Waidhaus: Hiking, Water and Nature

Hiking from the Market Square

Seven circular hiking trails, each 8 to 13 km long, start from the market square in Waidhaus. If you are looking for a specific loop, “Around Sulzberg” is a nearly 13 km route that also starts at the market square.

When planning, you can use the name and stated length of each route to choose a loop that fits your day’s plans. This makes it easy to decide: choose from the seven trails or consider the described “Around Sulzberg” route as a specific option.

Bäckeröd Recreation Area: Water and Exercise

The Bäckeröd Recreation Area includes an outdoor swimming pool with 2,000 m² of water for swimmers and around 1,000 m² for non-swimmers. The outdoor pool operates seasonally; check the current opening hours before your visit.

The Vitalpark within the recreation area features a climbing and balancing course and a rope-net climbing pyramid for children and teenagers. There is also a 3 m-high bouldering rock with various levels of difficulty. These activities offer different focuses: the course and pyramid combine climbing with balancing, while the bouldering rock offers a range of climbing challenges. The Vitalpark is accessible free of charge via the main entrance to the recreation area; check before visiting whether this access policy is still in effect.

Nature at Dufthang

At Dufthang, bilingual information boards with QR codes explain bee-friendly trees and shrubs, plants and herbs, as well as the lives of bees. You can explore the information on the boards or via the QR codes. The entire site is wheelchair accessible. As conditions on site may change, it is advisable to check accessibility shortly before your visit.

Art at the Border Crossing

There is a work of art on each side of the motorway bridge at the Waidhaus border crossing. The works relate to the region’s turbulent history and the strict separation between the two countries. This adds a historical dimension to the area’s leisure and nature attractions: the artworks make the history of the border crossing a focus of interest in its own right.

Excursions in the wider destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab

The wider destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab also offers ideas for a varied itinerary: the district is part of the Upper Palatinate Forest destination and lists hiking, cycling, museum visits and swimming in numerous bathing waters among its offerings. These regional options complement the activities described in Waidhaus and provide further ideas for planning your trip.

One specific route in this wider destination is the Bockl: the 52 km route runs from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line and can be used on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates. It is mostly paved and traffic-free; gradients rarely exceed 3 percent. These details help you assess the route by length, surface and possible mode of travel.

For those interested in culture, Speinshart Monastery Church is another regional point of interest: it is one of the most significant Baroque buildings in southern Germany and is distinguished by its Italian High Baroque interior. A public church tour takes place there at 3 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. Check tour dates before travelling, as they may change. This allows you to distinguish between hiking trails, leisure activities and regional cultural attractions when planning, without treating these places as if they were the same.

Other places to compare in the wider destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab: Moosbach, Pleystein, Störnstein, Waldthurn, Grafenwöhr, Floß, Theisseil and Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.

View the wider travel overview: District of Neustadt an der Waldnaab.