From the summit of the Kleiner Kulm, you can see across Neustadt am Kulm, towards the Rauher Kulm and the surrounding area. Geology, Geopark stops and churches each add a different dimension to a stay.
Basalt and Views in Neustadt am Kulm
The Rauher Kulm is 682.5 m high and is one of Bavaria’s most striking basalt mountains. The volcanic landscape has been protected as a natural monument since 1949 and is of great significance from geological, historical and nature conservation perspectives. Alongside the views, the landscape’s special significance is also a focal point.
The Kleiner Kulm is a stop on the “Volcanoes” GEO Tour, located in an old quarry. From the summit, you can see the town, the Rauher Kulm and the surrounding area. At the end of “Kleiner Kulm” road, a GEO Tour information board stands in front of the exposed rock face of an old quarry. The stops have different focuses: at the Kleiner Kulm, the GEO Tour and quarry take centre stage, while the Rauher Kulm is described as a protected volcanic landscape and basalt mountain.
The Geopark Hike and Its Stops
The Geopark Hike begins at the market square and first leads to the Kleiner Kulm. It continues along the “Rollbahn” and past an archaeological excavation site to the summit of the Kulm and up to the observation tower. The route therefore combines several specific themes: geology, an archaeological stop and views from the tower.
Other destinations on the Geopark Hike include the rock cellars at Sandberg, at the foot of the Rauher Kulm. The hike also passes the Margravial Church. Together with the stops at the quarry, these offer a range of experiences in which the landscape and culture are not limited to a single attraction.
Churches and a Snack with a View
The town church also offers a distinct historical connection: it was built in 1413 as the Carmelite monastery church. The Margravial Church is another stop along the Geopark Hike. If you are interested in churches and local history, you can include these themes in your plans alongside the volcanic landscape.
A snack with a lovely view is recommended at the Kulmterrasse at the foot of the Rauher Kulm. Before your visit, check whether the offer is available on your chosen date.
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In the wider destination of Neustadt an der Waldnaab
The district of Neustadt an der Waldnaab is part of the Upper Palatinate Forest destination. Regional activities include hiking, cycling, museum visits and swimming in numerous bathing waters. This broader perspective complements the local Geopark and church destinations with other topics across the wider destination.
One regional route option is the Bockl: the 52 km route runs from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line and can be travelled on foot, by bike or on inline skates. It is largely paved and traffic-free; gradients rarely exceed 3 percent. In terms of length and ways to travel it, this long route differs considerably from the named stops on the Geopark Hike in Neustadt am Kulm.
The Bockl starting point in Neustadt an der Waldnaab is directly accessible by train. Trains run every hour to the terminus of the Nuremberg–Neustadt an der Waldnaab line; from there, you can switch directly to a bike. Check the timetable before your journey.
See the wider travel overview: Eschenbach In Der Oberpfalz.
