Rimbach: Castle Ruins, Forest Trails and Architectural History

Rimbach lies at the foot of the Hohenbogen and is surrounded by meadows and forests. Between hiking trails, the ruins of Lichtenegg Castle and traces of regional architectural and church history, you’ll find different ways to spend your time outdoors or exploring the town’s past. When choosing a holiday apartment, it helps to first consider whether hiking, culture or cycling routes will shape your itinerary.

Castle Ruins and Trails Through the Landscape

The ruins of Lichtenegg Castle lie at an elevation of 707 metres in dense mixed woodland. One special feature is the round tower, which visitors can walk around. The annual Lichtenegg Castle Festival takes place in the castle courtyard. If this is important to your travel plans, check the dates for your travel period.

The “Weg der Sinne” circular hiking trail starts at the multi-generational park at the entrance to Rimbach and ends on the grounds of the former outdoor swimming pool. Along the way, it passes over meadows and forest trails and alongside stone walls, hedges and trees. The circular route thus brings together a variety of landscape features rather than sticking to a single type of trail.

Another hiking option is the Ri1, the Hohenbogen Trail: it runs from Rimbach via Hinterlichteneck to the Hohenbogen castle site, is 12.7 kilometres long and takes about four hours. Rimbach also has a feeder trail recognised by the tourism association, connecting to the Goldsteig’s main route. The Ri1’s length and approximate duration can help with planning your hike; the feeder trail connects to the Goldsteig’s main route.

Churches and Regional Architectural History

A church in Rimbach has been documented since 1438. The interior of the parish church of St Michael is late Baroque, with strong Rococo influences. The Chapel of Souls, built in 1735, stands next to the parish church. Each of these sites offers a concrete connection to Rimbach’s architectural and church history.

The Holmeier House also tells the story of local building traditions: it is one of the last surviving examples of the “Waldlerhaus” house type and recalls a style of construction that shaped Rimbach over the past three centuries. Visits to the Holmeier House can be arranged on request through the Tourist Information Office. If you’d like to include the house in your plans, contact the Tourist Information Office to arrange a visit.

Getting Here and Activities in the Wider Area

Depending on the season, bus routes 615 and 650 run from Furth im Wald or Bad Kötzting to Rimbach. Check the timetable for the seasonal services for your travel dates. In the wider region, on-demand bus route 913 runs to the Gipfelsteig trail and the mountain station on the Hohenbogen.

Two electric bicycles can be rented from the Rimbach Tourist Information Office at Hohenbogenstraße 10; you can reach the office by phone on 09941/940016. In the wider Rimbach holiday region and around the Hohenbogen, there are also two varied mountain bike routes featuring mountain crossings, fast descents and scenic views. This gives you a choice of different reference points when planning your outings: a hike with a stated distance and approximate duration, or cycling routes described as featuring mountain crossings, descents and scenic views.

Cham as a Broader Travel Destination

In the wider travel destination of Cham, Furth im Wald, a town in the district of Cham, also offers its own cultural and visitor attractions. The Dragon’s Cave features a tour with information about the town’s dragon story, the festival and the technology behind the dragon robot. Check the operator’s latest visitor information before your visit. The summer festival is part of the local Dragon Slayer tradition. These regional themes complement the focus on Rimbach’s castle ruins and architectural history without equating them with the attractions in Furth im Wald.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Gleißenberg, Rettenbach, Furth Im Wald, Bad Kötzting, Zandt, Wald, Michelsneukirchen, Miltach.

To the broader travel overview: Cham.