Discover Kronach: Franconian Forest, castles and trails

Forest peaks, valleys and a varied landscape give the district of Kronach its distinctive character. The larger northeastern part extends into the Franconian Forest, a densely wooded, gently rounded upland range with many valleys. Elevations there range from around 500 to just over 700 metres. The rest of the district lies in the northern Upper Main hill country, which descends southwest from the Franconian Forest to around 300–500 metres. Escarpments and terraces shape the landscape here. Most of the district lies within the catchment area of the Rodach and its tributaries, which flow southwest towards the upper Main.

Castles, palace rooms and art

Kronach brings together different chapters of architectural history. Rosenberg Fortress combines medieval, Renaissance and Baroque military architecture. The oldest surviving document to mention the name “Rosenberg” dates from 1249. The Franconian Gallery displays 220 outstanding masterpieces of painting and sculpture from the Late Gothic and Renaissance periods in Franconia, across 1,000 square metres.

Heunischenburg in the Gehülz district also reaches far back into history: it is considered one of the oldest stone castles in Europe north of the Alps and one of the finest fortifications in Central Europe from the late Bronze Age. The origins of Mitwitz Water Castle date back to the mid-13th century. It acquired its present Renaissance appearance through alterations and additions between 1596 and 1598. Original Baroque wall coverings survive in five rooms, with coverings from later periods in other rooms. Guided tours also give visitors a glimpse of the private rooms of the castle’s last residents; check the current visiting options in advance.

The main castle at Lauenstein Castle houses a museum with armour, weapons and preserved historicist furnishings. These include tiled stoves, paintings, and wall and ceiling paintings spread across more than 20 rooms. The history of the building and its collections can be explored in different ways, from the Bronze Age fortification to the historic interiors of a palace.

Hiking, cycling and getting around

For a hike, two FrankenwaldSteigla trails offer clearly different levels of difficulty. “Entlang der Marter” is a 14.7-kilometre, moderately difficult hiking trail in Kronach. The “Ködeltour” in Steinwiesen is longer, at 17.1 kilometres, and is rated very difficult. Check the latest route information and conditions before setting out. Another way to get active is the 14-kilometre circular route around the Mauthaus drinking-water reservoir. It is suitable for skating, cycling, roller skiing, roller skating and running.

An 18-kilometre section of the Rennsteig in the Thuringian and Franconian Forests runs through the district of Kronach. The Rodachtal Railway offers a ride between Steinwiesen and Nordhalben on a historic locomotive with historic carriages; check operating dates before travelling. Route 1609 runs from the district town of Kronach through the Rodach valley to the spa town of Bad Steben. From May to October, a bicycle trailer is available on the Radlbus. Demand-responsive buses take visitors to places including Lauenstein Castle; check the reservation requirements in advance.

Crafts and choosing accommodation

In Nordhalben, the lace-making school offers craft courses for visitors; check the current options before your trip. The pond mill museum in Steinwiesen shows how water power is used to cut wood. These experiences complement the choice of hiking trails, historic collections and architecture with insights into crafts and technology.

When looking for accommodation in Kronach, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your trip: would you like to concentrate on architectural history and art, take a particular hike, or combine several outdoor activities? The destinations and routes offer different starting points. Choose where to stay based on the places and experiences that interest you most.

Discover more destinations: Kronach, Mitwitz, Pressig, Steinwiesen, Wallenfels, Marktrodach, Wilhelmsthal, Nordhalben, Küps, Steinbach Am Wald, Tschirn, Stockheim In Oberfranken, Ludwigsstadt, Tettau, Teuschnitz, Weißenbrunn.

See the main travel overview: Bavaria.