Discover Frankenthal through three distinct highlights: the parish linden on Pfarrberg, the Protestant church and a hiking route through the Massenei forest into the village. Together, they offer a glimpse of local history, landscape and a specific walking route. When planning your visit, it makes a difference whether you are mainly interested in historic sites, the view from Pfarrberg or a hike.
Pfarrberg, Parish Linden and Church
At 335 metres, Pfarrberg is Frankenthal’s most distinctive hill. From here, expansive views stretch across the surrounding countryside to the Lusatian Highlands. The parish linden, Frankenthal’s landmark, stands on Pfarrberg. Planted in 1783, it is designated a natural monument and bears a commemorative plaque. In the 1980s, a companion tree was planted opposite the linden, which had been weakened by lightning. It was intended to preserve the landmark for the future.
The Protestant church adds a different time span to this picture: it was built in the first half of the 14th century, recorded in the Diocese of Meissen’s register in 1495, and took on its present form in 1607. Its construction, early record and later form are three distinct historical reference points. Those interested in the village’s history will find not only the centuries-old parish linden but also a church with a long building history.
Hiking through the Massenei to Frankenthal
The Seeligstadt–Frankenthal Trail passes through the Massenei forest and continues to Frankenthal. In the village, it crosses a short stretch of the cemetery before ending at Beigut. There, it connects with the Gruna Hiking Trail; onward routes lead to Rammenau and Bischofswerda. This sequence links the route through the Massenei forest with a short section through the village and a clearly named endpoint.
If you are planning a hike, these waypoints help you get a sense of the route: Massenei, Frankenthal and Beigut are the successive points along the route described. At Beigut, the Gruna Hiking Trail provides an additional connection. This makes it possible to view the walk through the village as part of a longer hiking route, rather than conflating it with the connecting trails.
Trails and Landscapes in West Lusatia
West Lusatia is characterised by gentle hills, hiking and cycling trails, and sites of cultural and historical interest. A dense network of signposted trails and four themed cycling routes offer different ways to explore the region on foot or by bike. This regional perspective broadens the view beyond the specific hiking route through the Massenei to take in the area’s trails and landscape.
Cycling Routes in Bautzen District
The cycling routes described in Bautzen District differ in length, course and theme. The Bautzen North Tour is a 43.1-kilometre circular route: it leads from Bautzen via Quatitz, GroĂźdubrau, Milkel, Klix and Malschwitz back to Bautzen. Along the way, it passes through the heath and pond landscape and along the nature trail in Crosta.
The Hills and Valleys Route is a regional circular route through the West Lusatian hill country in Bautzen District. The Krabat Cycle Route is also a regional circular route; it follows in the footsteps of Krabat, the hero of Sorbian legend. The Central Route is on a different scale: a long-distance cycle route from Zittau to Aachen. One section passes through the Upper Lusatian Highlands in Bautzen District. The Spree Cycle Route runs from its source in Upper Lusatia to Berlin; the section in Bautzen District goes from Taubenheim to Zerre. The details of circular routes, the long-distance cycle route and regional sections help you distinguish the routes by their respective scope.
Discover more destinations: Pulsnitz, Sohland an der Spree, Bischofswerda, Bernsdorf, Cunewalde, Lichtenberg, Hochkirch, LauĂźnitz.
For the overall travel guide: Bautzen District.
