The best traffic-free bike rides around Schwarzhofen

Pilgrimage Church of St. John Nepomuk - Johannisberg Church The pilgrimage to St. John Nepomuk at the Forst began when Pastor Florian Sigismund v. Miller from Oberviechtach built a small field chapel with a picture of John Nepomuk on the busy road from Regensburg to Bohemia in 1704. The chapel must have been very small. The pilgrimage was obviously very popular with the local population and passing traders, who donated generously to the small chapel, so that the desire to build a large pilgrimage church was soon expressed. Construction began in 1732: the farmers brought the necessary wood, stones and other materials. The church was built and fully furnished in just two years. Construction management was in the hands of unknown Electoral master masons from Amberg. Otherwise, the church as a whole is the creation of local craftsmen and artists. Spacious central building with a three-eighth choir, vaulted. The sacristy is attached to the north, with an upper floor as an oratory; they were only built in 1764/65. Nave has a flat roof with a cove. Gable turret. The stately high altar is dedicated to St. John Nepomuk. The altarpiece with the image of the church's patron saint by Matthias Pösl is flanked by two columns each; between the columns are the life-size figures of John the Baptist (left) and John the Evangelist (right). Above the altarpiece is a painting depicting God the Father, surrounded by numerous angel figures. The side altars are less elaborately designed: the left one is dedicated to the Queen of Heaven, the right one to St. Wendelin, the patron saint of cattle. The pulpit is erected on the left side of the nave, decorated with foliage and ribbon work and evangelist shields. Opposite is a high-quality, life-size wooden figure of St. John Nepomuk. The two late Gothic wooden relief figures of St. Barbara and St. Catherine are noteworthy. They appear very slim and delicate and were probably made around 1500. Where they came from and how they got to Johannesberg cannot be determined. An extensive renovation took place from 1972 to 1974. Source: Excerpts from pfarrei-oberviechtach.de/johannisberg/

Worthwhile old town with many sights. Beautiful city park for strolling and relaxing.

Good panoramic view, very nice!

Beautiful old town

Filial Church of St. Ägidius The church in Dautersdorf, once a parish church, fell victim to a fire on July 28, 1810. The lower part of the nave walls dates back to the old Romanesque church from the 12th or 13th century. An old octagonal baptismal font made of granite, which is set up in front of the church, dates from this period. In the 14th century, a spacious Gothic choir was added in place of an apse; its surrounding walls are not recessed, but continue in line with the nave walls. The choir comprises a long bay and ends with five octagonal sides. The cross-ribbed vault with hollow ribs is supported by corbels and ends with pointed choir arches towards the church. A pointed arch window is still preserved on the eastern side behind the altar. In the 17th century, pillars were built into the long walls for a vault, which fell victim to the fire in 1810. It was replaced by the current flat ceiling. The tower, built in 1856, stands on the west side in the longitudinal axis. The church was renovated on the outside from 1982 to 1987, the church and tower roofs in particular were damaged. On the south side there is an old stone portal that has been uncovered again, which was covered for a long time by a war memorial. The sacristy is attached to the south side of the church. It was demolished and completely renovated during the church renovation. The neo-Romanesque altar was purchased when the church was rebuilt in Bodenwöhr. It bears an altarpiece with St. Giles and a deer. On the left side there is a reliquary. In the middle there is a picture of St. Mary Help of Christians, the Madonna comes from the Franciscan monastery in Neunburg v. Wald, which was secularized on June 13, 1802. The pulpit has shellwork, on the body there is a bas-relief of the Holy Family, a sounding board with a dove, a canopy and carvings in Rococo. The wooden figures in the church are folk art: on the right side, St. Francis Xavier and St. Leonard with a cow; on the left, St. John of Nepomuk and Mary with the child. In the pointed arch to the choir, a crucifix with Dolorosa, wreathed on a bed of clouds, is attached. On a processional pole are images of St. Hubertus and St. Anthony. The processional cross standing on the pew is interesting because of its special proportions. Source: Church guide of the Neunburg vorm Wald deanery

I really liked the very natural and idyllic little path around the Weichselbrunn pond.

Traditional village inn in Zangenstein Along the "Bavarian-Bohemian Friendship Cycle Path", which runs on the former railway line from Wölsendorf to Schönsee, there is only one place to stop during the weekday to Obervietach in the village inn Kellermann in the middle of Zangenstein. Since there are no signs along the cycle path, cyclists who do not know the restaurant pass the mostly open "refreshment station" unsuspectingly. Hence my tip: Simply cycle a few meters from the cycle path to the center of Zangenstein. Mondays are always closed, but guests are welcome on all other days of the week between 10am and 6pm. Edeltraud, a passionate landlady, provides her guests, who prefer to sit under the awning around the large table in the courtyard, with snacks and drinks. Franz, the landlord, is very knowledgeable about bikes and can help if someone has a problem with their bike. God preserve us beautiful village inns like that of the Edeltraud and Franz Stockerl families.

Traditional village inn Kellermann in Zangenstein Along the "Bavarian-Bohemian Friendship Cycle Path", which runs on the former railway line from Wölsendorf to Schönsee, there is only one place to stop during the weekday to Obervietach in the village inn Kellermann in the middle of Zangenstein. Since there are no signs along the cycle path, cyclists who do not know the restaurant pass the mostly open "refreshment station" unsuspectingly. Hence my tip: If you are hungry, thirsty or feel like taking a break, simply cycle a few meters from the cycle path to the center of Zangenstein. Mondays are always closed, but guests are welcome on all other days of the week between 10am and 6pm. Edeltraud, a passionate landlady, provides her guests, who prefer to sit under the awning in the courtyard around the large table, with snacks and drinks. Franz, the landlord, is quite knowledgeable about bikes and can help if someone has a problem with their bike. God preserve us beautiful village inns like that of the Edeltraud and Franz Stockerl families.