Thanstein combines nature trails with striking reminders of local history. In the Prackendorfer and Kulzer Moos nature reserve, a three-kilometre educational trail partly runs along boardwalks. The protected area is located in the municipality of Thanstein. There are also various routes with different destinations and viewpoints, as well as the castle tower. This makes it easy to focus your trip on the moor, trails through forests and countryside, or historic places.
Nature Trails and Nordic Walking
The educational trail in Prackendorfer and Kulzer Moos is a clearly defined way to explore the nature reserve: the route is three kilometres long and runs along boardwalks for some of its length. If you prefer to choose from several routes, the Schwarzwihrberg Nordic Walking Park has nine trails that start in the municipality of Thanstein. Their difficulty levels range from easy to challenging; use of the park trails is free.
Individual routes also have their own distinctive features. The Kaisereichen Route leads from Thanstein along improved forest paths to Lake Eixendorf and offers views across the water. The Warberg Route is suitable for Nordic walking and provides views of the reservoir bridge, Gütenland, Penting, the Murnthal, Rösslberg and Eibenstein. In choosing between them, the Kaisereichen Route focuses on the way to the lake, while the Warberg Route offers a series of named viewpoints.
Further details help you find your way on individual trails. The Bauhof Route is marked at intervals of around 200 metres with clearly visible brown arrows. The Bodenwald Route passes the parish church of St. John the Baptist in Thanstein. A Zubringer-Kulzer Route starts at the Wintergarten Café in Thanstein, runs between two large ponds towards Kulz and joins the Kulzer Route there. A feeder route to the Kulzer Route, marked with a red arrow and the word “Zubringer” (feeder route), starts in the centre of Thanstein.
Castle Tower, Church and an Artwork in Kulz
The castle tower and the ruins of Thanstein Castle are reminders of the town’s medieval history. The freestanding round tower is 17 metres high and was restored in 1887. From the tower, you can see as far as the Bohemian Forest and the Bavarian Forest. Access is via a card reader for an ID card or driving licence; admission is free.
The Catholic parish church of St. John the Baptist in Thanstein also reflects several phases of construction: it dates from the mid-16th century, was later extended and has a west tower dating from 1880/83. The Bodenwald Route passes the church. If you would like to combine trails with local history, you can include a visit to the church in your plans along this route.
An artwork resembling the famous Stonehenge in England stands on the eastern edge of Kulz. It is more than six metres tall, and each granite stone in the installation weighs over 40 tonnes. This gives Kulz a distinctive cultural attraction alongside its nature and trail offerings.
Getting There by Bus
Bus route 2513 connects Oberviechtach and Schönsee with Winklarn, Thanstein and Neunburg vorm Wald. If you plan to travel on this route, check the current route before your trip, as details may change.
Discover more destinations: Kleinwinklarn, Schwarzhofen, Seebarn.
Back to the main travel overview: Neunburg Vorm Wald.
