals are available at the Knockhütte for up to 40 guests. Check before your visit whether this offer is currently available.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Braunersberg, Bindlach, Betzenstein, Emtmannsberg, Weidenberg, Pegnitz, Fichtelberg, Bad Berneck Im Fichtelgebirge.

For the main travel overview: Bayreuth.