Neustadt am Kulm: Rauher Kulm and Geopark

Neustadt am Kulm appeals to travelers who want to include a volcanic landscape, a Geopark hike and historic buildings in their choice of destination. Rauher Kulm defines the landscape theme; Kleiner Kulm, the rock cellars at Sandberg and the churches offer other points of interest. If you are looking for a hotel for your trip, you can choose the town based on this focus. Bockl and Parkstein, by contrast, belong to the wider Neustadt an der Waldnaab travel destination and are covered separately below.

Rauher Kulm: Volcanic Landscape and Views

Rauher Kulm is 682.5 m high and is one of Bavaria’s most impressive basalt mountains. The volcanic landscape has been protected as a natural monument since 1949. Its significance is not only geological, but also historical and important in terms of nature conservation. Its height, basalt and protected status give the mountain a distinctive profile; its historical and nature conservation significance add to the way the landscape can be viewed.

A station on the “Volcanoes” GEO-Tour is located in an old quarry on Kleiner Kulm. The summit offers outstanding views of the town, Rauher Kulm and the surrounding area. At the end of “Kleiner Kulm” street, a GEO-Tour information board stands in front of the exposed rock face of an old quarry. The Geopark theme is therefore presented both as a named tour stop and on the board in front of the rock face.

The Geopark Hike and Its Stops

The Geopark hike starts at the market square and first leads to Kleiner Kulm. It then follows the “Rollbahn,” passes an archaeological excavation and climbs to the summit of Kulm and the observation tower. Other named points along the tour are the Margravial Church and the rock cellars at Sandberg, at the foot of Rauher Kulm.

If you want to focus on particular points, you can set the summit and observation tower apart from the stops along the way: Rollbahn, the excavation, the church and the rock cellars add further themes to the route description. The route thus combines landscape and geology with archaeological and architectural stops. Which of these interests you most can shape how you view the hike, without confusing the individual points.

Church History and a Snack with a View

The town church in Neustadt am Kulm was built in 1413 as a Carmelite monastery church. It adds a clear historical note to the town. The Geopark hike also passes the Margravial Church; both church-related points complement the nature and geology themes with history.

A snack with a lovely view is recommended at the Kulmterrasse at the foot of Rauher Kulm. If you include this suggestion in your plans, check the latest details beforehand.

Other Destinations in the Wider Neustadt an der Waldnaab Travel Destination

Bockl is a 52 km route from Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Eslarn along a historic railway line. You can use it on foot, by bicycle or on inline skates. The route is mostly paved and traffic-free; gradients rarely exceed 3 percent. Check the timetable before setting off.

Parkstein is also part of the wider travel destination. At Vulkanerlebnis Parkstein, a volcanic eruption is staged every hour and can be experienced on three levels. If you include this attraction in your travel plans, check the latest schedule beforehand. This keeps Neustadt am Kulm’s local Geopark and history themes clearly distinct from the other destinations in the wider travel destination.

View the wider travel overview: Eschenbach In Der Oberpfalz.