Goldsteig Südroute

Shortly after Kulz and just after the Prackendorfer Moos, the hiker comes to the fork in the Goldsteig. At a crossroads in the middle of the forest, the trail splits into the northern and southern routes. The more southerly route is by no means the easier one — on the contrary: while the rear tour keeps winding steadily, slowly but surely, uphill, the route through the southern foreland is characterized by many ascents and descents, but also has many advantages and, above all, magnificent long-distance views. Via Dautersdorf, the path continues at an easy pace but through extremely attractive scenery to the Schönbuchen Pilgrimage Chapel and from there — downhill on beautiful forest paths and trails — to Kröblitz. Without any significant effort, the Goldsteig then leads the hiker on to a signpost that tempts you to make a short detour to the legendary Druidenstein. Back on the trail, it is not long before the Palatinate Count Residence of Neunburg vorm Wald with its beautiful, historic old town center is reached.

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Ascent

129 m

Descent

240 m

Highest point

604 m

Lowest point

381 m

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors · ODbL

Via the former railway line and a small bridge, which once again affords a beautiful view back to the church of Neunburg vorm Wald, the hiker leaves this stage. A rolling landscape of forest and meadows continues on to Fuchsenhof, Neuhartelshof and Poggersdorf, where a rest stop is a good idea. Then, along a beautiful forest path, the Goldsteig leads the hiker all the way to Haselhof - and thus into the endlessly vast area of the Bodenwöhr Forest. This is followed by a lovely stretch of natural educational trail, equipped with information boards. On slightly marshy ground, the route continues along Warbrucker Pond to the northern edge of Blechhammer. Following the signpost, a detour to Bodenwöhr is also possible here. Passing Birkhof, meadow and field paths then lead toward Mappach, today's destination.

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Ascent

218 m

Descent

202 m

Highest point

524 m

Lowest point

372 m

The Mappach Farm lies directly on the Goldsteig. Today, the trail first leads through a larger wooded area, the Einsiedel Forest, up to Magdalene Chapel. There, the nature park administration has set up a nature trail, which hikers follow to the idyllic Waldhaus Einsiedel inn. This is a good place to rest. After the break, the route continues gently downhill to the Regen Valley with the monastic village of Reichenbach. The monastery complex here is one of the region’s most important architectural monuments. Inside the mighty Romanesque basilica, special attention should be paid to the delicate, rich Baroque decoration. Particularly worth seeing: frescoes and altar paintings. Finally, the route continues on to today’s stage destination, Walderbach, about 2 km off the Goldsteig.

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Ascent

117 m

Descent

171 m

Highest point

494 m

Lowest point

349 m

Via Reichenbach, the route heads back onto the Goldsteig. Below the monastery, the hiker follows a beautiful trail ever deeper into the forest. The dreamlike summit of Pfaffenstein - a striking rock formation - is the first destination: a bench here invites you to take a break. Krottenthal, remains of an old quarry, and the worth-seeing ruins of Lobenstein Castle are the next stops. It is worth climbing the tower - the view over the landscape is magnificent! Via Zell, Woppmansberg and Mantelberg, the route continues to Birkenau, where another short detour is worthwhile - to Heiligenkammer, a rock bastion and natural monument. Next highlight: the striking Church of Marienstein, from which Falkenstein Castle can be seen beautifully. Then the route continues over Lauberberg to today's stage destination, Falkenstein. One should take time for the enchanting, mystical surroundings of Lauberberg: scattered boulders, unusually shaped granite and rock blocks, and pre-Christian places of worship create a magical atmosphere.

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Ascent

751 m

Descent

511 m

Highest point

592 m

Lowest point

352 m

The stage begins at the pavilion between the hiking parking lot and Falkenstein. First, a leisurely stretch of trail leads to the Tannerl pilgrimage chapel in a tranquil forest clearing, then around Lake Postfelden—and then the highlight of today’s tour begins: the Hölle Nature Reserve. After passing the rustic, carved signpost reading “zur Hölle,” the trail follows an approximately 4-kilometer-long, unspoiled route along the Höllbach stream through an extraordinary natural landscape. Shortly before the Fahnmühle, the Goldsteig leaves the Höllbach Valley to begin the ascent to the Leiblberg immediately afterward. In Aumbach, there’s time for a well-deserved break at a traditional tavern. The trail then winds through vast forests and a beautiful meadow landscape, going up and down, through the Perlbach Valley to the Gasthaus am See, past the Hubmühle to the Schiederhof, a possible place to stay for the night. An alternative is the “Naturlaubsort” Wiesenfelden, located 4 km away.

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Ascent

500 m

Descent

468 m

Highest point

654 m

Lowest point

468 m

The Wiesenfelden Nature Observation Boardwalk is the starting point for today’s stage, assuming you spent the night here. Passing through Utzenzell, Kragenroth, and Kleinneundling, the Goldsteig trail first takes hikers along beautiful paths through fields, forests, and meadows. Then the trail climbs uphill to Pilgramsberg: This first hill serves as the prelude to the mountain ascents, valley crossings, and rapidly accumulating elevation gain that lie ahead. In Pilgramsberg, hikers will find the St. Ursula pilgrimage church. From here, the view opens up onto the Danube Plain and, in very good weather, even extends as far as the Alps. The descent then leads down through numerous staircases and along a beautiful forest path into the Haunkenzell Valley, where today’s stage ends at the “Silbersterne” inn in Haunkenzell.

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Ascent

172 m

Descent

350 m

Highest point

683 m

Lowest point

417 m

After leaving Haunkenzell, idyllic forest paths and open meadow landscapes lead to Stubenhof, the eastern edge of Stallwang. Soon a sign points the way to the summit of Gallner: Please pace yourself well on this section, as the ascent takes a little while! After about two-thirds of the route, there is a farm with its associated church. A stretch of path still remains to the summit cross, but the effort is worthwhile: from the summit of Gallner, a panoramic view opens up far into the Danube plain and deep into the Bavarian Forest. Meadow paths then lead to the edge of Forsting and on to Denkzell, the gold village: the village was awarded the gold medal twice, both in the state and national competition "Unser Dorf soll schöner werden". A village pond, old renovated farmhouses, hay barns and granaries bear witness to the beauty of the ensemble. Finally, forest and meadow paths lead the hiker to Konzell.

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Ascent

487 m

Descent

339 m

Highest point

707 m

Lowest point

347 m

The Goldsteig leaves Konzell through the valley floor. Zierling and Sicklasberg are stops on the way to the first rest stop, Kreuzhaus. On this varied and scenic route through mixed forests, you can enjoy, among other things, the wonderful view into the Cham-Furth depression. From Kreuzhaus (887 m), the easy route continues past the "Hansl Hüttn" via Riedelswald, Vornwald and Redlmühl to Käsplatte (979 m). A beautiful forest path first takes the hiker to Kolmberg. The landscape becomes more and more like primeval forest the closer the Goldsteig gets to the summit. The summit of Käsplatte lies to the right, about five minutes off the route. After a short break, it continues to Hinterwies at the foot of the Pröller, and from there along the edge of the forest up to the mountain lift hut and the summit. Another break with a magnificent view at the summit cross of the Pröller, then the descent to Sankt Englmar, today's destination, begins.

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Ascent

875 m

Descent

528 m

Highest point

1048 m

Lowest point

471 m

Today’s Goldsteig tour leads over the ridge of the Vorwaldzug. Passing the ski lift at Markbuchen, the trail runs to the summit of Predigtstuhl on an almost alpine meadow path over the ski slope. After a short breather at the rock formation, it continues on narrow paths to the next stop—the so-called Kuddernhütte, a weather shelter that can serve as refuge in rain. Here begins the next ascent to the summit of Knogl, marked by a summit cross beside a small wooden hut. Via the "Pfarrerwoidl" with a rest bench, the tour continues to the large clearing of Ödwies. The old forester’s house on this beautiful Schachten meadow was still occupied until the middle of the 20th century. Meter by meter in elevation, the hiker then follows a forest road to the masonry observation tower on Hirschenstein. From the tower, on the left one can see the Goldsteig route as far as Rauher Kulm; to the east rise Lusen, Rachel, Falkenstein, and Arber, and straight ahead the view stretches far into the landscape of the Gäuboden. The destination of today’s stage is the mountain inn Menauer at Grandsberg, somewhat off the Goldsteig and about 4 km away. The enchanting Mühlgrabenweg there and the breathtaking long-distance views from the inn make this stage stop special.

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Ascent

211 m

Descent

37 m

Highest point

1089 m

Lowest point

897 m

After the hiker has returned to the main trail (the innkeeper will tell you the shortest way!), he hikes - through the forest, past imposing rocks - to the summit of Rauher Kulm (1050 m). It then goes downhill first to Kalteck and then uphill again to the so-called "Regensburger Stein". The "Vogelsang", which the hiker passes, is a landscape composition of exceptional scale. At the "Regensburger Stein" it then goes downhill again to Bergern or, as an extension, to Mühlen. Via Grub, the Goldsteig finally leads to Wühnried, the start of the next ascent. At the small chapel in Wühnried there is the possibility of a short break at the local inn - however, the trail branches off to the left before that. The ascent that follows belongs to Einödriegel, whose summit, however, is not on the Goldsteig route. Rather, the trail takes the hiker to today's stage destination, the hut of the Bavarian Forest Association, the Landshut House.

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Ascent

750 m

Descent

805 m

Highest point

1085 m

Lowest point

567 m

Another ascent would lead to the Breitenauriegel; the alternative route taken by the Goldsteig leads along the boardwalk through the moor, an interesting and diverse biotope. Further along the route—which follows natural forest trails—hikers will encounter the legendary “Hölzerne Hand” at a major fork in the trail, complete with a rest area, followed by a golf course. From the parking lot next door, there’s a magnificent view to the south. The rest of the forest trail is also extremely charming and takes hikers to the Lallinger Winkel, more specifically to the village of Datting. Here, time seems to stand still: old farmhouses and rural village life, the kind you hardly find anywhere else anymore. And in the next village, Gerholling, another gem of traditional farmhouse architecture awaits. The Goldsteig then leads hikers almost exclusively downhill to Lalling: they have arrived in the Lallinger Winkel, the “fruit basket” of Eastern Bavaria.

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Ascent

54 m

Descent

646 m

Highest point

1025 m

Lowest point

384 m

The hiker leaves Lalling heading toward Panhölling, where an immediate highlight awaits: the orchard nature trail. At the end of the nature trail, the route leads into the forest, where the first steep stage of the ascent to Brotjacklriegel soon awaits. Padling and the "gold rush village" of Hunding lie along the way. Hunding was once settled in order to mine ores here - an information board next to the mine entrance explains this. From here to Langfurth, a strenuous stretch lies ahead - pace yourself well! After a stop in Langfurth, the hiker then tackles the final section of the ascent to the summit of Brotjacklriegel - whose name was probably derived from the local "broada Jagariegel," meaning broad hunter's ridge - . Brotjacklriegel - with a transmitter facility of Bayerischer Rundfunk, an observation tower and rest areas - is another highlight: magnificent forest paths, beautiful views, open meadows, wood carvings and dreamlike scenery accompany the hiker. On the descent via the so-called Steilweg on the eastern mountainside, you first pass the mountain village of Daxstein; past Fradlberg and Lina, the hiker finally reaches Zenting and thus the last village in the Sonnenwald.

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Ascent

792 m

Descent

785 m

Highest point

1011 m

Lowest point

419 m

The path down to the Ilz, the Black Pearl of the Bavarian Forest. In the midst of pure nature, the hiker passes the farmstead of Manzenreuth, the small chapel of Eizersdorf, the Ginghartinger Mill and finally Thurmansbang. The route then continues through the forest to Saldenburg Lake, the ideal place to rest: anyone who has swimwear with them should take the opportunity to cool off for a moment. After another stretch uphill, the Goldsteig approaches the Ilz Valley via Preying on pleasant forest and meadow paths. On the Ilz Valley Bridge, there is the option of a special detour: anyone who feels like it and has enough energy should not miss the extraordinary natural spectacle of the Dießensteiner Leite. In the Ilz Valley, the path continues toward Schneidermühle, where there is another place to rest. Then it goes all the way to Schrottenbaummühle - today's stage destination - always along the wildly romantic Ilz.

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Ascent

365 m

Descent

448 m

Highest point

569 m

Lowest point

354 m

The Schrottenbaummühle is a popular destination for day trippers—beautifully situated in the heart of the Ilz Valley. From here, hikers can make their way via Aumühle and Fürsteneck (with a short detour to the Wolfsteiner Ohe, which flows into the Ilz here) to Kalteneck—(almost) always right along the Ilz. Just before Kalteneck, the forest opens up—a meadow path leads into the village—only to rejoin the hiker’s route to Fischhaus shortly thereafter. Here, just outside the village, there is a designated swimming area, and a pizzeria can be found at the railroad crossing. From Fischhaus, you can hike to the stage destination via two routes: One leads past the old open quarry with information boards and the climbing garden; the other follows the “Ge(h)schichtenweg” trail from Fischhaus to Ruderting. This stage destination is located about 2 km off the Goldsteig trail. Caution: It’s easy to miss the turnoff at Fischhaus!

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Ascent

77 m

Descent

115 m

Highest point

362 m

Lowest point

319 m

The final stage of the Goldsteig trail begins in Ruderting and leads to Passau. Following unspoiled forest trails, the route winds over small hills and through stream gorges, across footbridges and along root-covered forest paths, following the former Ilztalbahn railroad route (to be reactivated) down to the Ilz Reservoir. For more information, visit: www.tiefenbach-live.de and www.gemeinde-tiefenbach.de. You can rent a Zille boat there. From the Mausmühle, the nature trail leads down to the Oberilzmühle dam with a swimming area. The next rest stop is the “Zur Triftsperre” inn and guesthouse. The dam piers and the dark log-driving tunnel, which hikers pass through shortly after, bear witness to the dangerous history of log driving. An impressive footbridge zigzags its way to the tunnel. By passing through the tunnel, the Goldsteig takes a shortcut around the Ilz loop and leads along the bend of the Ilz to Hals. Just before Hals, the ruins of Hals Castle sit perched on a mountain. After climbing one final hill, hikers finally reach Veste Oberhaus, a magnificent viewpoint overlooking Passau. The Goldsteig loop comes full circle at this castle’s north gate: this is where the northern and southern routes of the Goldsteig converge.

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Ascent

259 m

Descent

287 m

Highest point

426 m

Lowest point

291 m