Discover Wald: Rock formations, circular trails and cycling routes

At the Pfaffenstein natural monument, rocks are stacked on a forest clearing. The striking feature is the round “stone sphere” with its summit cross. Pfaffenstein provides a distinctive landmark for hikes; Wald also offers a range of route formats, from circular trails to longer tours. This means you can take your planned day’s activities into account when choosing your holiday apartment.

Rock formations, circular trails and parish history

The parish of Wald was first mentioned in 1135. The parish church of St. Laurentius is a starting point for the Monastery Tour and therefore also a useful landmark for hikes. Those wishing to explore routes to rock formations will also find four hiking trails described by Hildegard Auburger that lead to such formations.

The Wd02, the Pfaffensteiner circular trail, is 8.3 kilometres long. It leads from Wald town centre via Kolmberg, Wilder Mann, Wasserstein, the Pfaffenstein natural monument and Spannberg, then returns to the town centre. Another circular hike to Pfaffenstein starts at the hiking car park in Kolmberg, a district of the municipality of Wald. It is described as varied. The Steinewanderung – Kolmberg (Stones Hike – Kolmberg) leads from Wald via Kolmberg to Pfaffenstein and back to Wald via Kolmberg. The different starting points and routes give you several ways to include Pfaffenstein in a hike.

Comparing longer hikes

The valley and mountain hike begins at Wald Town Hall and follows hiking trails Nos. 146 and 154. It is 12.5 kilometres long, with an indicated duration of about four hours. The Monastery Tour starts at the parish church of St. Laurentius, follows hiking trails Nos. 153 and 47, and partly runs along the Goldsteig. It is 15.8 kilometres long and takes about five hours. According to the stated figures, it is 3.3 kilometres longer, and the estimated duration is about one hour greater. This comparison helps you plan a shorter or longer day of hiking without assuming a particular walking speed.

Outside Wald, the Monastery Tour passes the former Benedictine abbey of Reichenbach and the former Cistercian monastery of Walderbach, with its fruit-tree learning garden and district museum. In addition, hiking trails maintained by the Vorderer Bayerischer Wald Nature Park Association run from Wald to the Regental valley at Walderbach and Reichenbach. The well-maintained hiking trails in Wald are also suitable for Nordic walking; guided hikes are offered regularly. Check locally for current dates for guided tours.

Cycling routes and winter activities

A 5.75-kilometre cycling route connecting to the Regental Cycle Route branches off near the old railway bridge on Wutzeldorfer Straße. It passes the children’s playground, runs through the “Am hohen Stein” development and follows Nahenfürster Straße to Nahenfürst. In the vicinity of Wald, the former railway line from Falkenstein to Regensburg, which runs directly past Wald, has been converted into a walking and cycling path. Check local route conditions before setting out.

In winter, a cross-country ski trail is groomed along the former railway line; this depends on winter conditions and local operations. Ice stock sport is another possible seasonal activity: it can be played on almost all ponds in Wald when the ice is thick enough to bear weight safely. These conditions mean that winter activities depend on the situation at the time, so check locally before making plans.

Getting here and choosing a location

Listed bus connections include RVV route 34 from Regensburg towards Roding via Wald and Kellermeier route 221 from Roding towards Nittenau via Wald. Route 220, operated by Rodinger Verkehrsbetriebe, is listed as a connection from Roding to Wald; route 219, operated by the same company, is listed as running from Cham towards Roding via Wald. Check current connections and timetables before travelling.

When choosing a holiday apartment, you can consider your preferred activities alongside the starting points for the various tours: the longer hikes begin at the town hall or the parish church, while other trails start in Kolmberg or the town centre.

Discover more destinations

Lam, Walderbach, Furth Im Wald, Rettenbach, Weiding, Bad Kötzting, Schorndorf, Rimbach.

Go to the main travel overview: Cham.