Kirchenthumbach combines religious art with a striking viewpoint and several cycling routes. These different highlights offer clear guidance when planning a stay: from the Stations of the Cross in the parish church of the Assumption of Mary and the steep climb to Calvary Hill to several cycling routes; the NEW-26 cycling circuit starts and ends in Kirchenthumbach.
Religious Art in Kirchenthumbach and Thurndorf
Bishop Dr. Rudolf Graber consecrated the parish church of the Assumption of Mary on May 26, 1974. A particular highlight is the Stations of the Cross, created by Egino GĂĽnter Weinert and installed in the church in 1977. Its 15 stations depict colorful scenes fired in enamel and surrounded by bronze frames. The 15th station depicts the Resurrection.
There is also a historic work of art at the church square: A Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary from 1719 stands on the west façade of the parish church and is also known as the “Frauenbild” (Image of Our Lady). It was restored in 1984. Thurndorf is also within the municipality. The tower of its St. James’s Church houses the Theophilus Bell, one of the oldest church bells in Bavaria.
Climb and Views at Calvary Hill
The NEW-26 circuit climbs steeply to the 642-meter-high Calvary Hill, the highest point of the Kütschenrain. From there, the view extends south and west over Thurndorf. A 25-meter-high observation tower was built near Calvary Hill in 2014/15. It offers panoramic views as far as the peaks of the Upper Palatinate Jura, Franconian Switzerland, the Fichtel Mountains and the Upper Palatinate Forest. If you include this route in your day’s plans, bear in mind that the steep climb is part of the experience.
Cycling Routes with Different Points of Interest
The NEW-26 cycling circuit starts in Kirchenthumbach, passes through Burggrub, Wölkersdorf, Thurndorf, Neuzirkendorf, Höflas and Görglas, and returns to Kirchenthumbach. It runs mainly on paved roads, including several kilometers on state highways. The route also includes quiet side roads, a stretch through the forest and a short cycle path alongside a road. This mix of roads and trails is a practical consideration when choosing your route.
Another point of interest for cyclists is the GEO cycling route “Weg des Lebens” (Path of Life), which passes the Heberbräu brewery in Kirchenthumbach, a listed attraction along the route.
More Destinations in the Wider Neustadt An Der Waldnaab Travel Region
The Bockl is a 52-kilometer route from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. It can be explored on foot, by bike or on inline skates; it is mostly paved and traffic-free, with gradients rarely exceeding three percent. Its terrain differs considerably from the steep climb to Calvary Hill. The Bockl’s 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, where you can transfer directly to a bike. Check the timetable before setting off.
Speinshart Abbey Church is another cultural highlight. It is one of the most significant Baroque buildings in southern Germany and is distinguished by its Italian High Baroque furnishings. Together, the abbey and the preserved historic village of Speinshart are a cultural heritage site of European significance. A public guided tour of the abbey church takes place every Sunday and public holiday at 3 p.m. As tour times may change, check the official abbey website before your trip.
Discover more travel destinations: Weiden In Der Oberpfalz, FlossenbĂĽrg, Luhe-Wildenau, Waldthurn, Vorbach, Waidhaus, Pressath, Schirmitz.
Go to the wider travel guide: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.
