Selbitz is in the district of Hof in Bavaria. Visitors looking to combine hiking and cycling trails with local history will find a range of options here: easy hiking routes, a cycling tour along the Selbitz River, the traditional Meadow Festival and the story of the Bockpfeifer. Two questions are especially useful when planning: would you like to take a tour on foot or by bike, and would you like to plan your trip around the festival in July?
Hiking through meadows, settlements and uplands
The Selbitz Valley Trail OS 32 is an easy 13-kilometre hike. The Brotzeitweg OS 33 is also rated easy: this 16-kilometre circular route starts and ends in Selbitz. The two trails therefore differ both in length and in that the Brotzeitweg is a loop that returns to Selbitz.
On the Brotzeitweg, orchards, small settlements and wooded uplands alternate. Regional cuisine is also among the options described along the route: hikers can try Frankenwald goat, Blaue Zipfel sausages and authentic Frankenwald dumplings with gravy in Selbitz. As individual businesses may change, it is advisable to check in advance where these specialities are currently available. Route details may change due to local trail alterations, so check the route before setting out.
Cycling along the Selbitz River
The Selbitz Valley Cycle Route HO 2 offers a different kind of tour: it is mostly flat, with only a few moderate climbs. The route follows the Selbitz River to its confluence with the Saale near Blankenstein and ends at Bad Steben railway station. Both the mostly flat profile and the railway station at the end are useful points of reference for planning your route. The Selbitz Valley Cycle Route opened in 2002 to promote tourism and recreation.
History, church and the Bockpfeifer
The first documented mention of the settlement of Selbitz dates back to 1374. The rebuilt church in Selbitz was consecrated in 1640; the Evangelical Church of Selbitz has a Knoll pulpit altar. These details give the town a clear historical connection, offering a distinct focus for a stay alongside its trails and festival.
The Bockpfeifer is also part of the town’s history: the figure recalls a 19th-century nickname associated with itinerant musicians. A fountain dedicated to the Bockpfeifer stands next to the town hall. The name also appears in connection with another activity: a circular hiking trail in Selbitz is also named after the Bockpfeifer.
The traditional Meadow Festival was established in 1834 and continues to be celebrated in the second half of July. If you would like to plan your trip around it, check the specific festival dates with the organiser in advance, as they may be updated.
School museum and public spaces
On 15 August 2026, the Selbitz Town School Museum was closed because the building had been decommissioned; this status may change. The museum includes a classroom from around 1900 in its original setting, old readers, pencil cases and timetables, as well as regional settlement maps, a loom and carrying baskets. The exhibits depict everyday school life and complement the town’s older history and church heritage with a glimpse into learning in times gone by.
The Anger in the centre of Selbitz offers space to relax, exercise and attend events; event dates vary. The motherhouse of the Communität Christusbruderschaft is also in Selbitz. Together with the church and museum themes, these offer a glimpse of the town’s varied cultural and community life.
Getting there and planning your stay
The railway line from Hof to Selbitz and Bad Steben, which opened in 1887, is part of the town’s transport history. For road travel, Selbitz is near the Bayerisches Vogtland interchange on the A9 and A72 motorways. As infrastructure details may change, it is advisable to check the current road layout when planning your journey.
This lets you plan your overnight stays around the activities that matter most to you, rather than trying to fit everything into a single day.
Discover more destinations: Konradsreuth, Naila, Feilitzsch, Bad Steben, Zell Im Fichtelgebirge, MĂĽnchberg, Regnitzlosau, Stammbach.
For the broader travel overview: Hof.
