Discover Trockau: motorway church, castle and hiking trails

Trockau combines a distinctive location in the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park with a motorway church, a history of castles and several hiking options. To the west, the town borders Franconian Switzerland. Here, protected natural landscapes, a church building visible from far away and trails with different routes come together—things you can consider when choosing your destination and accommodation.

Motorway church: landmark and place of reflection

The church stands at Trockau’s highest point and is visible from far away. It was officially designated a motorway church in 2010 and is a listed building. As a place to stop and reflect, it gives the town a distinctive cultural character. To reach the church, take exit no. 43 Trockau and then follow the signposted local roads uphill.

The interior also features several distinctive details: the former baptistery houses a prayer and meditation room. Other features include a figure of St. Christopher by Bamberg artist Albert Ultsch and a Stations of the Cross made of coloured ceramics. The furnishings thus combine a quiet place of retreat with artistic and religious elements. If you are interested in architectural and religious history, the church offers a different way to discover Trockau from its hiking trails and landscape.

Castle history and trails through the landscape

Trockau Castle was built from 1769 to 1779 on the foundations of an older castle. Its history therefore reaches beyond the castle’s present-day appearance, back to an earlier fortification. Together with the listed motorway church, the castle is a notable part of the town’s history; each represents a different historical aspect.

There are several hiking options, which you do not need to combine into a single circular route. The Bierquellenwanderweg (Beer Springs Trail) can be shortened by taking the hiking trail from Leups to Trockau. From there, you can choose between the northern loop via Lindenhardt and the southern loop via Büchenbach. These two loops give you a specific choice when planning your hike.

In addition, hiking trail no. 232 runs from Trockau via Leups and Lindenhardt. It should be regarded as a separate route and not confused with the aforementioned shortcut on the Bierquellenwanderweg. When planning, it is therefore worth deciding first whether to choose the northern and southern loops or to follow trail no. 232 via the places mentioned.

Choose how to get here and where to stay to suit your trip

Trockau has its own motorway junction on the A9. This is a useful landmark if travelling by car is relevant to your trip planning. To visit the church, the route described via exit no. 43 and the signposted roads uphill is also relevant.

More to discover in the wider destination of Pegnitz

Pegnitz itself also offers places to visit during a stay in the wider destination. The 544-metre-high Schloßberg is considered the town’s landmark. Its tower can be reached via 97 steps and offers panoramic views over Pegnitz and the surrounding area. For those interested in landscape features, the “Karstwunder” (karst wonder) at Wasserberg offers something different: there, the Mühlbach loses some of its water on the northern slope in limestone fissures and a ponor cave.

Two approximate distances are given for a walk around Pegnitz: about 3.5 or 5.7 kilometres. Both routes start and finish at the Old Town Hall at Hauptstraße 45. This lets you choose between the available route lengths to suit your plans for the day. These trails, Schloßberg and the karst landscape are attractions in the wider destination of Pegnitz, not features of Trockau.

To the wider travel overview: Pegnitz.