Pirka: Hiking along the Black Regen, cycling to Kronberg

Discover Pirka on two circular hikes and a cycling loop. The routes vary in length, duration and difficulty: from an easy outing along the Black Regen to a moderate bike ride with a challenging section.

Circular hikes along the Black Regen and to Kronberg

An easy 7 km circular hike can start at the Pirka campsite. It follows mostly natural forest and meadow paths directly alongside the Black Regen. The route is considered easy and suitable for the whole family. This combination of riverside scenery and forest and meadow paths makes it an especially appealing outing to enjoy together.

A second circular hike covers 9 km and is also considered easy. It leads from the campsite through Pirka to Kronberg and back along forest and field paths. The loop takes about three hours; along the way, there are views across Viechtach. In comparison, the 7 km loop runs directly alongside the Black Regen, while the longer route connects the path through Pirka with Kronberg. The approximate duration gives you an additional point of reference when planning your day.

By bike: a moderate circular route

Cycling brings a change in both difficulty and terrain. The 24 km cycling loop is considered moderate. It follows the Black Regen along forest paths to Kronberg, then descends toward Höllensteinsee, partly on a challenging singletrack, and returns via the Regental Cycle Route. The route therefore includes forest paths as well as a section specifically described as challenging. If you are planning a bike ride, keep this singletrack in mind when assessing the loop. This makes the cycling day quite different from the hikes considered easy.

More to explore in the wider destination of Viechtach

For cycling, the wider destination of Viechtach also offers a longer route: the 162-kilometre Regental Cycle Route runs between Regensburg and Bayerisch Eisenstein and passes directly through Viechtach. This is a different distance from the 24 km cycling loop, which returns via the Regental Cycle Route. The named endpoints help put the scale of this cycle route into perspective.

For a cultural detour in Viechtach, the Church of St. Augustine adds a distinctive architectural touch: its Rococo decorations include stucco work on the ceilings and walls, rose garlands and rocaille ornamentation. The Old Town Hall in Viechtach dates from 1542. The second floor houses a permanent exhibition on the Großer Pfahl nature reserve.

The Viechtach Local History Museum focuses on three topics: Viechtach in historical views, images and signs of popular piety, and linen processing in earlier times. The Viechtach Environmental Education Centre aims to provide environmental education for all age groups. Together, these topics offer perspectives on Viechtach that differ from the paths and landscapes at the heart of hiking and cycling.

Discover more destinations: Blossersberg, Schlatzendorf.

Back to the overview of the wider destination: Viechtach.