Discover Michelau i.Steigerwald: Trails, Forests and Vineyards

Vineyards, forests and protected nature

The landscape of the municipality of Michelau im Steigerwald is shaped by vineyards and forests. Near Prüßberg, the Spitalgrund and Oberes Volkachtal nature reserve lies within the municipality. It was designated a protected area in 1985, follows the upper course of the Volkach and includes meadows, riverside forests and ravine forests along the streams. Open areas and various forest habitats are therefore part of the municipality's landscape.

Hiking trails with their own character

The “Dreiorama – Schweinfurter Wanderlust” circular hiking trail starts in Michelau and is considered an insider tip in the Steigerwald vineyard panorama and the Schweinfurt region. The 1.8-kilometre “Experience the Forest – With All Your Senses” themed trail offers a different focus: it invites nature lovers of all ages to explore and discover. The themed trail's name and invitation put experiencing nature at the centre, while the circular hiking trail's name also reflects the region's landscapes.

By bike or on the archery course

The “Around the Zabelstein” cycling tour starts in Altmannsdorf, a village in Michelau. It crosses the 489-metre-high Zabelstein, passes through beech forests and vineyards, and offers far-reaching views. It is another way to discover the landscape by bike. The circular hiking trail mentioned above starts in Michelau; Altmannsdorf is the starting point for the cycling tour.

The Steigerwald archery course is located in Neuhof. Its “Forest” course has 21 stations, while the “Meadow” course has a further seven. If you are planning a visit, check the current access conditions in advance. The two courses differ in their names and number of stations; together with the hiking and cycling trails, they offer a range of activities to consider when planning your trip.

An architectural highlight in Michelau

The Church of St. Michael and St. George is also part of Michelau's townscape. It is a work by master builder Balthasar Neumann. This specific connection to architecture complements the town's nature and activity themes. When choosing a holiday apartment, you can start by considering which interests you want to shape your stay: the hiking trails, the Zabelstein cycling tour, the archery course or the church.

More to discover in the Schweinfurt destination

The wider Schweinfurt destination offers additional nature and cultural experiences. The former Brönnhof military training area was included in the National Natural Heritage on 13 January 2016 and covers 746 hectares. It provides a habitat for protected species such as Bechstein's bat and the great crested newt. Another natural highlight is Ellertshäuser See in the north of Schweinfurt district, which is used as a local recreation area.

For those interested in culture, the Franconian Wayside Shrine Centre in Egenhausen presents a modern permanent exhibition on the cultural history of wayside shrines across around 90 square metres. These regional examples offer a different focus from the trails, forests and vineyards in Michelau. When planning, you can decide whether to focus mainly on the attractions and sights in Michelau or on a broader mix across the Schweinfurt destination.

Discover more destinations: Geldersheim, Poppenhausen, Dittelbrunn, Waigolshausen, Sennfeld, Röthlein, Oberschwarzach, Gochsheim.

Go to the overview of the wider destination: Schweinfurt.