Discover Stockheim in Upper Franconia

Stockheim in Upper Franconia offers two clearly distinct themes for a stay: the history of coal mining and nature-related attractions such as hiking trails and the Stockheim geotope. Mining can be explored in several ways: the Rentei is a preserved building from the historic mine, the Mining Museum displays objects from the active mining era, and the Dachsbau Adventure Trail features information boards. You can choose how to explore the town’s history based on the format that interests you most.

Mining history through a building, a collection and information boards

Today, the Rentei is one of the last remaining buildings of the historic “St. Katharina” mine in Stockheim. The Stockheim Mining Museum displays tools, miners’ lamps, documents and other items from the active mining era. The two offer different perspectives: the Rentei focuses on the preserved structures of a former mine, while the Mining Museum presents a collection of work equipment, lamps, documents and finds. If you are interested in industrial history, you can explore the subject through both a historic building and objects from the mining era.

The Dachsbau Mining Adventure Trail presents the history of coal mining in Stockheim with an overview board and six object boards. The overview puts the subject in context, while the six boards focus on individual objects. This makes the trail another way to explore the subject, alongside the building and the collection. To understand the history of coal mining in Stockheim, you can use this structure as a guide: first the broader context, then the connections to individual objects.

The Rentei’s programme includes a monthly games evening, which everyone is welcome to attend. If you would like to plan your stay around this event, check in advance whether a games evening falls within your travel dates.

Hiking trails and geotope

The mining circular hiking trail crosses the border between Bavaria and Thuringia. This connection between two federal states is a specific feature to consider when choosing a hike. The Stockheim geotope is one of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes. While the trail stands out for crossing a state border, the geotope’s distinction is its place among Bavaria’s award-winning geotopes.

Another route mentioned is the FrankenwaldSteigla Im Kohlenwald, which starts at the information boards by the mine. If you are planning to include this route, check the latest trail details in advance.

Planning your trip around your interests

You can organise your plans around different interests: the Rentei and Mining Museum offer a building and a collection, while the Dachsbau presents the history of coal mining through information boards. For a hiking-focused stay, the mining circular hiking trail and the FrankenwaldSteigla Im Kohlenwald are two named route options; the geotope offers a distinct geological focus. Think about which experience you would like to shape your stay, and check the latest details for any planned hikes. This will help you include the different themes in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Steinwiesen, Pressig, Wilhelmsthal, Teuschnitz, Weißenbrunn, Ludwigsstadt, Nordhalben, Tettau.

Return to the wider travel overview: Kronach.