Stadlern: Pilgrimage, Hiking Trails and Nature

When looking for a hotel in Stadlern, the purpose of your stay can help you decide where to focus: pilgrimage and local history are complemented by various hiking destinations; the bathing pond is at the edge of town, while Hochfels is nearby. The main attractions therefore differ considerably. The following local features can help you factor a festival date, a hike or an interest in the landscape into your plans.

Pilgrimage and Historical Landmarks

The Feast of the Assumption on 15 August is an annual event: around a thousand devotees of Mary gather in Stadlern for the occasion. A service takes place in the pilgrimage church of the Assumption of Mary in the morning, followed by the festival service on Calvary Hill in the late morning. These are two events at different locations. If you plan your visit around the feast day, check the current programme and times in advance.

Beside the entrance to the pilgrimage church stands the column “Christ in the Winepress”. It is considered one of the most distinctive monuments in the district of Schwandorf. The Böhmerwald Observation Tower marks another point in local history: with support from the municipality of Stadlern, it was officially inaugurated on 1 July 1984. The column and the tower offer different ways to explore religious art and local history.

Hikes with Different Highlights

The Goldbrunnenweg is an easy, 6.7-kilometre circular route connecting Stadlern and Waldhäuser. It starts at the “Am Hochfels” hiking car park and follows a well-maintained forest track to Calvary Hill in Stadlern. Its length, circular layout and starting point provide useful details for planning the hike. Check trail conditions before setting out.

The Grenz-Erlebnisrunde starts at the Hochfels natural monument. From there, it leads to the Böhmerwald Observation Tower and Bügellohe, then through the forest past the ruins of Reichenstein Castle and back to Stadlern. The Goldbrunnenweg is a 6.7-kilometre circular route; the Grenz-Erlebnisrunde can be distinguished by the sequence of its stops. Several hiking trails, including the Grenz-Erlebnisrunde, pass the Hochfels natural monument; you should also check local trail conditions in advance.

There is a separate access route for the ruins of Reichenstein Castle: free parking is available at the “Am Hochfels” hiking car park, from where a footpath of about 1.2 kilometres leads to the ruins. As parking conditions can change, check them before you travel.

Natural Monument and Bathing Pond

Hochfels lies nearby, in the Schönseer Land. The natural monument covers 10 hectares and is one of Bavaria’s 100 most beautiful geotopes. Hochfels is a prominent ridge of cordierite-sillimanite gneiss; boulder fields, individual boulders and heath vegetation shape the surrounding landscape. From Hochfels, you can enjoy panoramic views across the Schönseer Land to the border with neighbouring Czechia. Its geological formations, open landscape and views reveal different aspects of the same natural area.

The Stadlern bathing pond is a natural swimming pond at the edge of Stadlern, in the direction of Weiding. There is a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court by the pond. This gives visitors another named attraction to choose from, alongside pilgrimage, hiking trails and scenic views.

For the broader travel overview: Schönsee.