Rimbach – Hiking Trails, Forest and Cultural Heritage
Accommodation in Rimbach
Rimbach combines a location at the foot of the Hohenbogen with meadows and forests, designated hiking trails and distinctive reminders of the town’s history. You can get to know the area from different perspectives as you plan your trip: on a circular hike, at Lichtenegg Castle Ruins or by visiting the churches and the Holmeierhaus. The accommodation that suits you depends on which of these themes you want to focus on during your stay.
Rimbach
Photo: Markus Lenk
Landscape and Hiking Trails
The “Weg der Sinne” (Path of the Senses) circular trail starts at the Mehrgenerationenpark (multi-generational park) at the entrance to Rimbach and ends on the grounds of the former outdoor swimming pool. Along the way, it passes over meadow and forest paths and runs alongside stone walls, hedges and trees. The name points to a trail where the landscape features described can be experienced directly as you walk.
A longer hiking option is the Ri1 circular trail, also known as the Hohenbogenweg. It leads from Rimbach via Hinterlichteneck to the Hohenbogen castle site. The 12.7-kilometre route is estimated to take about four hours. Its length and approximate duration give you a practical basis for planning the timing of this hike. Rimbach also has a connecting trail to the main Goldsteig route, recognized by the tourism association. In the wider Rimbach holiday region and around the Hohenbogen, there are also two mountain biking routes, described as featuring mountain crossings, fast descents and scenic views.
Lichtenegg Castle Ruins and Local History
Lichtenegg Castle Ruins lie in dense mixed forest at an elevation of 707 metres. One of its distinctive features is a circular tower that visitors can enter. The Lichtenegg Castle Festival is held annually in the ruins’ courtyard. This historic site thus combines a visible architectural landmark with a recurring event; check the specific festival dates separately for the year of your visit.
Rimbach’s church history can also be explored at several locations. A church has been documented here since 1438. St. Michael’s Parish Church is distinguished by its late Baroque interior, with strong Rococo features. The Seelenkapelle (Chapel of Souls), built in 1735, stands beside the parish church. These three details provide different historical reference points: the early record of a church, the art-historical classification of the interior and the year the chapel was built.
The Holmeierhaus is one of the last surviving examples of the “Waldlerhaus” house type. It recalls a style of construction that shaped Rimbach over the past three centuries. Visits can be arranged on request through the Tourist Information Office. If you would like to see the inside of the house, you should therefore enquire in advance.
Practical Information for Your Stay
Depending on the season, bus routes 615 and 650 run from Furth im Wald or Bad Kötzting to Rimbach. Since services vary by season, it is worth checking the timetable for your intended travel dates. This lets you assess the bus journey based on the actual seasonal schedule, without assuming that there is a year-round service.
Two electric bicycles can be rented from the Rimbach Tourist Information Office at HohenbogenstraĂźe 10. The office can be reached by phone on 09941/940016. If you are planning to rent a bicycle, you can contact them for details. This local point of contact adds another way to organize your trip locally alongside the hiking trails.
More to Explore in the Wider Cham Destination
Those who also explore the wider Cham destination will find distinct cultural and nature attractions elsewhere in the district. In Furth im Wald, the Drachenhöhle (Dragon Cave) offers a tour with information about the town’s dragon story, the festival and the technology behind the dragon robot. Check the operator’s current visitor information before your visit. Furth im Wald is also home to the summer festivals that are part of the Drachenstich tradition.
In Rötz, the Schwarzwihrberg nature forest reserve is part of the “Schwarzwihrberg bei Rötz” FFH site. In Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut, the Pilgrimage Museum is housed in the former Pflegschloss and contains treasures from the pilgrimage church’s archives. These places broaden the picture of the Cham destination with additional, distinct themes. They are separate from Rimbach’s local sights and should be planned as independent destinations.
Discover more destinations: Hohenwarth, Weiding, Gleißenberg, Roding, Arrach, Bad Kötzting, Furth Im Wald, Michelsneukirchen
Back to the wider travel overview: Cham.
