On the weekend of June 22 and 23, 2024, the diversity of the Steinwald Nature Park was experienced through nine different guided tours in perfect summer weather. At the sixth edition of "24 Hours of Steinwald Experience," the Steinwald Alliance, in collaboration with numerous volunteers, presented a colorful supporting program – from a geological bike tour to a fairytale hike.
It's no secret that the Steinwald Nature Park boasts a high density of diverse flora and fauna within a relatively small area. However, many of these natural beauties are known only to experts. As part of the "24 Hours of Steinwald Experience" program, various associations and tour guides showcased many of these highlights to visitors.
Mystical hike in and around the nature adventure village Friedenfels
The legend hike in and around Friedenfels was particularly well received. With 45 visitors, this event attracted the most participants. Half an hour before the tour began, there was already a flurry of activity in front of the Steinwaldhalle in Friedenfels until the mystical hike began. Katrin Meyer and Benedikt Lippert from the Steinwaldia Pullenreuth society read various legends from the book "Sagenschatz des Steinwalds" (Saga Treasures of the Steinwald) at the original locations, captivating the participants with their stories.
Geological hikes, rocks, moors and a photography workshop
Dr. Andreas Peterek, Managing Director of the Bavaria-Bohemia GEOPARK, demonstrated the geological features of the Steinwald cycle path to a group of cyclists. More geology was discovered with Geopark rangers Angela Scharnagl and Michaela Griener. During a walk, Griener demonstrated the Föhrenbühl nature reserve near Grötschenreuth in all its facets. Scharnagl offered a hike through meadows and forests, starting at St. Peter's Church in Wäldern. The hike continued to the Teufelsstein (Devil's Stone), along the Grenzbach stream, and to the freshwater pearl mussel information center. Nature park ranger Cornelia Greiner also led a tour of the new freshwater pearl mussel information center at the Grenzmühle mill on Sunday afternoon. Another highlight was the photography workshop with amateur photographer Martin Schmid. Under the motto "Focus on Little Flowers," the participants first learned the basics of atmospheric plant images before putting their newly acquired skills into practice at the glass grinder in a flower meadow. The tour began early on Sunday morning. At 3:30 a.m., Michael Schneider invited everyone to an "Early Bird Hike" to the Oberpfalz Tower. The early risers were rewarded with a breathtaking sunrise. The Geocenter at the KTB in Windischeschenbach offered a guided tour of the center, including a visit to the drilling rig.District forester Wolfgang Schödel led interested groups on a cross-country hike from the Waldhaus through the Steinwald forest – to a renaturalized wetland and the hills of hidden, otherwise inaccessible rocks.
Successful event
Marina Zielbauer from the Steinwald Alliance looks back on the event series with great satisfaction. "Our expectations were more than met with over 150 visitors. We had ordered sunshine for the weekend, and we got it, so we were able to welcome many last-minute visitors to the various activities." The two most popular tours were the Legends Hike and the guided tour "The Rough Steinwald": "We had more participants on these two tours than ever before," said the tourism expert.
Together with the tour guides and associations, the Steinwald Alliance spent a weekend focusing on the beautiful aspects of the Steinwald.
