Loitendorf: Cycling Tours and History

Loitendorf can be explored primarily through two clearly defined themes: cycling tours whose routes pass through the village, and historical connections ranging from a Mesolithic archaeological site to a donation made in 1303. When looking for a hotel, it helps to decide whether you would like to plan your stay around the routes or the village’s history.

Cycling tours that pass through Loitendorf

The recently published regional descriptions of Tours 7 and 9 both include Loitendorf on their routes. Tour 7 runs through Kritzenast, Loitendorf, and Hiltersried. Tour 9 runs through Hiltersried, Loitendorf, and Trosendorf. Both tours include Loitendorf and Hiltersried, but in reverse order. The other places mentioned also differ: Kritzenast is included on Tour 7, while Trosendorf is included on Tour 9. This lets you distinguish between the two descriptions by their place names rather than relying only on the tour numbers.

A description updated in 2026 shows the Schwarzachtal Tour running through Hiltersried, Loitendorf, Kritzenast, Thuraumühle, and Schönthal. It therefore lists another sequence of places, different from those on Tours 7 and 9. These place names give cyclists concrete reference points for identifying the different route descriptions.

Archaeological and medieval connections

A Mesolithic open-air site in Loitendorf is registered as an archaeological monument under reference D-3-6641-0092. It is an archaeological point of interest in the village’s history. Another historical reference dates to 1303, when Hiltprant von Puchperch donated a small estate in Loitendorf to the monastery. Together, these two references offer different perspectives on Loitendorf, although they relate to different periods.

More to explore in the wider destination of Schönthal

In addition to Loitendorf, the wider destination of Schönthal offers other named cycling and hiking trails. The 132.1-kilometer Schwarzachtal Cycle Route passes through Schwarzenfeld, Schwarzach bei Nabburg, Neunburg vorm Wald, Rötz, Schönthal, and Waldmünchen, among other places. It crosses the Höll border crossing and continues through other places as far as Kritzenast. One described section passes quiet oxbow lakes before reaching Schönthal in the direction of Thuraumühle. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Schönthal has marked hiking and cycling trails, including the 10-kilometer Hussenbierlweg loop and the 11-kilometer Waldkapellenweg circular trail. The Waldkapellenweg starts at Rathausplatz. On the Hussenbierlweg, Route Sc03 runs along the northern slope of Kühberg into the Schwarzachtal near Thuraumühle. The trail starts and ends in Schönthal; on the return, it passes the church and monastery. The Waldkapellenweg Sc02 runs from Döfering via the Goldsteig above Mühlbirl to Rhan. At 11 kilometers, the Waldkapellenweg is one kilometer longer than the Hussenbierlweg and starts at Rathausplatz; the Hussenbierlweg runs along the northern slope of Kühberg into the Schwarzachtal near Thuraumühle.

Schönthal’s history is another distinct regional highlight. It is home to a former Augustinian Hermits monastery. Despite years of threats and devastation by the Hussites, as well as the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the Augustinian monastery developed into the economic, intellectual, and ecclesiastical center of the upper Schwarzachtal. In Hiltersried, the Hussite monument, erected in 1933, commemorates the Hussites’ defeat there in 1433.

There are also specific options for other interests: the Schwarzach in Schönthal offers opportunities for fishing. The Schönthal Tourist Office provides guests and tourists with information, brochures, and advice, and can be reached by car or on foot. These Schönthal highlights complement Loitendorf’s route and historical connections without conflating them with features of the wider destination.

For the wider travel overview: Schönthal.