Schwandorf: Discover the Lake District, nature and culture
Accommodation in Schwandorf
The district of Schwandorf is a holiday destination in the Upper Palatinate Forest in Bavaria. The district is also home to the Upper Palatinate Lake District, a region shaped by water and varied landscapes. When choosing accommodation, you can first consider which themes you want to shape your stay: cycling, nature observation, geology or culture. The region’s destinations focus on different things and provide practical guidance for planning.
Water, cycling and nature
The Weiher cycle route connects Schwandorf with Lake Murner See. The route is around 9 kilometres long, signposted in both directions throughout, and passes through the Charlottenhofer Weiher nature reserve. This connects two points of interest and also takes you through a protected natural area. If you are looking for a cycling route, the stretch between Schwandorf and Lake Murner See is a useful starting point.
At Lake Murner See in Wackersdorf, the Murner See Trail follows a circular route around the lake. A nature trail along the shore provides information about the area’s landscape and cultural history, as well as its plants and animals. The routes offer different experiences: the Weiher cycle route connects Schwandorf with Lake Murner See, while the Murner See Trail circles the lake and adds information about the surrounding area.
The Wasser-Fisch-Natur adventure park is located close to Lake Murner See. Three ponds are used for nature observation and fish farming; they are accessible all year round, at any time of day or night. The site brings together two themes also reflected in the character of the Upper Palatinate Lake District: nature and water management.
Landscape and geological features
The Wald- und Heidelandschaft nature reserve is a valuable refuge for species that cannot survive in more densely vegetated and nutrient-rich habitats. Its ecological importance lies in the special living conditions it provides for these species. Those interested in the landscape will find here both the experience of a protected area and a practical insight into its purpose.
Another special feature is the gneiss at Hochfels in the district of Schwandorf. It was included in Bavaria’s list of the 100 most beautiful geological sites. This geological attraction complements the offerings centred on lakes, routes and protected natural areas.
Culture, history and guided tours
At the Upper Palatinate Open-Air Museum in Nabburg, around 50 reconstructed buildings illustrate how people in the Upper Palatinate lived and worked over the past 300 years. The buildings provide a setting for exploring everyday and working life over an extended period. The BAXI museum bus route 8402 serves the museum within the district. Check the timetable details before setting off.
The Felsenkeller labyrinth in the town of Schwandorf comprises more than 130 cellar sections. A connected area with around 60 rooms has been renovated and is open to the public on guided tours. A guided tour is therefore the way to access this renovated area. You can enquire about dates at the Schwandorf Tourist Office, where tickets can also be reserved. Check the dates before your visit.
Observatory and other attractions
The Dieterskirchen stargazing club regularly offers guided tours of the observatory. These include a planetarium show and, in clear weather, the opportunity to observe through the telescopes. The planetarium and telescope observations offer different ways to explore astronomy; clear skies are required for the latter.
The EIXI adventure playground features swings, spring riders, a slide, a rocking boat and several climbing elements. In Steinberg am See, the approximately 40-metre-high Kugelturm is the highlight of inMotion PARK. Both destinations add different experiences to the options beyond cycling routes, nature observation and history.
Choose accommodation based on your interests
The Weiher cycle route offers a specific cycling connection, while the open-air museum and the Felsenkeller labyrinth offer different cultural and historical experiences. The nature trail, observatory and ponds appeal to those interested in nature and observation. When making your decision, take into account the exact locations of the destinations you have selected. If you plan to visit the Felsenkeller labyrinth, factor in the guided-tour dates; for travel to the open-air museum, check the information about the BAXI museum bus route.
Discover more travel destinations: Neunburg vorm Wald, Wernberg-Köblitz, Schönsee, Oberviechtach, Pfreimd, Schwarzenfeld, Nabburg, Munich region.
Return to the main travel overview: Bavaria.
