On this extensive tour between the old violin-making town of Bubenreuth and the horseradish town of Baiersdorf, elements of the Franconian cultural landscape combine with evidence of Christian and Jewish history. Rewarding detours to the enchanting swan ponds near Bräuningshof and the Möhrendorf water wheels enhance the scenic route. Along the way, special features such as wayside shrines and a former sand pit bear witness to the cultural and economic significance of the region north of Erlangen.
The tour starts in the old town center of the instrument-making town BubenreuthNot far from an open-air photovoltaic system, you leave civilization behind and hike along the Rothweiher ponds with a view of the Rehbuck and its flanking orchards. In the distance, the heights of Atzelsberg are visible, and beehives and horse paddocks flank the path. At the highest point of the hill, old oak trees line the route and lead – behind sports and play areas not far from the Köhnweiher pond – into agricultural land with grazing free-range cattle. Bräuningshof Behind you you have several wide views into the cultural landscape around Igelsdorf and as far as the Franconian Switzerland on the horizon. Behind a bench at the silted-up fish pond, the trail reaches the mixed pine forest "Eichholz" and the connecting road to Langensendelbach. A short detour through the Erlangen city forest to the Swan ponds – an enchanted chain of ponds with water lilies, water birds, freshwater fish, beavers and benches under birch trees for inner contemplation. Back at the starting point, the country road leads along the former Bräuningshof sand pit with information board about the Franconian Sand Axis. A martyrdom in the form of a sandstone pillar from 1625 with a resting stone and numerous fish ponds greet you along the roadside. The cemetery is reached Langensendelbach and beyond the sports field, another, albeit weathered and overgrown, sandstone shrine fragment from 1726 with a resting stone. In early summer, you can buy local fruit along the roadside for a snack. The Schlangenbach stream leads you into the historic town center – here, a short detour to the Parish church of St. Peter and Paul in Baroque Art Nouveau style from 1913-15 with a former choir tower (originally from 1433, renovated in 1753). The features include a neo-Gothic Mount of Olives Chapel, the churchyard enclosure of sandstone ashlar masonry, a neo-Gothic crucifixion group, and grave and war memorials. Field paths continue through the cultural landscape "im Weidich" with old oak trees, orchards, and a sweeping view of the distant water tower. The route skirts Haguenau with its famous violin factory. Passing horseradish fields the tour reaches the Krenstadt Baiersdorf, crosses the railway underpass, artistically sprayed with graffiti, later the motorway bridge and leads through the historic, freshly restored old town from the Middle Ages and the Early Modern period. There, a detour to the castle, which has been occupied since the Late Middle Ages, is worthwhile. Israelite Cemetery with sandstone ashlar walls, numerous gravestones from the 15th to 18th centuries, and information panels about the Jewish community. Also worth seeing is the Parish Church of St. Nicholas, a Gothic sandstone building from the 15th century with a tower probably from the 14th century, which was remodeled in the Baroque style between 1670 and 79 and finally remodeled in the Neo-Gothic style. The local museum "Haus Kupfmüller" on the Rathausplatz is also worth a visit. The last part of the walk leads through a beautiful avenue past the "Grum" pond and an information board about the water wheels on the Regnitz River. Around the corner, a memorial stone marks the demolished early modern Scharfeneck Castle of which only the remains of the walls remain. After the football field, the Mühlweg runs through the meadows of the same name in the Regnitz Valley, skirts the Baiersdorfermühle power station, and from here offers a view of the former grinding and powder mill "Kleinseebach Mill" of the 18th/19th century, which today houses the Möhrendorf Mill Theatre. At the end of the hike, you can take a detour to the open-air museum of the Möhrendorf water wheels (unmarked) with benches for enjoying these historic relics of water meadow management. If you haven't had enough yet, you can conquer the world's largest bouldering hall at the Frankenjura climbing hall, just across the highway in Bubenreuth.
Discover the route yourself with komoot.