Scheßlitz between Giechburg and Franconian Switzerland

At the entrance to Franconian Switzerland, between Bamberg and Bayreuth, Scheßlitz lies at the foot of Giechburg and Gügel. Giechburg towers 530 m above the town. Juniper slopes and calcareous tufa streams are characteristic features of the landscape of Franconian Switzerland. A stay here brings together several different perspectives: striking landmarks, a walking tour of Scheßlitz, and routes for hiking and cycling.

Giechburg, Gügel and a walking tour of the town

Giechburg is a prominent landmark above Scheßlitz. To the east, the Catholic branch and pilgrimage church of St. Pankratius, also known as Gügelkirche, rises atop a steep rock. It is about a fifteen-minute walk from Giechburg. The castle and church are two distinct landmarks in the landscape, which are also easy to distinguish on a map.

If you would like to focus on the town itself, you can follow the walking tour of Scheßlitz, which introduces selected buildings. This offers a different experience from hiking outside the town and provides a distinct focus for planning your day. The buildings included on the tour can complement your wish to get to know Scheßlitz not only as a starting point for routes, but also through its selected architectural landmarks.

Hiking and cycling: two different route lengths

In autumn 2015, nine hiking trails of varying lengths were designated in the Scheßlitz municipal area. Hiking Route A is about 9.8 km long and passes Gügel, Giechburg and the Jewish cemetery. It is a good idea to check current trail conditions before setting out. The approximate distance and named stops provide useful guidance, though not all designated trails follow the same route or cover the same distance.

The Maintal-Leinleitertal cycle route offers another perspective: its 50 km overall route runs from Staffelstein to Ebermannstadt via Scheßlitz. The figures refer to different distances: the figure for Hiking Route A is its approximate length, while the one for the cycle route describes the full distance between its two endpoints. If you are planning your trip around a specific activity, you can choose between a named hiking route and a cycle route that passes through Scheßlitz as part of a longer connection.

Buildings and culture as other reasons to visit

Culture can also shape your travel plans. For several years, the Franconian Switzerland Theatre Summer has been presenting guest performances in Scheßlitz. As individual programmes are tied to specific dates, it is best to check the performance schedule for your travel period.

More to explore in the wider Bamberg destination

Other places in the wider Bamberg destination offer more ways to shape your trip. Weissenstein Palace near Pommersfelden is one of Germany’s largest Baroque complexes and houses an extensive gallery featuring works by French, Italian, German and Dutch painters. In the 18th century, Leonhard Dientzenhofer extensively remodelled the monastery complex at Ebrach, transforming it into a palace-like Baroque complex; the Gothic church, with its rose window, was preserved. The Museum of Ebrach History has been housed in the former Cistercian monastery since 2004 and explores the history of the market town and the monastery.

Nature and food trails add their own highlights to the Bamberg destination. The Methusalem Tour around Ebrach passes through the Spitzenberg nature reserve, where it takes in trees up to 250 years old or older and up to 144 centimetres thick. Seven culinary tours offer a taste of the Bamberg region: three cycling tours and four hiking routes lead to river landscapes, viewpoints, places to stop for a meal and regional producers. Alongside cultural destinations, there are also routes centred on nature and regional food.

Plan your stay around what matters to you

When looking for accommodation, first consider what you would like your trip to focus on: the town walking tour, Giechburg and Gügel, a hike or the cycle route. If you would like to explore other themes in the wider Bamberg destination, decide which places are important to your plans.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Wiesengiech, Altendorf, Hirschaid, Bamberg, Lisberg, Ebrach, Priesendorf and Burgebrach.

Back to the main travel overview: Bamberg.