Oberhaid: Nature, Cellars and Milling Culture

Discover nature and plants

The Seelaub nature reserve in Oberhaid is notable for its unspoilt character. Those with a particular interest in nature will also find a diverse range of plants at the Oberhaid district teaching garden, which covers 1,200 m². It features medicinal plants, historic crop and dye plants, bee-friendly flowering plants, an orchard meadow and wild shrubs. The collection thus ranges from plants with traditional uses to blossoms that benefit bees. For holiday planning, the garden offers a different nature experience from the nature reserve: the focus here is on different plant groups and their diversity.

Another nature-related attraction is in Unterhaid. During the cold season, one of the rock cellars serves as a winter roost for endangered bat species. This offers a special insight into the importance of the cellar complex for wildlife, too. The four-kilometre bat trail starts at the cellar lane; seven stops share interesting facts about native bats. If you are interested in these animals, you can make the trail a discovery in its own right, focusing on the information provided at each stop.

Explore on foot or by bike

On the northern edge of Oberhaid, the Nordic walking course offers three levels of difficulty. It provides an option for anyone looking to add Nordic walking to their trip. The different levels are a useful guide when planning; no specific route lengths are given for the course.

For a longer cycling tour, the easy Rennweg EXTRA Tour 1 is an option. It is 30.8 kilometres long and runs from Oberhaid via Schönbrunn and Gleisenau Castle through the Main floodplains and back to Oberhaid. The tour links several named stops with a stretch through the Main floodplains. Its length and difficulty rating make it easy to consider as a cycling activity in its own right, distinct from the shorter nature outings nearby.

Cellars, a mill and local culture

The historic cellar complex in Unterhaid dates back to the 18th century and comprises 29 privately owned individual cellars and one summer cellar. From May to September, groups can learn about nocturnal animals and other inhabitants of the former beer cellar, as well as the geological layers of the hill. This gives groups interested in both wildlife and the structure of the hill two different topics to explore during a visit.

The Old Mill, dating from 1670, underwent extensive renovation starting in 2017. Together with the open mill stream, a small café and the redesigned village square, it offers places to relax. Oberhaid’s sights also include St. Bartholomew’s Parish Church, the destination of the annual Oberhaid pilgrimage, and the Mater Dolorosa cemetery chapel. In Staffelbach, the listed Roman Catholic branch church of St. Cyriacus features a Gothic choir tower dating from the 14th century.

Franconian flavours

During the summer months, weather permitting, you can enjoy beer and Franconian snacks at the cellar complex in Unterhaid. This seasonal treat depends on specific conditions. The Oberhaid municipal area is also home to the Staffelbacher Spitzelberg and Unterhaider Röthla wine-growing sites, where typical Franconian dishes and snacks are available. If you would like to include local food culture in your travel plans, this offers another focus alongside nature and culture.

When choosing a holiday apartment in Oberhaid, your travel interests can guide your decision: a stay focused on nature and plants offers different experiences from one centred more on cellar culture, churches or cycling. Consider which of these discoveries matters most to you, and choose Oberhaid as your holiday destination to suit that focus.

Discover more places

Also discover Buttenheim, Ebrach: Ebrach, Hirschaid: Hirschaid, Breitengüßbach: Breitengüßbach, Lisberg: Lisberg, Burgebrach: Burgebrach, Strullendorf: Strullendorf and Zapfendorf: Zapfendorf.

Back to the regional travel overview: Bamberg.