Schönthal can be planned around two different themes: as a section of the Schwarzachtal Cycle Route, or with a focus on hiking trails and local history.

Cycling the Schwarzachtal Cycle Route

The 132.1-kilometre Schwarzachtal Cycle Route runs through, among other places, Schwarzenfeld, Schwarzach bei Nabburg, Neunburg vorm Wald, Rötz, Schönthal, Waldmünchen and the Höll border crossing, ending at Kritzenast. This distance refers to the entire route. One section passes quiet oxbow lakes on its way to Schönthal in the direction of Thuraumühle. Check current route conditions before setting off.

Hiking trails and their stops

The Sc03 (Hussenbierl Trail) runs along the northern slope of Kühberg into the Schwarzachtal near Thuraumühle. Stops include Kleinschönthal, the Schwarzachtal and Döfering; the trail leads to the Hussenbierl Chapel and returns to Schönthal Town Hall Square via Döfering and Kleinschönthal. For one section, the Sc03 follows the Goldsteig hiking trail as far as Hussenbierlstraße. From the Hussenbierl Chapel, the view extends to the Schwarzwihr. The return route also passes the church and monastery in Schönthal.

The Sc02 (Forest Chapel Trail) leads from Döfering via the Goldsteig above Mühlbierl to Rhan. These destinations provide a guide when choosing between the trails: the Sc03 route includes the Hussenbierl Chapel and the return to Schönthal Town Hall Square, while Rhan is the endpoint of the Sc02. Route information may change; check the current trail route before setting off.

Hussite Memorial and Monastery Complex

The Hussite memorial in Hiltersried was erected in 1933 to commemorate the Hussites’ defeat there in 1433. Another historical landmark is Schönthal Augustinian Monastery: despite years of threat and devastation by the Hussites, as well as the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, it developed into the economic, intellectual and ecclesiastical centre of the upper Schwarzachtal.

The former Augustinian Hermit monastery comprises the former monastery church, now the Catholic parish church of St Michael, and the monastery building. The latter was built in 1695 to plans by Wolfgang Dientzenhofer. It is a two-storey, four-wing building with hipped roofs, an entrance drive and stucco detailing. Schönthal and Hiltersried thus focus on two different historical themes: the development of the monastery and the commemoration of the Hussite battle.

More themes in the wider Cham destination

The wider Cham destination offers other distinct cultural and nature-related themes. In Furth im Wald, a town in the district of Cham, the Drachenhöhle offers a tour with information about the town’s dragon story, the festival and the technology behind the dragon robot. The summer festival is part of the Drachenstich tradition. Check the latest visitor information before your visit.

In Rötz, a town in the district of Cham, the Schwarzwihrberg nature forest reserve is part of the “Schwarzwihrberg bei Rötz” FFH site. In Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut, a municipality in the district of Cham, the pilgrimage museum is housed in the former administrative castle and contains treasures from the archive of the pilgrimage church. These destinations belong to the wider Cham destination and should be distinguished from the local Schönthal context.

Discover more destinations: Loitendorf, Schorndorf, Michelsneukirchen, Waffenbrunn, Lam, Zandt, Cham, Tiefenbach.

Back to the wider travel overview: Cham.