The GEO-Centre at the KTB, Neuhaus Castle and the Zoigl taverns give Windischeschenbach a character that brings together geoscience, local history and the local brewing tradition. Each offers a different focus: the GEO-Centre explores the Earth and geoscientific experiments, Neuhaus offers a castle and museum, and the Zoigl taverns serve Zoigl and hearty snacks.
Geology, Castle and Zoigl
The GEO-Centre at the KTB in Windischeschenbach is an environmental education centre. Its offerings include the permanent “SystemErde” exhibition and the GEO Lab for geoscientific experiments. The exhibition and lab complement one another: you can explore topics relating to the Earth and learn about geoscientific experiments.
Neuhaus Castle in Neuhaus was built around 1300 by Ulrich I of Leuchtenberg. Neuhaus was incorporated into Windischeschenbach in 1972. The Waldnaab Valley Museum is housed in the castle. It offers insights into the natural and economic history of the Waldnaab Valley; its exhibits also cover local history, art, culture, nature and research. This brings architectural history and various aspects of regional history together in one place.
There are numerous Zoigl taverns in Windischeschenbach and the district of Neuhaus. Zoigl is served unfiltered, generously hopped and low in carbonation, often accompanied by a hearty platter of homemade specialities. A guided tour of the communal breweries can be arranged by registering with the tourist office. A guided walk through the town also covers its history, the Catholic parish church of St Emmeram and the centuries-old Zoigl tradition; a visit to the communal brewery is included. Ask the tourist office about current packages.
Waldnaab Valley: Trails and Scenery
In the Waldnaab Valley, you can hike the Goldsteig Trail or a riverside path. The Goldsteig, a certified quality hiking trail, passes through the valley, starting in Neuhaus, a district of Windischeschenbach, and ending in Falkenberg. The landscape cinema at the KTB offers another opportunity to enjoy the vastness of nature in peace.
For cyclists, the Panorama Tour starts in Windischeschenbach every year on the last Sunday in June. Selected routes pass through the hilly landscape of the Upper Palatinate Forest. Check the latest event details before travelling. At the adventure playground by the Waldnaab, children can balance, feel and climb. The outdoor swimming pool on the edge of town has a swimming pool, a non-swimmer pool and a paddling pool for children. The listed play facilities include slides for children, a basketball court, a beach volleyball court and a football target wall. The pool is open seasonally, and opening hours vary; check the latest information before your visit.
Getting There and Connections
Windischeschenbach is a railway station on the Weiden–Hof line. Bus services run towards Neustadt an der Waldnaab, Weiden in der Oberpfalz and Friedenfels. If you are planning your journey around these services, check current connections and travel times. The destinations listed indicate the directions served by bus, but are not a substitute for checking the current timetable.
In the Larger Destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab
The district of Neustadt an der Waldnaab is in the Upper Palatinate Forest destination and offers activities including hiking, cycling, museum visits and swimming in numerous bathing waters. One route option in the wider destination is the 52 km Bockl, which runs from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. You can use the route on foot, by bike or on inline skates. It is mostly paved and traffic-free, and gradients rarely exceed 3 percent. Its length, surface and permitted uses provide practical points of reference when choosing a regional tour.
Discover more destinations: Grafenwöhr, Pressath, Parkstein, Floß, Flossenbürg, Waidhaus, Kirchenthumbach, Kohlberg
See the overview of the wider destination: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.
