Schwarzenbach in the Upper Palatinate Hills

Schwarzenbach lies in the Upper Palatinate Hills at the foot of Eichelberg and alongside the Haidenaab floodplains, as well as in the heart of the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park. The Haidenaab flows through the municipality; its banks provide habitats for rare plants and birds. The hills, river floodplains and protected natural areas give the village a distinctive landscape setting.

Schießlweiher and nature trails

The Schießlweiher nature reserve, part of an old chain of ponds, lies near Schwarzenbach. These ponds were primarily used to ensure a steady supply of water to the hammer mills in the Haidenaab Valley. In the Manteler Forest area, the very low nutrient levels in the catchment area of the tributaries led to the development of a very rare pond-bottom flora and a peatland-like siltation zone at Schießlweiher. The Bavarian Nature Conservation Fund owns Schießlweiher and helps protect rare and endangered animal species there, including amphibians and dragonflies.

Paths run along the lake to the south and east of Schießlweiher, offering good views of it. To protect the siltation zone, please stay on these paths.

Things to do in Schwarzenbach

For active days in Schwarzenbach, enjoy outings for running, Nordic walking, hiking, cycling and mountain biking. Two cycling routes pass through Schwarzenbach: the Haidenaab-Creußen Valley Floodplain Cycle Route and the Leuchtenberg Tour. At the start of Pechhofer Straße, the Radl-Point offers parking and information about the cycling network. Check current route conditions before setting out.

History, refreshments and getting here

Schwarzenbach is mentioned as early as 1285 in the ducal land register as a ducal estate belonging to Waldeck Castle. In Pechhof, a district of the municipality, the renovated Landsassensitz is considered a particularly worthwhile sight.

Guests can stop at the village shop in Schwarzenbach and enjoy a light meal, ice cream, or coffee and cake in its cosy café corner. Check in advance whether these offerings are currently available. Schwarzenbach also has a railway station on the Weiden–Bayreuth line. If you plan to travel by train, check the latest service information and timetable before your journey.

Cycling in Neustadt an der Waldnaab district

Neustadt an der Waldnaab district is part of the Upper Palatinate Forest destination and offers activities including hiking, cycling, museum visits and swimming in numerous bathing waters. One specific cycling route there is the Bockl: this 52 km route runs from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. It can be used on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates. The Bockl is mostly paved and traffic-free; gradients exceed 3 percent only rarely along the route.

The Bockl’s starting point in Neustadt an der Waldnaab is directly accessible by train. Trains run hourly to the terminus of the Nuremberg–Neustadt an der Waldnaab line, where you can transfer directly to your bike. Check the timetable before planning your journey. The Bockl can be planned as a 52 km route with specific endpoints; the two cycling routes through Schwarzenbach offer a direct connection to the village.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Pleystein, Kohlberg, Neustadt An Der Waldnaab, Vohenstrauß, Flossenbürg, Störnstein, Vorbach, Waldthurn.

To the overview of the wider destination: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.