The church, castle and hiking trails offer different topics to consider when planning a trip to Trockau. The town is located in the Franconian Switzerland–Veldenstein Forest Nature Park and borders Franconian Switzerland to the west. Its own exit on the A9 motorway provides an additional point of reference for its location.
Location and Directions
To reach the motorway church, take Exit 43, Trockau, and then follow the signposted local roads uphill. This makes the town’s general connection to the A9 and the specific route to the church two distinct points of reference.
The Motorway Church in Trockau
The church stands at the highest point in the town and is visible from far away. It was officially designated a motorway church in 2010 and is also a listed building. It offers a place to rest and pause for reflection. The former baptistery houses a room for prayer and meditation. The church’s features also include a St. Christopher figure by Bamberg artist Albert Ultsch and a Stations of the Cross made of coloured ceramic. The church is thus notable both for its official role as a motorway church and for the features of its interior.
Castle History and Hiking Trails
Trockau Castle was built between 1769 and 1779 on the foundations of an older castle. Its history therefore includes an earlier castle as a predecessor and the construction of the present castle in the late 18th century. This is a distinct historical focus alongside the church.
The hiking options can also be distinguished by the routes named. The Beer Spring Hiking Trail can be shortened by taking the hiking trail from Leups to Trockau. From there, you can choose between the northern loop via Lindenhardt and the southern loop via BĂĽchenbach. Another route is Trail No. 232, which leads from Trockau via Leups and Lindenhardt. The route via Leups to Trockau is described as a shortcut for the Beer Spring Hiking Trail, while Trail No. 232 names its own sequence of places.
More Highlights in the Wider Destination of Pegnitz
Pegnitz offers additional cultural and landscape highlights. The Historic Town Hall was built around 1347 and stands in the middle of the city’s long, linear market square. The 544-metre-high Schloßberg is a landmark of Pegnitz. Its tower can be reached by climbing more than 97 steps and offers panoramic views of the city and surrounding area.
There are also specific points of reference for a walk around Pegnitz: it begins and ends at the Old Town Hall at HauptstraĂźe 45, and the stated distances are approximately 3.5 and 5.7 kilometres. The two approximate distances can be compared directly when choosing how long to walk.
Visitors interested in the landscape will find other distinctive local features in Pegnitz. The Pegnitz rises behind the former Zaußen Mill at a typical karst spring. At the “Karstwunder” on Wasserberg, the mill stream loses some of its water on the northern slope through limestone fissures and a ponor cave. The town hall, Schloßberg and karst spring each offer a different highlight: local history, views and geology.
For the wider travel overview: Pegnitz.
