Treffelstein can be explored through two specific themes: the Dragon Tower can be viewed from the outside, while the information centre at the tower, with its rooftop terrace, offers panoramic views. If you would like to spend time outdoors, you can start the Sägmühlenweg trail at the church; it leads to Silbersee. Along the way, traces of historic water use and opportunities to observe nature take centre stage.

The Dragon Tower and Church Art

The information centre at the Dragon Tower opened on 12 September 2021 in the former water reservoir at the tower. Its rooftop terrace offers panoramic views. The Dragon Tower itself, located in the centre of town, can be visited in a different way: it is privately owned and can be viewed from the outside. The rooftop terrace is part of the information centre; visits to the tower itself are limited to viewing it from the outside.

The baptistery of Treffelstein Church also contains a Gothic relief dating from around 1480. It offers a distinct point of interest alongside the Dragon Tower: here you encounter a work of art from the late Middle Ages, while there is a building whose viewing options are clearly limited. Both details give a visit to the town a cultural focus, although they are not the same kind of attraction.

Along the Sägmühlenweg to Silbersee

The Sägmühlenweg begins at the church in Treffelstein and leads via Hauptstraße, a short stretch of Silberseestraße and field paths to Silbersee. It follows the reactivated millrace along the Silbersee circular hiking trail (Tb10). There is also a nature observation station and a water wheel that marks the site of the former sawmill. The route therefore combines a specific trail with information about observing nature and the area’s historic use.

In the area around Treffelstein, the Silbersee circular hiking trail passes three beaches with sunbathing lawns, as well as regularly spaced benches and covered rest areas. It is described as being about seven kilometres long; the route measured for accessibility is also listed as 6.4 kilometres. These descriptions are based on different measurements. The trail is step-free and mostly easy to walk or cycle. Its accessibility certification is valid from May 2024 to April 2027.

Recreation and Nature at Silbersee

Swimming, paddling, sailing, surfing and fishing are offered as recreational activities at Silbersee. The nature description relates especially to the north and west shores: after the lake was created by damming, these shores were left to nature, allowing a biotope to develop. The area around Silbersee provides habitats for amphibians, reptiles, insects, birds and fish; it also offers suitable conditions for beavers and bats. The lake thus combines recreational activities with a distinct connection to nature, particularly along these two stretches of shore.

Another way to get active outdoors is to take a short tour on the Trans Bayerwald mountain bike route, which runs through the municipality of Treffelstein. Its description differs from that of the Sägmühlenweg: here, the focus is on the mountain bike route through the municipality, while the trail to Silbersee and its stops take centre stage there.

Culture in the Wider Cham Destination

In the wider Cham destination, Furth im Wald offers a distinct cultural attraction in the form of the Drachenhöhle (Dragon Cave). The tour provides information about the city’s dragon story, the festival and the technology behind the dragon robot. If you are planning a visit, check the operator’s latest visitor information beforehand. Furth im Wald is also home to the summer festivals that form part of the Drachenstich tradition. These offer two different ways to experience the town: a tour covering topics from history to technology, and a seasonal festival.

Discover more destinations: Weiding, Cham, Rimbach, Arrach, Waffenbrunn, Wald, Stamsried, Zandt

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