Discover Thurmansbang

Thurmansbang brings together hiking trails, historic architecture, and opportunities to spend time outdoors. The “Diebstein” trail passes through several named stops on its way to the Bründlkapelle chapel and back; near Solla, the Schartenkirchlein chapel recalls a former fortified site. The spa gardens focus on reclining therapy and controlled sunbathing. This gives you a range of ideas for planning your trip, without any single experience having to define your stay.

Hiking trails with specific routes and varying levels of difficulty

The “Diebstein” hiking trail (No. 67) starts at the Thurmansbang Tourist Information Office. From there, it runs along Puchberger Straße, through Finkenthal and past the Buchwiesweiher pond below Diebstein, continuing toward the Bründlkapelle chapel and back to Thurmansbang. The route is about 4.5 kilometers long. Its course can be followed by reference to the named places; the approximate distance provides a guide for planning.

The municipality of Thurmansbang also has ten recommended terrain health trails, each with a different level of difficulty. The scale ranges from 1 for the easiest trail to 10 for the most challenging. If you want to take different requirements into account when planning your trip, you can use this rating as a guide. The information distinguishes the trails by difficulty rather than presenting them as a uniform offering.

The Schartenkirchlein chapel, spa gardens, and water

The Schartenkirchlein chapel near Solla was the most historically significant building in the former municipality of Solla. A fortified site once stood here: the castle of the noble family of Scharten. The Schartenkirchlein is believed to have been its castle chapel. The medieval structure is designed in the style of rural churches. This combination of a history of fortification and sacred use gives the building a distinct historical dimension, without making the possible interpretation as a castle chapel a certainty.

The spa gardens, with a climate pavilion next to the church, offer a sheltered place for fresh-air reclining therapy, protected from wind and rain. The sunbathing lawn is intended for controlled sun exposure, also known as heliotherapy. This is a different way to spend time outdoors than walking the municipality’s trails.

Fishing is also possible in Thurmansbang at the Buchwiesweiher pond, Ebenreuther See, and Dreiburgensee. Please check locally for fishing permits and conditions.

Landscape and culture in the wider Freyung-Grafenau destination

In the wider Freyung-Grafenau destination, Bavarian Forest National Park offers another perspective on the landscape. It extends into the district of Freyung-Grafenau and opened on October 7, 1970, as Germany’s first national park. According to the 2024 zoning, 75.37 percent of its area belongs to the natural zones. In the Buchberger Leite wild-stream gorge, steep rock ridges force the boulder- and cascade-filled Wolfsteiner Ohe into a deeply constricted channel; remnants of primeval forest have survived in the moss- and fern-rich ravine woodlands. An eight-kilometer themed hiking trail, with information boards and an accompanying brochure, runs through the Buchberger Leite between Freyung and Ringelai. Historic timber-floating walls, tunnels cut into the rock, and above-ground channels bear witness to centuries of human activity there.

You can also discover specific cultural attractions in the wider Freyung-Grafenau area. Built around 1700, the Schramlhaus is now the oldest rural homestead in Freyung and, in terms of its original character, one of the oldest in the district. It houses the Wolfstein Local History Museum and also contains more than a hundred original examples of reverse glass painting, a form of sacred folk art.

Near Neuschönau, the treetop walkway is part of the Lusen National Park Centre. The wildlife enclosure there offers insights into the national park and its native wildlife. Its circular trails are also suitable for small children who cannot yet manage long distances—an option specifically suited to families on these trails.

The Gabreta Archaeological Adventure Park adds to the region’s cultural attractions: its buildings are reconstructions based on original Celtic structures and symbolically represent Celtic finds from the hill of Paul Freund. Practical activities for visitors include bread baking; guided tours led by experts about Celtic life can also be booked. Check the current program details before visiting.

Choose accommodation to suit your trip

A simple way to plan is to consider whether you want to focus on the trails, spa gardens, and Schartenkirchlein chapel in Thurmansbang, or also include destinations in the wider Freyung-Grafenau area. Once you have decided on your preferred focus, you can tailor your accommodation search accordingly.

Discover more destinations: Freyung, Schöfweg, Grafenau, Neureichenau, Spiegelau, Schönberg and Ringelai.

Back to the wider travel overview: Freyung-Grafenau.