The best family-friendly hikes and walks in Löhlitzer Wald

Directly on the hiking trail to the Auberg elevation, hikers pass the Rutsch’n Häusla. The house name of this residential building, firmly anchored in the local dialect, presumably attests to its steep, prominent location directly on the edge of the Auberg. In Franconian Switzerland, such dialect house names ("Häusla") often designated buildings located on a prominent terrain edge – in this case, very likely on a historical slide, chute, or steep rock embankment (a "Rutsch’n") on the slope of the Auberg. Such names have often persisted in local usage for centuries as unofficial house names for residential buildings, even if the original reason has long since disappeared.

Anyone who follows the gentle murmur of the water on the riverbank opposite the Nankendorfer Mühle will discover a charming piece of history at the foot of the steep Lochberg wall: the Schatzbrunnen. This beautifully restored sandstone fountain was far more than just decoration in previous centuries – it served the people of Nankendorf as a vital source of drinking water. In 2009, the village community revived the historic structure from its slumber through joint effort. A special tip for spring holidaymakers: At Easter, the fountain is magnificently decorated according to old Franconian tradition with hand-tied garlands and hundreds of colourful Easter eggs. The mysterious name of the fountain also connects to the mystical world of legends in the valley. Just a short distance upstream lies the "Schatzlache" – a deep body of water from which, according to old chronicles, a green-haired nixie rose on stormy nights to guard a brightly shining gold treasure hidden at the bottom from the eyes of curious hikers. A wonderful, history-rich stopover right by the wayside, inviting you to take photos and dream.

Anyone traveling through Franconian Switzerland looking for a place where deep-rooted traditions, vibrant beer culture, and spectacular natural scenery merge perfectly, cannot miss Nankendorf. The idyllic parish village with its approximately 310 inhabitants is the second-largest district of Waischenfeld and nestles picturesquely into a wide loop of the Wiesent river. As one of the oldest settlements in the region, the village looks back on a fascinating history that is still palpable on every corner of the charming village center today. For active vacationers, Nankendorf is the perfect starting point. Major long-distance hiking trails such as the Fränkische Gebirgsweg and the Fränkische Marienweg cross the village. The most beautiful tours in the surrounding area start from here: whether it's a mystical ascent to the Dreifaltigkeitsmarter on the Auberg, a discovery tour upstream past the Truppach estuary and the historic weir to the Eichenmühle, or a vertical adventure at the Freudenhaus climbing rock in the nearby Aalkorb – Nankendorf opens the door to the most beautiful natural wonders of the upper Wiesent valley.

Those who conquer the historically significant elevation on foot along the old hiking trail between Waischenfeld and Nankendorf will encounter the Dreifaltigkeitsmarter (Trinity Stone) of Nankendorf on the wind-swept Auberg. This historical wayside shrine is far more than just a silent witness to past popular piety. In earlier centuries, it served as a fixed meeting point and resting place for far-travelled pilgrim and pilgrimage groups, where one would briefly pause and gather before collectively entering the valley. Its placement on the height is also of historical significance: the Marter marks an old, prominent territorial and judicial boundary between the episcopal offices of Waischenfeld and Hollfeld. Today, hikers particularly appreciate the spot for its mystical atmosphere, as one of the most chilling legends of the Franconian Switzerland is associated with the Auberg. According to folk belief, long before the Christian monument was erected, the plateau was a notorious haunt for the "Wild Hunt". On stormy nights, the legend says, a wild horde of spirits and demons swept howling over the mountain. Unfortunate hikers who crossed the border at that time had to immediately throw themselves to the ground for protection – for anyone who looked directly into the face of the ghost horde was inevitably doomed. A fascinating stopover for anyone who likes to delve into the region's legendary past.

An absolute highlight for history and photography enthusiasts in the Wiesenttal is the historic mill in the Nankendorf district of Waischenfeld. First documented in 1539, the striking building is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Franconian Switzerland. The current appearance as a long sandstone and half-timbered building with a hipped roof essentially dates back to 1800 and has been proudly owned by the Sebald family for centuries. Anyone standing on the idyllic riverbank today can admire the impressive undershot water wheel, which until 1992 still ground grain and today generates environmentally friendly green electricity. A closer look at the southern corner of the house also reveals historical flood marks, testifying to the dramatic water levels of past times. After extensive renovation in recent years, the owner family plans to make the fascinating historical mill technology inside accessible to the public in the long term as a small mill museum, making the place a perfect stopover on any discovery tour.

Rest area with information board at a crossroads of several small roads and forest paths. Opposite, there is parking for approx. 3 cars 🅿️

The old water supply in Nankendorf was renovated in 2009.

nice connecting path between Mengersdorf and Wohnsgehaig