A 732-metre-high granite dome, a castle ruin on Schlossberg and Gaisweiher, a nine-hectare natural swimming lake, give Flossenbürg three specific starting points for a stay. You can explore the area through its geology and trails, learn about the subjects covered by the museum and memorial, or consider walks and winter sports at Gaisweiher. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first decide which of these themes you want to shape your stay; each activity has its own conditions.

Granite and castle on Schlossberg

Schlossberg Flossenbürg is a 732-metre-high granite dome. Its onion-skin layering is clearly visible in some places. The castle ruin rises above Flossenbürg on the hill and is freely accessible at any time. The “Weg des Granits” (Granite Trail) circular route leads around Schlossberg and provides information about the formation and history of the hill. This offers two different ways to explore: the circular trail focuses on the geological structure and history of the hill, while the ruin marks the castle complex on the summit.

Walks, lake and winter sports

The Schattenweg starts at the Gaisweiher recreation and camping facility and loops around the lake. It is designated as both a summer and winter hiking trail. In winter, it is used at your own risk; snow is not cleared and icy patches are not gritted. Another hiking trail starts at the sports ground in Flossenbürg and leads via the district of Gaismühle to Gaisweiher, with benches along the way for resting; winter hiking on this route is also at your own risk. The starting points and routes differ: the Schattenweg loops around the lake, while the other route leads to it via Gaismühle.

For cycling, the starting point for Route 9 of the Simultankirchen-Radweg (Simultaneous Churches Cycle Route) is clearly specified: it is at the Protestant St. Pankratius Church at Hohenstaufenstraße 30 in Flossenbürg. The address is therefore a separate point of reference for planning your tour, independent of the hiking trails described above.

The Wurmstein ski lift is also located at Gaisweiher. It offers options for families and experienced skiers; operation depends on conditions. If you are including the lift in your winter plans, check whether it is operating before your visit. The lake, circular trail and ski lift thus offer different activities at a named location, but not under the same seasonal conditions.

Museum and memorial

The Castle and Stonemasonry Museum on Silberhüttenstraße covers the history of Flossenbürg Castle and the formation of local granite. The municipal tourism office organises guided tours. The museum thus brings together two of the area's themes: the castle and the rock that also defines Schlossberg.

The exhibition “Flossenbürg Concentration Camp 1938–1945” uses documents, objects, quotations and personal accounts by former prisoners. It offers insights into daily life in the camp, the struggle to survive and the mass deaths. A one-hour guided tour of the former quarry of Flossenbürg Concentration Camp complements the tour of the concentration camp. Visits to the quarry are weather-dependent. The exhibition and guided tour have different emphases: the exhibition presents its themes through a range of testimonies, while the tour supplements the visit with the former quarry.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Theisseil, Trabitz, Tännesberg, Luhe-Wildenau, Kirchendemenreuth, Vorbach, Kohlberg, Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.

Go to the overview of the wider area: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.