The Steinwald Nature Park is located in northern Bavaria, more precisely in the Tirschenreuth district. It is the second-smallest nature park in Bavaria and lies between the Upper Palatinate Forest and Fichtel Mountains. Our region is also ideal for excursions to the neighboring Czech Republic. The Steinwald is characterized by mixed forests, numerous rock formations, basalt cones, natural rivers, ponds and lakes, as well as several castle complexes. You can find more information here.

The most popular destinations in the Steinwald region are the Weißenstein Castle ruins, the Oberpfalzturm (Upper Palatinate Tower), the Waldeck Castle Hill, and the Waldnaabtal Nature Reserve. Information about these and other highlights can be found in the top sights section.

The Steinwald tourist marketing area includes the towns and communities of Brand, Ebnath, Erbendorf, Falkenberg, Friedenfels, Fuchsmühl, Immenreuth, Kastl, Kemnath, Krummennaab, Kulmain, Neusorg, Pullenreuth, Reuth near Erbendorf, Waldershof, Windischeschenbach, and Wiesau. The Steinwald Nature Park also includes the Teichelberg basalt uplift in the municipality of Pechbrunn. Further information can be found here.

Our region offers a wide range of accommodation options – from farm holidays, various campsites and tent sites, hotels, holiday apartments, guesthouses, and inns. All accommodations can be found in the Accommodation section.

Die vielseitigen Restaurants, Biergärten und Bistros – von Zoiglstube bis zum traditionellen bayerischen Wirtshaus, der modernen Küche oder ausländische Kost – kannst du hier einsehen.

The Steinwald Forest is a true paradise for hikers and nature lovers! The most popular trails are the two long-distance hiking trails, the Goldsteig and the Franconian Mountain Trail. These can be explored in stages or combined with their access routes as day trips. You can find the most beautiful hiking trails in the "Themed and Circular Hiking Trails" section. We also offer a compilation of the most beautiful short tours in the "Walks" section.

Whether you're exploring volcanoes on the Vulkantour, exploring the diverse and challenging Steinwald cycle path, or exploring water-rich routes on the Vizinalbahn cycle path: find out everything about our cycle paths in the Cycling section.

Order free information material here to help you plan your next vacation or trip in our region.

More and more people are seeking relaxation in nature, and some of them want to use drones to capture landscape photos from a completely different perspective. For this reason, the Steinwald Nature Park feels obligated to draw attention to the regulations applicable within the nature park area. Regulations on the "Steinwald Nature Park" of November 5, 1987 (GVBl. p. 420) BayRS 791-5-6-U (§§ 1–13) - Citizen Service (gesetze-bayern.de) According to the Steinwald Nature Park Regulations of November 5, 1987, the operation of model aircraft and ultralight aircraft (including drones) in the nature park's protected area requires a permit from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority at the Tirschenreuth District Office. The protected area includes the nature park's landscape conservation areas and nature reserves. This means that the operation of drones in landscape conservation areas is only permitted with prior approval from the Lower Nature Conservation Authority, stating compelling reasons. To operate drones in the two Steinwald nature reserves, permission must be obtained from the Higher Nature Conservation Authority (Government of Upper Palatinate). Anyone who intentionally or negligently violates these regulations without a permit from the relevant nature conservation authority may be fined. The Steinwald protected area also includes the popular tourist destinations of the Oberpfalzturm (Upper Palatinate Tower), the Weißenstein Castle ruins, and almost the entire central Steinwald area outside of towns. The Steinwald Nature Park requests that the regulations be observed in order to minimize disturbance to nature and the flora and fauna and preserve their uniqueness. You can find information about Bavaria's landscape conservation areas here.