Trockau: Motorway Church, Castle and Hiking Trails

Trockau lies in the Franconian Switzerland-Veldenstein Forest Nature Park and borders Franconian Switzerland to the west. The surrounding landscape frames the town, while the church, castle and trails offer specific ideas for planning a stay. You can choose your destination based on whether a rest stop, architectural history or hiking is your priority.

Location and Getting There

Trockau has its own exit on the A9 motorway. To reach the motorway church, take Exit No. 43 Trockau, then follow the signposted local roads uphill.

Motorway Church and Interior

The church in Trockau stands at the highest point in town and is visible from far away. In 2010, it was officially designated a motorway church. It offers a place to rest and pause for reflection, and is a listed building. For travelers wishing to combine a break with a church visit, it is a clear destination. The designation and listed status refer to different aspects: one identifies its function as a motorway church, while the other refers to its protected status.

A prayer and meditation room is located in the former baptistery. The furnishings also include a statue of Saint Christopher by Bamberg artist Albert Ultsch and a Stations of the Cross made of colored ceramics.

Castle History and Hiking Trails

Trockau Castle was built from 1769 to 1779 on the foundations of an older castle. The foundations link the castle’s construction phase to an earlier period, so the castle’s history extends beyond 1769–1779. This building complex is one of the landmarks that shape the town’s history, alongside the motorway church designated in 2010.

The Beer Springs hiking trail can be shortened by taking the trail from Leups to Trockau. After this shortcut, you can choose between the northern loop via Lindenhardt and the southern loop via Büchenbach. Another route continues along Trail No. 232 from Trockau via Leups and Lindenhardt. Leups is therefore a place name shared by both hiking descriptions; Lindenhardt is part of both the northern loop and the route of Trail No. 232.

In the wider destination of Pegnitz

In Pegnitz, the 544-meter-high Schloßberg is a landmark of the town. Its tower can be reached via 97 steps and offers panoramic views of Pegnitz and the surrounding area. The walking tour of Pegnitz starts and ends at the Old Town Hall at Hauptstraße 45 and is approximately 3.5 or 5.7 kilometers long. Pegnitz’s Historic Town Hall was built around 1347 and stands in the middle of the long, linear street market. In Pegnitz, St. Bartholomew’s Church is the third church building on this site; the present-day church was consecrated in 1900. The Pegnitz River rises behind the former Zaußenmühle at a typical karst spring. The two distances differ by just over two kilometers.

For the wider travel overview: Pegnitz.