Selbitz: Meadow Festival, History and Trails

Selbitz is in the Hof district of Bavaria and combines local history with a traditional festival and walking and cycling trails. Whether you want to include culture, an easy hike or cycling in your trip, each offers a distinct focus for your time here.

Hiking and Cycling Around Selbitz

The Selbitztalweg OS 32 is an easy 13-kilometre hike. The equally easy Brotzeitweg OS 33 covers 16 kilometres and is a circular route that returns to its starting point in Selbitz. This makes the Brotzeitweg the longer route and gives you a circuit that starts and ends in the town. It passes through orchards and small settlements and over wooded uplands.

On the Brotzeitweg, hikers in Selbitz can try Frankenwald kid, blaue Zipfel sausages and the original Frankenwald dumpling with gravy. Offerings at individual establishments may change. Local changes may affect route details for these trails.

For cycling, the Selbitztal-Radweg HO 2 has a different profile: it is mostly flat, with only a few moderate climbs. The route follows the Selbitz to its confluence with the Saale at Blankenstein and ends at Bad Steben railway station. The Selbitztal cycle path opened in 2002 to promote tourism and healthy recreation.

History and Notable Names

Selbitz was first mentioned in a document in 1374. A rebuilt church in Selbitz was consecrated in 1640. The Evangelical Church of Selbitz has a pulpit altar by Knoll. A pulpit altar combines the pulpit and altar in a single structure—a distinctive feature of church interior design.

The name Bockpfeifer appears in the town’s history and in the name of a circular hiking trail. The Bockpfeifer figure recalls a nickname used in the 19th century and associated with itinerant musicians. A fountain dedicated to the Bockpfeifer stands next to the town hall. A circular hiking trail also bears the name; local trail changes may affect its route.

The Meadow Festival and Places in the Town

The traditional Selbitz Meadow Festival was established in 1834 and is still held in the second half of July. If you want to plan your trip around it, check the event dates with the organizer in advance, as they may be updated.

The Anger in the centre of Selbitz offers space to relax, exercise and attend events; dates vary. Selbitz is also home to the motherhouse of the Communität Christusbruderschaft.

As of 15 August 2026, the Selbitz School Museum is closed because the building has been decommissioned; its status may change. The exhibition recreates a classroom from around 1900 with its original furnishings. Exhibits include old reading books, pencil cases and timetables, regional settlement maps, a loom and carrying baskets.

Location and Transport History

Selbitz is considered to be close to the Bavarian Vogtland motorway interchange on the A9 and A72. The Hof–Selbitz–Bad Steben railway line began operating in 1887. Together with the hiking and cycling trails, these local points of interest give your trip a range of options: you can focus on the town’s history, the Meadow Festival, hiking or cycling.

Discover more destinations: Berg, Gattendorf, Oberkotzau, Münchberg, Hof, Zell Im Fichtelgebirge, Lichtenberg, Sparneck

Go to the main travel overview: Hof.