Ludwigsstadt: Castle, slate and hiking trails

Lauenstein Castle and notable buildings

The Thüna Building is the main part of Lauenstein Castle. Christoff von Thüna had it built between 1551 and 1554; it is considered a remarkable example of Central German Renaissance architecture. The main castle also houses a museum with more than 20 exhibition rooms, which can be visited as part of a guided tour. Opening hours vary by season.

Another building defines the town centre: the Trogenbach Viaduct is a 200-metre-long, 26-metre-high railway bridge spanning the centre of Ludwigsstadt. A traditional costume festival is held every year in Ebersdorf, a district of Ludwigsstadt. The area’s cultural character thus ranges from historic architecture to a recurring local tradition.

Slate landscapes and viewpoints

The Oertelsbruch is located right at the entrance to Ludwigsstadt. It is home to Lower Carboniferous roofing and flagstone slate, which Alexander von Humboldt described as early as his time. The Oertelsbruch is considered one of Bavaria’s most beautiful geological sites. At the “Vertraue Gott” slate quarry (Schallersbruch), a viewing platform offers a view into the open-pit mine, which is more than 40 metres deep.

Above Lauenstein, the Thüringer Warte stands on the summit of the 678-metre-high Ratzenberg. The observation tower is 26.5 metres tall and lies just under 200 metres from the Thuringia–Bavaria state border. Its opening hours vary by season; check the latest visitor information before your visit.

Trails through stories and geological history

The Lauenstein Fairy-Tale Trail focuses not on the well-known Grimm fairy tales, but on legends and stories about the forest’s trees, as well as regional tales from Lauenstein. This gives the trail a focus on storytelling. Forestry work can lead to partial closures, so please pay attention to current notices.

The Eisenberg Geotrail explores several geological eras and different types of slate. The hike is about 9 kilometres long. The Slate Trail offers a different kind of itinerary: the short circular route around Ludwigsstadt is estimated to take two to four hours. The Rennsteig also passes through the Ludwigsstadt area.

Another circular route is the FrankenwaldSteigla “Finf Hiehner un en Hoahn”: The 8.2-kilometre trail starts in Steinbach an der Haide and passes the 360° panorama at “Kiefernen Ficht”, Fischbachsmühle with the Burg Lauenstein confectionery, Steinbachsgrund, the Forellenhof and Steinbachsmühle before returning to the starting point. Suggested starting points are the entrance to Steinbach an der Haide or the Fischbachsmühle car park. Check local notices for any temporary conditions along the route.

The available route information offers different ways to plan your hike: the Geotrail is about 9 kilometres long, the FrankenwaldSteigla is 8.2 kilometres, and the short Slate Trail loop is estimated to take two to four hours. This makes it easier to choose by distance or time, without reducing the routes to the same focus.

Getting here and choosing the right base

The Franken-Thuringia Express stops in Ludwigsstadt every hour. The town centre is about a ten-minute walk from the station. Timetables may change, so check the current connections before travelling. When looking for a holiday apartment, your plans for the days of your trip may guide your choice: the castle and architectural history, slate and hiking trails, or travelling by train each offer a different focus.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Tettau, Marktrodach, Küps, Steinbach am Wald, Steinwiesen, Tschirn, Wallenfels and Stockheim in Upper Franconia.

Back to the main travel overview: Kronach.