Discover Hof: Höllental, museums and nature

The district of Hof is characterised by an Upper Franconian hilly landscape with diverse flora and fauna. Höllental is known for its hiking trails and rocky vistas; in Hof, Untreusee and its museums add to the attractions. The Hofer Land comprises 27 municipalities as well as the independent city of Hof.

Hilly countryside and trails through Höllental

Höllental is a 3.8-kilometre section of the Selbitz valley between Hölle, a district of the town of Naila, and Blechschmidtenhammer, which belongs to the town of Lichtenberg. In 1997, an area of 160 hectares in Höllental was designated a nature reserve; together with Muschwitztal, it forms an EU Special Area of Conservation. More than 30 kilometres of marked trails open up the hiking area between Hölle and Blechschmidtenhammer, as well as between the valleys of the Selbitz, the Thuringian Muschwitz and the Saxon Saale.

The routes differ in length and course. The Felsenpfad US 14 is a 5.4-kilometre hike through the unspoilt Höllental, passing rocks and offering wide-ranging views into the valley. The FrankenwaldSteigla Höllentour covers 7.4 kilometres along narrow paths through the nature reserve. The 11.2-kilometre König David circular trail leads from Issigau through Höllental to the König David viewpoint and back.

The Erlebnispfad Geologie und Bergbau circular hiking trail is around 7 kilometres long and runs between Höllental and the Lochbachtal valley to the west. It starts and ends at the Frankenwald Nature Park information centre in the old Lichtenberg railway station in Blechschmidtenhammer; parking is available there. The Frankenweg starts at a hiking junction in Untereichenstein, where the Rennsteig, FrankenwaldSteig, Blauer Kammweg and Fränkischer Gebirgsweg also begin. As details of the listed routes may change, check the latest route information before setting out on a specific hike.

Mining history and remembrance

The Friedrich-Wilhelm-Stollen is a working show mine and a 1,000-metre-long drainage tunnel founded by Alexander von Humboldt. It is a protected historic monument; its monument number is D-4-75-146-19. This also makes it an interesting place for anyone who would like to learn about the area's industrial history alongside hiking.

The German-German Museum Mödlareuth makes the former place of division and separation accessible as a memorial site, a place where borders were overcome and a place of encounter. On an open-air site of around 15,000 square metres, the museum preserves large sections of the former border installations specific to Mödlareuth in their original form. Here, visitors can experience history both outdoors and through the site's role as a place of remembrance and encounter.

Museums spanning comics, textiles and fire service history

The Erika Fuchs House in Schwarzenbach an der Saale is Germany's first comic museum. Interactive stations invite visitors to explore language in a playful way. Special exhibitions, talks, readings and workshops regularly focus on comics and the art of language; individual dates may vary.

The Upper Franconian Textile Museum in Helmbrechts traces the history of textiles from simple home weaving to industrial weaving. On the ground floor, three sections of the “Longest Scarf” are on display, weighing well over half a tonne. The recurring programme of courses on handicrafts and fabric processing includes sewing, quilting and printing; the programme may change.

Part of the Upper Franconian Fire Service Museum is housed in Schauenstein Castle. Using original exhibits, it shows the development of the fire service in the district of Hof from 1855 to the present day. A hand-operated fire pump from 1855 is described as the oldest and most important exhibit. The Schauenstein Local History Museum features animal specimens, a mineral collection, and rooms showcasing craftspeople and townspeople. Other local sights include the natural monuments “Wachende Jungfrau” and “Schlafender Riese”, the church and the listed market square ensemble.

The Marlesreuth Weaver's House illustrates the frugal lives of handloom weavers, centred on the dominant handloom and how it works. Built in the early 19th century, the building is one of the oldest surviving private houses in the village. In Hof, the Bavarian Vogtland Museum combines urban and regional history with the history of technology and textiles, crafts and trades, as well as natural history displays.

Water, walks and relaxation

Swimming, surfing, sailing, rowing and kayaking are possible at Untreusee in Hof. Some activities may be subject to seasonal regulations. In Bad Steben, the thermal baths' outdoor area features a 36°C brine pool with massage jets, neck showers, bubble loungers and a large geyser; check the latest information on facilities when planning a specific visit. For more than a century and a half, Bad Steben spa gardens have been a popular place for walkers, hikers and sports enthusiasts.

Plan experiences and accommodation location together

Since its expansion in October 2024, the Hofer LandBus has served around 1,450 stops. It operates without a fixed timetable and runs on demand via an app. Trips are available from 13 neighbouring service areas in the district of Hof to the city of Hof and back. As service areas may change, check the latest information before planning.

Your planned day trips can be a useful starting point when choosing accommodation: hiking in Höllental, water sports at Untreusee and museum visits each offer a different focus. First decide which experiences matter most to you, then compare the accommodation's location with the places you want to visit.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Konradsreuth, Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Issigau, Zell im Fichtelgebirge, Selbitz, Münchberg, Hof, Oberkotzau, Helmbrechts, Lichtenberg, Naila, Geroldsgrün, Regnitzlosau, Schwarzenbach am Wald, Berg, Bad Steben, Rehau, Feilitzsch, Trogen, Sparneck, Stammbach, Gattendorf, Köditz, Schauenstein.

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