Home for shy residents
The second smallest nature park in Bavaria is often left behind on the way south. Its 900 meter high granite ridge stands out as a striking landscape of the northern Upper Palatinate. The rock is characteristic of the region; The impressive rock formations include the robber rock, which is popular with hobby climbers, or the Saubadfelsen, whose sea of granite blocks slowly moves down into the valley as a "stone glacier". In addition, basalt knolls, fish ponds and extensive forests characterize the wild and romantic landscape. Two thirds of the nature park area is designated as a landscape protection area, in which rare animal and plant species such as black stork, freshwater pearl mussel, garden dormouse, osprey and arnica feel at home. For a few years now, the lynx has even returned to the home.
Through the Upper Palatinate Grand Canyon
The original region invites nature lovers to actively experience. Many hiking trails lead past the Weißenstein castle ruins and the 33 meter high Upper Palatinate Tower. Both are considered landmarks of the stone forest and offer breathtaking views over the largest contiguous forest area in Central Europe. In the Kemnather Land, the ascent to the Waldeck castle ruins, which is one of the oldest castles in the Upper Palatinate and sits enthroned on a basalt cone around 640 meters high, is worthwhile. Another highlight is the twelve kilometer long "Upper Palatinate Grand Canyon": Between Falkenberg and Windischeschenbach, the Waldnaab has created a spectacular nature reserve that can be explored on foot or by bike. The river valley is lined with extraordinary flora and fauna of up to 50 meters high granite rocks at the edge of the path and in the river bed. The Steinwald cycle path, which runs 63 kilometers around the nature park, is suitable for well-trained touring cyclists or e-bikers. The almost completely paved path leads with a few inclines through pond landscapes, forests and meadows and touches small villages, old mills and idyllic farms.
