Hirschbach

Hirschbach is a municipality in the Amberg-Sulzbach district of Bavaria. The village lies in the Hirschbachtal valley within the Franconian Switzerland–Franconian Jura Nature Park, at an elevation of approximately 440 to 600 metres above sea level. Rock formations, hiking trails and via ferratas give a trip here a clear focus. The Mittelbergwand has more than 59 different climbing routes. There is also a hiking route that focuses on rock formations, caves and viewpoints. If you are looking for a hotel for a hiking or climbing trip, these different focuses can help guide your daily planning from the outset.

Hiking among rock formations and viewpoints

A hiking route starts at the village square in Hirschbach and is dedicated to the rock formations, caves and viewpoints of the Bavarian Jura in the Upper Palatinate. This combination of features has a different focus from the climbing routes on the Mittelbergwand: here, the emphasis is on a themed hike, while there it is on choosing individual climbing routes. This lets you organise your trip around your preferred activity from the outset, rather than treating hiking and climbing as the same undertaking.

Climbing destinations in the Hirschbachtal valley

The Mittelbergwand has more than 59 different climbing routes. The Höhenglücksteig starts on the southwest side of the Schwarzer Brand rock massif in the Hirschbachtal valley; a via ferrata facility for children is located shortly before its starting point. It is also possible to bypass the Höhenglücksteig without using cables or safety equipment. These are different points of reference for planning: the Mittelbergwand offers individual climbing routes, while the Höhenglücksteig has a named starting point and a described bypass option.

Norissteig: walking time, climbing time and safety equipment

The Norissteig starts in Fischbrunn and ends in Mittelhirschbach. It is approximately six kilometres long. Allow about one and a half hours for walking; you should plan approximately three and a half to four and a half hours for climbing. The times refer to different ways of using the route and are therefore not interchangeable: the walking time is shorter than the stated climbing time. The route is equipped with steel pins and wire cables and does not exceed difficulty grade 1. Even so, you should not tackle the Norissteig without safety equipment. Before setting out, check the technical conditions of the route and your personal safety requirements.

Seasonal rules for caves

Seasonal rules are important when it comes to caves. On this route, entering caves is prohibited from 1 October to 31 March; check this time restriction before setting out. Lighting fires is prohibited all year round. So if you are planning a hike featuring caves, you should factor the season into your choice of travel date.

When looking for hotels in Hirschbach, you can first decide what will shape your trip: a hike to rock formations, caves and viewpoints, climbing routes on the Mittelbergwand, or the Norissteig, with its separate walking and climbing times.

For the broader travel overview: Königstein.