Two distinct themes lead to special discoveries in the municipality of Eckersdorf: the garden art of Schlosspark Fantaisie and the protected gorges at Teufelsloch. One is all about park design and history, the other about a natural monument and hiking trails. If you are looking for accommodation in Eckersdorf, first consider which focus you would like your days to have. The sights and routes described here offer some specific pointers.
Schlosspark Fantaisie: Garden Art and History
Schloss and Park Fantaisie date back to Duchess Elisabeth Friederike Sophie (1732–1780). The park brings together design elements from the Rococo, Sentimental and Historicist periods. The history of the Garden Art Museum can also be placed in context: the decision to establish it in Schloss Fantaisie was made in 1991, and it opened in mid-2000.
One of the special works of art at Schloss Fantaisie is the Spindler Cabinet, an inlaid-work masterpiece by the brothers Johann Friedrich and Heinrich Wilhelm Spindler. The park’s history also includes its water cascade: it was fully restored as a water feature from 2003 to 2005. These details add another dimension to a visit—from the historic setting of the grounds and their various garden styles to a single work of art and the cascade.
Teufelsloch and the Sandstone Gorge
Since 1941, the gorge forest at Teufelsloch has been designated a natural monument and placed under protection. The sandstone gorge is also specially protected as a natural monument. If you walk upstream through Teufelsloch from below, you will reach a waterfall at the end of the gorge after about 100 metres.
Teufelsloch was already a popular excursion destination in the 19th century because of its romantically rugged gorges. According to Cosima’s diary entries, Richard Wagner visited often and stopped at the forest hut. Today’s natural-monument landscape is thus linked to a history of excursions. The Teufelsloch hiking trail leads from the forest hut through the gorge and back to the hut; detours to Wolfsfalle, Lettenwinkel or the Wills Memorial are possible.
Hiking Routes and Time Planning
The “Über die Hohe Buche” Cuckoo Trail is about 8 kilometres long and takes approximately two hours. Starting in Busbach, it runs via Steinberg and Melkendorf along the woodland area known as “Die Hohe Buche.” It then crosses the Eschenbach stream towards Lochau and from there leads back to Busbach.
Cuckoo Trail 2 runs through the Busbach valley via Pfarrhügel to the Braunstein Monument. The route continues over Steinberg, offering wide views across Busbach, before returning to the starting point. The blue-marked “Durch das schöne Busbachtal zum Braunstein” route is listed as approximately 6.5 kilometres long and taking about one hour and 45 minutes. In terms of time, the “Über die Hohe Buche” Cuckoo Trail takes around two hours, compared with about one hour and 45 minutes for the blue route. These figures help you estimate how much time to allow for a hike.
When looking for an overnight stay, you can first choose between garden art and castle history or the hiking trails described here. Plan your outings using the route details and check trail conditions before setting out.
For the broader travel overview: Bayreuth.
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