Kirchenthumbach: Church Art, Views and Cycling Routes

Kirchenthumbach can be explored through three themes: the art in the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary, the view over Thurndorf from Calvary Hill, and several cycling routes. When planning your trip, you can decide whether church art, a steep climb or a bike ride should be the focus.

Church Art and History

Bishop Dr. Rudolf Graber consecrated the Parish Church of the Assumption of Mary on 26 May 1974. One striking work of art in the church is the Stations of the Cross by Egino Günter Weinert, added in 1977. It comprises 15 stations; the colorful images are fired in enamel and framed in bronze. The 15th station depicts the Resurrection.

A historic work of art can also be seen in the church square: a Baroque statue of the Virgin Mary dating from 1719 stands on the west façade of the parish church and is also known as the “Frauenbild.” It was renovated in 1984. In the associated municipality of Thurndorf, the Theophilus Bell hangs in the tower of St. James’ Church and is one of Bavaria’s oldest church bells. The history of the parish church is thus connected with other named ecclesiastical artworks and cultural heritage in the municipality.

Calvary Hill and Views

The NEW-26 circular route climbs steeply to the 642-meter-high Calvary Hill, the highest point of the Kütschenrain. From there, the view extends south and west over Thurndorf. If you are planning your route, the steep climb is an important part of this trail.

A 25-meter-high observation tower, built in 2014/15, stands near Calvary Hill. From there, the panoramic view reaches as far as the peaks of the Upper Palatinate Jura and across Franconian Switzerland, the Fichtel Mountains and the Upper Palatinate Forest. Calvary Hill and the tower therefore offer distinct named viewpoints to include in your tour planning.

Cycling Routes with Different Trail Conditions

The NEW-26 cycling loop starts and ends in Kirchenthumbach. Along the way, it passes through Burggrub, Wölkersdorf, Thurndorf, Neuzirkendorf, Höflas and Görglas. The route runs mostly on paved roads, including several kilometers on state roads. It also includes quiet side roads, a stretch of forest track and a short cycle path alongside a road. As trail conditions can change, check the latest route information before setting out.

Another route is the GEO cycling trail “Weg des Lebens” (Path of Life). In Kirchenthumbach, it passes the Heberbräu brewery, a point of interest along the route. The two cycling routes therefore differ in their described itineraries: the NEW-26 cycling loop is a circuit passing through named places and a mix of roads and trails, while the GEO cycling trail incorporates a local point of interest into its route.

Excursions in the Wider Destination of Neustadt An Der Waldnaab

The district of Neustadt an der Waldnaab lies within the Upper Palatinate Forest destination. Regional activities include hiking, cycling, museum visits and swimming in numerous bathing waters. These themes complement the church art and cycling routes described in Kirchenthumbach itself with further options within the wider destination.

The Bockl is a 52-kilometer route from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. It can be used on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates. The trail is mostly paved and traffic-free; gradients exceed 3 percent only rarely. The starting point in Neustadt an der Waldnaab is directly accessible by train: trains run every hour to the terminus of the Nuremberg–Neustadt an der Waldnaab line, where you can transfer directly to your bike. Check the timetable before traveling.

In Parkstein, the basalt cone was added to the list of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes in 2003; in 2006, it received the designation “National Geotope.” At Vulkanerlebnis Parkstein, a volcanic eruption is staged every hour and can be experienced on three levels. As schedules may change, check the latest information when planning your visit.

Discover more destinations: Tännesberg, Kohlberg, Eslarn, Theisseil, Pleystein, Waidhaus, Schwarzenbach, Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.

Return to the wider travel overview: Neustadt An Der Waldnaab.