Top 20 Natural Monuments around Witzmannsberg

Geological observation Numerous rock outcrops with strong "Wollsack" weathering can be found in the entire area. During the Tertiary period, the rock was deeply weathered. Only in the area of more compact granite domes could the weathering not progress so quickly. During the Quaternary period, the weathered layers were eroded. Only the intact rock areas remained. The rock ensemble of rounded granite blocks near the "Steinernes Kirchlein" forms small hollows, niches, and rock passages. Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU). https://www.umweltatlas.bayern.de/standortauskunft/rest/reporting/sb_geotope/generate?additionallayerfieldvalue=272R028

Always a great destination

The Geistlicher Stein (Spiritual Stone) of Ringelai: A Valuable Geotope At the Geistlicher Stein, several imposing rock cliffs, rising up to 40 meters from the slope, offer a beautiful view to the southwest into the valley basin of Ringelai. The rocks, composed of granitic-granodioritic dark diatexites ("palites": tectonically deformed rocks of the mylonite zone in the vicinity of the Pfahl fault zone), exhibit distinctive spheroidal weathering. The rock here has a granitic habit. Numerous large feldspar crystals are embedded in a coarse-grained matrix. Bavarian State Office for the Environment (LfU). https://www.umweltatlas.bayern.de/standortauskunft/rest/reporting/sb_geotope/generate?additionallayerfieldvalue=272R029

The starting point of the four-kilometer hike with 150 meters of elevation gain is the hiking car park in Entschenreuth (Zum Wackelstein, 94163 Saldenburg-Entschenreuth). There is also a bus stop in the village. We follow the well-signposted circular hiking trail 84 for the entire tour. From the car park, we begin the hike on a forest path toward the edge of the forest. Right at the beginning, we pass a meadow with numerous knapweeds, which bloom well into autumn. If you look closely, you can see that the bright pink blossoms are surrounded by brown, scaly bracts, which together look a bit like a pineapple. After a few hundred meters, the path branches off to the left into the forest. From here, it's a steady climb, with some very steep sections awaiting us on the way to the Wackelstein. At the edge of the forest, you can hear a veritable concert of birds, and the call and song of a coal tit mingles with the great tits. At first, the forest is particularly idyllic, with numerous pines mingling with the beeches and spruces. A closer look at the forest floor is also worthwhile, as the heather is currently in bloom here. Gradually, the path becomes steeper and steeper, and after a while, the pines give way to a beech forest with large, moss-covered stones. Once at the top, it's worth taking a detour to the right to the wobbling stone. Can you make the stone, which weighs an estimated 50 tons, wobble? It's worth trying! The information board there tells you all about the origins of such natural phenomena. After this detour, we head back west, continuing along the Red 84 trail. Now the path descends steeply and gently. After a quarter of an hour, we pass an impressive rock formation, the Stone Church. Once at the bottom, we rejoin the same forest path at the edge of the forest, which we follow back to the parking lot. https://www.bayerischer-wald.de/aktivitaeten/wandern/wandertipps/zum-wackelstein-bei-entschenreuth

The Stone Church is a rock formation. The weathered rocks form towers, crevices and caves. An iron cross is attached to one such cave. Hence the name Stone Church.

Very nice view, but if you climb on the rocks you should not be afraid of heights and should not be afraid of heights. A little further up there is also a wooden bench with a table.

Very beautiful view

Always a great hike to Geistliches Stein, no matter which direction you come from. We always enjoy going up there. The view is worth the effort in all seasons. Can also be reached by mountain bike via a few paths, provided you have good technology