Below the summit of Hausstein, a small plateau is home to a granite column almost two metres high. Its inscriptions commemorate two precisely dated visits: King Max II and Marie on 11 July 1849, and a Bavarian prince on 10 June 1901. In Schaufling, these tangible traces of history meet hiking trails that pass through varied landscapes and offer different viewpoints.
Hiking trails through mixed forest and open countryside
Hiking Trail No. 18 passes through mixed forests and, in places, open countryside. It offers views of the Lallinger Winkel, Hausstein and the Danube plain. Trail No. 17 crosses the open countryside at the foot of the Hausstein ridge and affords views of the Lallinger Winkel, Brotjacklriegel and the Danube plain. Both trails take in the Lallinger Winkel and the Danube plain; the forest sections of No. 18 and the open setting of No. 17 offer different experiences.
An alternative Goldsteig route runs from Rusel through the Hausstein high forest, past the Asklepios Clinic to Schaufling, then via Wulreiching, Ragin, Ensbach, Böhaming and Ginn to its junction with the main route. Destination hiking trail No. 7 between Nadling and the Asklepios Clinic is prepared as a winter hiking trail. If you plan to use it for a winter outing, check local information about seasonal preparations before you travel.
The herb education trail at the “Kräutersegen” herb garden is 2 km long and passes through open countryside and mixed forest. It is located in the municipality of Schaufling. Nearby, the GEHsundheitsweg starts at the Ruselabsatz car park on state road ST 2135. Information about getting there by public transport is available on the municipality’s website.
Local landmarks and memorials
Königstein is on the small plateau below the Hausstein summit. Inscriptions on the granite column commemorate the presence of King Max II and Marie on 11 July 1849, as well as that of a Bavarian prince on 10 June 1901. The named people and dates make this memorial a tangible part of local history.
In the centre of Schaufling, right in front of the parish church, stands the ancient “village lime tree”. It is considered a natural attraction and a natural monument, and is a distinctive landmark of Schaufling’s townscape. The lime tree and the granite column thus represent different aspects of the local area: a natural monument in the town centre, and a stone memorial commemorating two dated events.
Award-winning hamlets in the municipality
The appearance and history of the villages also matter in Schaufling’s hamlets. Ensbach has a distinctive ensemble of traditional farmhouses. In the 2000 district-level round of the “Our Village Should Become More Beautiful – Our Village Has a Future” competition, the hamlet received the silver medal as runner-up. Schützing came first in the Bavarian state round of the same competition and second in the national round.
The hamlet of Sicking in the municipality of Schaufling is known for its natural character and idyllic valley setting. In 2006, it received an award for its achievements in garden and landscape culture in creating a place where people can enjoy a high quality of life. Together, the three hamlets offer different facets: an ensemble of traditional farmhouses in Ensbach, competition success in Schützing, and Sicking’s celebrated village character and valley setting.
Deggendorf as a wider landscape setting
The wider Deggendorf travel region stretches from the heights of the Bavarian Forest, across the Danube landscape with the Isar’s confluence, to the rich colours of the Gäuboden plain. Elevations range from 200 to 1,150 metres above sea level. The castle ruins of Natternberg and Winzer also offer different views across the Deggendorf travel region. From Natternberg Castle Ruins, the view extends far across the Gäuboden and into the Bavarian Forest; footpaths lead to the ruins from three directions. Winzer Castle Ruins offer a magnificent view of the Danube valley.
For the broader travel overview: Lalling.
