Wackersdorf: Mining History and Experiences

In Wackersdorf, traces of lignite mining meet leisure activities at Lake Murner and motorsports. The town’s transformation can be explored in the museum, at the visible coal seam and along a nature trail; there are also destinations with a completely different focus. You can tailor your stay to the topics that interest you most.

Traces of lignite mining

The Wackersdorf Local History and Industry Museum tells the story of the town, its society and its industry through changing times. Geological Site 99, “Wackersdorf Lignite,” is right next to the museum. It was formed from the former “Westfeld” mining area; a coal seam is still visible there today, south of the main town of Wackersdorf. The museum and geological site offer different insights into the subject: the town’s development and a visible trace of past mining.

The 4.8 km-long museum trail runs through a former mining area that has since been reclaimed and passes Geological Site 99 and the Tertiary Forest. It connects the Wackersdorf Local History and Industry Museum with the Lignite and Local History Museum in Steinberg am See; the route between them is about 5 km long. The route thus links the subject of mining with two museums and a landscape that has since been reclaimed.

Motorsports and Kneipp facilities

ProKart Raceland has an indoor track almost 500 m long and an outdoor track about 1.2 km long. World and European championships are held there, and visitors can also drive on the track themselves. If you want to plan your trip around a championship, check the date of the relevant event in advance.

Wackersdorf has two Kneipp facilities in different locations, each with its own features. The natural Kneipp facility at Lake Murner is right on the nature trail. The other is below the Panoramabad swimming pool and has an herb garden. This Kneipp facility is open daily from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m., from April 29 to October 31. Check the current opening hours before your visit.

Experiences at Lake Murner

The Wasser-Fisch-Natur adventure park at Lake Murner is a family highlight. Its play area is open from April to October; check the current seasonal information before your visit. There are designated accessible parking spaces in front of the adventure park. The paths and sanitary facilities are accessible, but not wheelchair-accessible.

The Upper Palatinate Fairy-Tale Garden, created by the municipality of Wackersdorf, lies along the circular trail around Lake Murner. Stories come to life there on display boards, in illustrations and through wooden sculptures. Here, storytelling takes center stage, while the Local History and Industry Museum focuses on the town’s history and the transformation of its industry.

Schwandorf as a regional setting

The district of Schwandorf is a holiday destination in the Upper Palatinate Forest. The Upper Palatinate Lake District in the district of Schwandorf is defined by water and varied landscapes. One regional connection to Lake Murner is the Weiher cycle route: it connects Schwandorf with the lake, is about 9 kilometers long, is fully signposted in both directions and passes through the Charlottenhofer Weiher nature reserve.

When looking for accommodation, you can first decide whether to focus your stay mainly on Wackersdorf’s local history and leisure activities, or to include the wider Schwandorf region. This keeps the choice of destination at the forefront, without assuming any particular accommodation features.

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Back to the regional travel overview: Schwandorf.