Eggolsheim lies in the Regnitz Valley on the western edge of Franconian Switzerland. St. Martin’s Parish Church, the Shepherd’s Gate and two walking routes of different lengths offer distinctive points of interest for your stay. The following buildings and routes highlight different aspects of the area.

Buildings and Local History

St. Martin’s Parish Church was built to plans by Baroque architect Leo von Kleinze (1784–1864). Its much older church tower is visible from afar as a landmark of the market town of Eggolsheim. The church and tower thus bring together two distinct architectural periods. The Chapel of the Holy Trinity is also located on Bammersdorfer Straße; the old town hall is another of Eggolsheim’s attractions.

The Shepherd’s Gate, also known as the Forchheim Gate, was rebuilt as a gatehouse after the fire of 1684. Its name and construction history give this historic building a specific connection to the town’s past. The restored Shepherd’s Gate is also one of Eggolsheim’s attractions.

The community center offers a different architectural accent: traditional Franconian construction, including a former brewery and inn, is combined with functional contemporary architecture. The former dance hall is also part of the complex. Eggolsheim thus brings together buildings with different historical connections—from the church and gatehouse to a complex that combines earlier uses with contemporary architecture.

Two Routes with Different Walking Times

Route 1 leads from Eggolsheim via Schirnaidel, Schießberg and the Lias Pit, then back to Eggolsheim. It is about 8.5 kilometers long and takes approximately three hours of walking. Route 2 starts at Eggolsheim Town Hall, leads to Lock 94 and Neuses a. d. Regnitz, and returns to the starting point. This route is approximately 8 kilometers long and is estimated to take about two hours of walking.

The distances are similar, but the estimated walking times differ by about one hour. So distance alone is not the only useful comparison when planning: Route 1 takes longer to walk, while Route 2 is estimated to be shorter. The destinations mentioned also differ. The Lias Pit is part of the first route; Lock 94 and Neuses a. d. Regnitz are on the described second route.

Lias Pit and the Landscape

The outdoor grounds of the Lias Pit Environmental Education Center near Eggolsheim cover 17 hectares. The site is a restored former clay pit, whose characteristics make sustainable environmental education possible. The environmental education center offers nature walks and excursions for children and adults. In addition to the walking routes, nature-focused activities are another option to explore.

Lock 94 and Cycling Routes

Lock 94 is located within the market town of Eggolsheim. It is the only accessible lock among the 100 former locks on the old Ludwig–Danube–Main Canal, which ran from Kelheim on the Danube to Bamberg on the Main. The lock is considered very well preserved; its remains are now an industrial monument of European significance from the first half of the 19th century. On Route 2, a walk thus connects with an important piece of canal history.

Cycling routes are also part of getting around the Regnitz Valley: the canal and valley route of the RegnitzRadWeg runs through the area. It connects to national and international cycling routes. Whether you want to focus your time on the buildings, one of the described walks or the cycling route, these different themes can help you plan your stay in Eggolsheim around your interests.

Discover more destinations: Obertrubach, Dormitz, Weißenohe, Gosberg, Langensendelbach, Poxdorf, Pinzberg, Forchheim.

Back to the higher-level travel overview: Forchheim.