In Weiherhammer, Beckenweiher links local and industrial history: originally, it provided the power for the former ironworks built next to it, now BHS Corrugated. This historical connection is closely tied to the town and offers a specific way to understand its development.
Local history and educational trail
The educational trail at Beckenweiher and along the Branderkanal covers local history, including the history of the ironworks, as well as nature topics such as the Haidenaab and beavers. It also explores natural history, including geology and water resources, as well as cultural history. This distinction is useful when choosing what to explore: Weiherhammer’s history can be traced at Beckenweiher through its former industrial use, while the educational trail broadens the perspective to include natural and cultural history.
The Catholic parish church of the Holy Family in Weiherhammer adds a distinct ecclesiastical history element: Bishop Buchberger consecrated it in 1933. It complements the industrial history with a precisely dated religious reference.
The Weiherhammer Bird Sanctuary lies east of Weiherhammer, in the surrounding area. It is an important habitat for waterbirds and a significant stopover during migration; its black-headed gull colony is one of the largest in northern Bavaria. Alongside the nature topics covered by the educational trail, it offers a specific focus on waterbirds and migration. The two areas have different emphases: the bird sanctuary is important as a habitat and stopover, while the trail combines nature topics with local, geological, and cultural history.
The wider picture: Neustadt an der Waldnaab
For broader trip planning, it is worth looking at the wider destination of Neustadt an der Waldnaab. The district is part of the Oberpfälzer Wald destination and offers activities including hiking, cycling, museum visits, and swimming in numerous bathing waters. One distinctive regional example is the Bockl: this 52 km route runs from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line and can be explored on foot, by bike, or on inline skates.
Most of the Bockl is paved and traffic-free; gradients along the route rarely exceed 3 percent. The 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 transfer directly to a bike. Check the timetable before setting out.
Geology and volcanism in Parkstein
Another regional highlight is Parkstein. In 2003, its basalt cone was included in the list of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes, and in 2006 it was awarded the designation “National Geotope.” The historic circular walk through Parkstein begins at Landrichterschloss, which houses the Vulkanerlebnis Parkstein Museum. The museum stages a volcanic eruption every hour, which visitors can experience across three levels. Check current times before your visit, as show times may change. Geopark rangers also offer guided tours of the basalt cliff; check availability in advance.
Discover more destinations: Etzenricht, Luhe-Wildenau, Pressath, Kohlberg, Schwarzenbach, Vorbach, Pleystein, Georgenberg
For the wider travel overview: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.
