Eschenbach i.d.OPf. can be explored through two distinct interests: architectural history in the town and garden and nature experiences around the ponds. When planning your stay, you can decide whether to focus on churches and historic buildings or on trails and landscapes. There are marked hiking trails around Eschenbach, with both short and longer routes.
Churches and historic town
The Bergkirche Maria Hilf marks the western end of Eschenbach’s town square. Its stately façade features a columned portal and a tall curved gable; the tower was renovated in 1906. Inside, a spacious, bright nave sits alongside a narrower chancel, both covered by shallow barrel vaults. Beneath the gallery, a Neoclassical screen offers a view of the dark altar wall.
The other buildings also reflect different historical influences. Remains of the town wall can be seen in the lower part of the old town. The Gothic Catholic parish church of St. Laurentius was built around 1440, while the Late Gothic town hall dates from 1570. The historic Malzhaus stands on the town square and was restored in 2007; the Marian column dates from 1720. In the northern part of town is the Protestant Kreuzkirche, built in 1962. Eschenbach’s architectural history thus spans medieval churches and town-wall remains through to more recent buildings.
Gardens, plants and annual events
A visit to Beim Taubnschuster’s garden offers insights into native plants. The garden has the character of a traditional farmhouse garden, with herbs, vegetables and flowers. In the medicinal herb garden, native medicinal plants are labelled with their species and medical uses. From the upper terrace of the Taubnschustergarten, visitors can look across the garden towards the Kalvarienberg district and the Kreuzkirche. Visitors to the Beim Taubnschuster Museum can take the opportunity to visit the garden during the summer months.
Regular events at the AckerbĂĽrgerhaus Beim Taubnschuster include an Advent market on the first Sunday of Advent featuring local crafts, jazz evenings and folk music gatherings in the courtyard. If you would like to plan your stay around an event, check the specific dates in advance.
Pond landscape and trails
The marked hiking trails around Eschenbach offer short and longer routes, as well as views of the pond landscape and its wildlife and plant life. West of Eschenbach, the spacious municipal outdoor swimming pool is located at the Kleiner Rußweiher bathing lake. Nearby, the Naturerlebnis Rußweihergebiet trail loops around the Großer Rußweiher and Rußlohweiher ponds. In the area around Eschenbach, the 140-hectare Vogelfreistätte Großer Rußweiher nature reserve is separated from the recreational lake by a dam that can be driven across.
Another option is the Holzweg forest adventure trail near the B 470 by Eschenbach. Its attractions and facilities include a walk-in birdhouse, a “music school,” sound houses, a maze, a pond with a ferry and a playground. So, in addition to hiking trails, there are also specific attractions to choose from nearby.
The wider region: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab
The wider destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab has other distinct highlights. The Bockl is a 52 km route from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. It can be used on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates; it is mostly paved and free of motor traffic. Gradients rarely exceed 3 percent. Alongside the short and longer hikes around Eschenbach, this offers a regional route with a specified length and several ways to enjoy it.
In Parkstein, the basalt cone was included in the list of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes in 2003 and was awarded the “National Geotope” designation in 2006. A volcanic eruption is depicted every hour at Vulkanerlebnis Parkstein, and visitors can experience it on three levels; check the times before visiting. In Speinshart, the abbey church, with its Italian High Baroque interior, offers a different architectural highlight. It is one of the most significant Baroque buildings in southern Germany. Together, the monastery and the well-preserved historic monastic village of Speinshart form a cultural heritage site of European significance.
Discover more destinations: Neustadt Am Kulm, Kohlberg, Windischeschenbach, Floß, Tännesberg, Flossenbürg, Pressath, Theisseil.
View the wider travel overview: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.
