Bärnau: Cross-country skiing, nature and culture

Cross-country skiing and sports at Silberhütte

Silberhütte is in the area of the town of Bärnau, at an elevation of around 850 metres above sea level. It is a year-round starting point for sports activities, both competitive and recreational. For winter planning, it is important to distinguish between the two: Silberhütte is a point of reference for various sports activities, while the trail network is explicitly dependent on good snow conditions.

If you are planning to go cross-country skiing, you can use the stated range of 2 to 18 kilometres and the choice between classic-style and skating-style skiing as a guide. Check the snow conditions before your visit, as use of the trail network depends on them. Silberhütte’s approximate elevation is an additional geographical point of reference.

Cycling, hiking and water

Cycling is also an option during a stay in Bärnau: a well-signposted network of cycle routes around the town offers routes for leisure cyclists and competitive athletes. This means the options range from relaxed rides to more athletic cycling. You can choose the type of tour that suits you based on your own interests.

The Grenzland nature trail borders Moorweiher pond and is suitable for hiking. The pond is freely accessible at all times; rowing and swimming are possible. There is no lifeguard service. This means hiking along the nature trail and activities on the water are available as separate options.

History and culture in Bärnau

The German Button Museum covers buttons from four centuries and made from 26 different materials. It also displays machinery and equipment used in earlier button-making methods. Since 1998, the museum has been housed in the town of Bärnau’s former communal brewery. The collection and the building thus bring together different aspects of local history: the craft and the use of a historic building.

During their visit to the Bärnau-Tachov History Park, visitors can use audio tours on their own smartphones free of charge; no download is required. Audio guides are available in German, Czech and English. This lets you combine your walk through the park with a guided tour in one of the three languages on offer.

A guided walk through Bärnau’s Old Town introduces visitors to the history and present-day life of the oldest town in the Stiftland region. Group bookings and open tours are listed for these guided walks. If you are planning a tour, check the current dates in advance.

Places of interest nearby

The Steinberg, near Bärnau, features both historic and natural landmarks. Tilly’s Redoubt is a surviving archaeological monument from the Thirty Years’ War. The fortification was built as a defensive structure in 1621.

The pilgrimage route on the Steinberg also passes through an avenue of lime, elm and maple trees that is over 200 years old; Stations of the Cross stand along the route. The avenue is designated a nature monument. The route thus combines old-growth trees and religious heritage, while Tilly’s Redoubt recalls the history of the fortification.

For the regional travel overview: Tirschenreuth.