Grafengehaig in the Frankenwald Nature Park

The market town of Grafengehaig lies in the Frankenwald Nature Park on the western side of Steinbruchberg. There are several ways to enjoy the outdoors: groomed cross-country ski trails, a hiking trail along mills and streams, and a challenging cycling loop around the Rehbach valley. The area can thus be explored through a range of outdoor activities. When planning your trip, you can first decide whether to focus on winter activities, walking routes or the cycling loop.

Cross-country skiing and sledding in winter

The district of Walberngrün is home to a winter sports centre with around 20 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. This includes a floodlit trail approximately 2.5 kilometres long, with an elevation gain of 80 metres. This single floodlit trail provides a shorter illuminated route option within the network. Snow and operating conditions may vary; check the current situation before planning your day on the trails. The town also offers a sledding hill. Cross-country skiing and sledding therefore provide different winter activities to consider when planning your trip.

Hiking trail and cycling loop

The approximately 18-kilometre Mill Hiking Trail starts in Grafengehaig. It passes numerous mills and streams, as well as valleys and clearings. The combination of water, mills and open stretches defines the route; its approximate length provides a practical guide for planning.

For cyclists, the roughly 14-kilometre KU 5 offers a different experience. The cycling loop starts in Grafengehaig, follows quiet roads around the Rehbach valley and its old mills, then returns to the starting point. Passing through Gösmes in Hof district and Grünlas, this short but challenging route winds through small Franconian Forest villages with slate roofs; it lies within the Frankenwald Nature Park. Check current route conditions before setting out. When choosing a route, distance is not the only factor: on foot, mills, streams, valleys and clearings shape the experience, while by bike, the challenging loop around the Rehbach valley takes centre stage.

Culture and history in the Kulmbach destination

The wider Kulmbach destination offers further cultural and historical attractions. The German Pewter Figure Museum at Plassenburg Castle houses more than 300,000 individual figures arranged in around 150 dioramas. In Wonsees, Zwernitz Castle was first mentioned in official records in 1156 as the ancestral seat of the Walpoten; Sanspareil Rock Garden lies right next to the castle. The garden retains the Rock Theatre in the grove, the Oriental Building and the Kitchen Building. Visitors can climb the tower of Zwernitz Castle and enjoy expansive views across the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park.

The Bavarian Brewery Museum offers another distinct focus: more than 3,000 square metres of exhibition space are devoted to the history and art of brewing beer. A visit ends with a tasting sip from the Glass Museum Brewery. Collections, architectural history, gardens and brewing culture thus complement Grafengehaig’s natural attractions and walking routes with other discoveries in the wider Kulmbach destination.

Choose the right base for your trip

The local routes offer different ways to plan your trip. For the floodlit trail and the other cross-country ski trails, consider snow and operating conditions; for the cycling route, check current route conditions. Tailor your search to the activities you actually plan to enjoy.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Neuenmarkt, Stadtsteinach, Himmelkron, Mainleus, Wonsees, Marktschorgast, Marktleugast, Presseck.

Back to the main travel guide: Kulmbach.