Ahorntal offers plenty of opportunities for hiking, cycling and climbing. The Sophienhöhle near Burg Rabenstein is also one of the attractions described here. When planning your visit, it is worth noting the differences: the Promenadenweg follows exposed paths, while two cycling routes are described, each with its own route and different length.

Hiking, Cycling and Climbing

The hiking trails in Ahorntal are connected to the hiking trail network of Franconian Switzerland. The Promenadenweg follows exposed paths and offers views down into the Ailsbachtal. This means you can access both a larger trail network and a specific trail described as following an exposed route with views into the valley.

The BT 10 cycle route runs from Kirchahorn via Eichig, past Altenhimmel and through the Weiglatal to Poppendorf; it is just under 30 kilometres long. BT 12 runs from Kirchahorn via Langenloh, Köttweinsdorf, Unterailsfeld, Pfaffenberg and Steifling and back; it is about 26 kilometres long. BT 12 is therefore the shorter of the two routes described; the routes also differ in their course. Check the current conditions for BT 12 locally.

There are numerous climbing opportunities in the Ahorntal/Ailsbachtal between Oberailsfeld and Kirchahorn. If you plan to climb, check the local access information beforehand.

Sophienhöhle near Burg Rabenstein

The Sophienhöhle features stalactite formations in a wide variety of shapes and colours. Well-signposted paths lead to the cave either from the Burg Rabenstein car park or from the valley floor. From the valley floor, the route climbs 35 metres in elevation; there is also a car park there. You can therefore choose between two starting points, although the route from the valley floor includes the climb mentioned above.

Bayreuth as a broader area to explore

The wider Bayreuth destination features contrasting landscapes: Franconian Switzerland defines the western and southern parts of Bayreuth district, while the Fichtelgebirge, with its dark forests and granite boulder fields, defines the northern part. The district also has a well-maintained network of around 1,400 kilometres of cross-country ski trails, hiking trails and cycle paths. Long-distance and themed cycling routes explore different natural areas; local circular cycling routes add density to the network and make it possible to plan routes on a more local scale. This is a different scale from the specific BT 10 and BT 12 routes described above.

Cultural attractions also broaden the scope of the wider Bayreuth destination. In Eckersdorf, the Gartenkunst-Museum Schloss Fantaisie opened in July 2000 as the first German museum at the time devoted exclusively to the history of garden art. Schlosspark Fantaisie brings together design elements from the Rococo, Sentimentalism and Historicism periods. The Franconian Switzerland Museum in Tüchersfeld is housed in the so-called Judenhof, a complex of buildings dating from the 18th century.

The ways to visit other caves in the wider Bayreuth destination differ: the Teufelshöhle can only be visited as part of a guided tour. At “Sophie at Night,” visitors can explore the three chambers of the Sophienhöhle at their own pace, without a group tour; lighting effects and music accompany the experience.

Discover more destinations: Kirchahorn, Bayreuth, Bischofsgrün, Emtmannsberg, Eckersdorf, Pegnitz, Pottenstein, Fichtelberg.

Go to the broader travel overview: Bayreuth.