Discover Sonnen: The route through the solar system

In Sonnen, the solar system provides the theme for a hike: the Solar System Hiking Trail begins at the town hall next to the church, where the Sun model is located, and ends at the model of the dwarf planet Pluto at the observation tower in Oberfrauenwald. At 6.8 km, the route combines an astronomical scale with a hike from the starting point to the finish.

A route on the scale of the solar system

The sizes and distances of the Sun and the planets are shown along the route at a scale of 1:1 billion. The focus is therefore not only on individual celestial bodies, but also on their relative sizes and distances. The scale gives the hike a consistent theme: it begins with the Sun model and ends with the Pluto model. If you are interested in astronomy, you can include the tour in your travel plans as a combination of exercise and a tangible model of the solar system.

From the Sun model to Pluto

The stated route length is 6.8 km. At the finish, by the observation tower in Oberfrauenwald, you can look back towards the golden Sun. The view from the destination thus revisits the trail’s theme: the beginning and end of the tour are marked by the Sun and Pluto. The distance gives you a concrete point of reference for planning your outing; at the same time, the astronomical theme is more than just a route description.

For other interests, it is worth exploring the wider Passau destination, where cultural, nature and hiking attractions offer different points of focus.

Culture in the wider Passau destination

The wider Passau destination includes the Bavarian Forest Museum Village in Tittling. Visitors can explore more than 100 residential and farm buildings from the Bavarian Forest, dating from 1580 to 1890, across 20 hectares. The collection includes farmhouses, mills, sawmills, blacksmiths, chapels and field monuments. Germany’s oldest elementary school, dating from 1666, is also part of the museum village. The focus here is on historic buildings and their varied uses—a different thematic approach from the planetary models in Sonnen.

The wider Passau destination also offers options for nature lovers and hikers. The Haus am Strom Nature Experience Centre lies in the narrow Bavarian-Austrian valley of the Danube, below Untergriesbach. The Passau region is shaped by rivers, forests and thermal spas; well-known thermal springs are located in Bad Füssing and Bad Griesbach. The region also features the Granite Experience Hiking Trail around Hauzenberg and the Smuggler’s Trail in the Danube Pearls. Their locations offer a different way to explore the region from the trail in Sonnen, with its specific focus on the planets.

For culture lovers, Ortenburg Castle Culture is another option in the wider Passau destination. The event series organised by the Ortenburg Castle Friends’ Association runs from April to December and includes musical performances, cabaret shows, spooky nights at Ortenburg Castle, talks and guided tours. If you would like to include an event in your travel plans, check the dates for the relevant season.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Neuhaus Am Inn, Hauzenberg, Fürstenzell, Tettenweis, Ruderting, Tiefenbach, Salzweg, Neukirchen Vorm Wald.

Go to the wider travel overview: Passau.