Etzelwang: Schmankerl Trail, Views and Outdoor Pool
Accommodation in Etzelwang
Etzelwang combines the hilly landscape of the Upper Palatinate with a hike that takes in regional specialities and scenic viewpoints. There is also plenty of space for sunbathing at the Etzelwang outdoor pool on both sides of the Etzelbach. This gives you a clear difference in the pace of your holiday when choosing a holiday apartment: should a marked hiking route shape your day, or would you rather sunbathe at the outdoor pool?
A hike with regional specialities and scenic views
The 2024 regional hiking brochure lists the Etzelwang Schmankerl Trail as 11.1 kilometres long, taking 3.25 hours and rated as moderately difficult. The route combines inns, regional specialities and beer with a well-marked trail through the hilly landscape of the Upper Palatinate. Culinary themes are thus as much a part of the route as the hike itself.
A detour leads to the viewpoint on Neutrasfelsen, an ancient place of worship. The Schmankerl Trail climbs steeply to Rupprechtstein Castle; from there, you can enjoy views of the Sulzbach Hills. On the way back to Etzelwang, there is a view of Neidstein Castle, set amid a yew forest. Several different sights are therefore part of the same route: an ancient place of worship, a castle with a viewpoint, and a view of a castle in its yew forest.
A long history of settlement
The history of the area also goes back a long way: archaeological finds show that the valleys and hills around present-day Etzelwang have been inhabited since the Stone Age. Its connection to both types of landscape gives the local history a broad geographical scope.
A broader look at Amberg-Sulzbach
The wider destination of Amberg-Sulzbach encompasses landscapes ranging from imposing limestone cliffs and gentle Jura hills to extensive forests and picturesque river valleys. The Amberg-Sulzbach region lies in Bavaria between Regensburg and Nuremberg. This regional context offers additional attractions for travellers who would like to include other nature and cultural experiences in their choice of destination alongside Etzelwang.
A shorter hiking option is the Felsenweg trail from Sackdilling: the 2.7-kilometre route takes about 45 minutes and passes through a rocky labyrinth to the Bauernlöcher caves and through an impressive rocky landscape. The time required is quite different from that of the Etzelwang Schmankerl Trail. If you choose your hiking days according to the time available, you can choose between a longer route and a short hike through a rocky landscape.
The cultural history of the Amberg-Sulzbach region is another theme in its own right. The East Bavarian Mining and Industry Museum at Kultur-Schloss Theuern researches and documents mining and industry in eastern Bavaria, keeping their history alive. The Erzweg is another regional mining attraction: it connects sites with a mining tradition dating back more than 1,000 years and passes through cultural and natural landscapes.
The Kirwan festivals of the Amberg-Sulzbach region are among its recurring cultural experiences. Since 2023, they have been part of Bavaria’s intangible cultural heritage; they are celebrated every year in their respective localities and are open to visitors and residents alike. If you specifically want to experience a Kirwa, it is advisable to check the dates for the relevant locality before planning your trip.
A regional speciality is the traditional Schlachtschüssel, regularly served by many inns in the Amberg-Sulzbach region. It includes Wurschtsuppn, Kesselfleisch, and blood sausages, liver sausages and bratwurst made according to the inns’ own recipes. Dates vary from one inn to another. Cultural events and regional cuisine can therefore offer different focal points for planning your trip.
Nature watching and outdoor activities are also part of the region’s appeal. The Theuern nature observation platform was built on the edge of the settling ponds at the wastewater treatment plant. The adjacent wetland, with the Vils, its old river channels and ponds, is a year-round resting and breeding site for local birds and birds arriving from the north. At Wolfertsfeld, you can try traditional archery on the Bow Vision 3D course, a circular route of around 3 kilometres through the farm woodland typical of the Upper Palatinate Jura.
Discover more destinations
Discover more destinations: Neukirchen bei Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Schnaittenbach, Edelsfeld, Ammerthal, Auerbach in der Oberpfalz, Kümmersbruck, Schmidmühlen, Birgland
Back to the regional travel overview: Amberg-Sulzbach.
