Schönthal between cycling routes and monastic history

There are two distinct ways to discover Schönthal: by following routes through the Schwarzach Valley and by exploring the traces of the Augustinian monastery and Hussite history. Route information and historical themes are helpful reference points when planning a stay. This helps you decide whether to focus your trip on cycling or hiking, architectural history, or both.

Cycling in the Schwarzach Valley

The Schwarzachtal Cycle Route is 132.1 kilometers long and passes through, among other places, Schwarzenfeld, Schwarzach bei Nabburg, Neunburg vorm Wald, Rötz, and Schönthal, continuing through Waldmünchen and the Höll border crossing, as well as other places, to Kritzenast. In Schönthal, the route follows quiet former river channels and leads into the town in the direction of Thuraumühle. Schönthal is therefore part of a longer route; the former river channels are a specific landmark for the section described there. The 132.1 kilometers refer to the entire route. Check current route conditions before setting out.

Hiking trails and their routes

The Sc03 (Hussenbierl Trail) starts and ends in Schönthal. It crosses the northern slope of Kühberg into the Schwarzach Valley near Thuraumühle. Kleinschönthal, the Schwarzach Valley, and Döfering serve as landmarks on the way to Hussenbierl Chapel; the return to Schönthal Town Hall Square runs via Döfering and Kleinschönthal. One section follows the Goldsteig as far as Hussenbierlstraße. From Hussenbierl Chapel, the view extends to Schwarzwihr. On the return journey, the Sc03 passes the church and monastery in Schönthal.

The Sc02 (Forest Chapel Trail) follows a different route: it leads from Döfering via the Goldsteig above Mühlbirl to Rhan. The two descriptions therefore use different landmarks. The Hussenbierl Trail mentions, among other things, the chapel, the Schwarzach Valley, and the return to Town Hall Square; the Forest Chapel Trail connects Döfering, the Goldsteig, and Rhan along its route. If you are planning either hike, check the current route before setting out.

Monastery and Hussite history

Despite years of threats and devastation by the Hussites, as well as the Reformation and Counter-Reformation, the Augustinian monastery in Schönthal developed into the economic, intellectual, and ecclesiastical center of the upper Schwarzach Valley. The former Augustinian hermit monastery comprises the former monastery church, now the Catholic parish church of St. Michael, and the monastery building. The latter was built in 1695 to designs by Wolfgang Dientzenhofer and is a two-story, four-wing building with hipped roofs, a driveway, and plasterwork detailing.

Another historical site is the Hussite monument in Hiltersried. It was erected in 1933 to commemorate the Hussites’ defeat there in 1433. The two dates refer to different events: 1433 marks the battle, and 1933 the erection of the monument. The regional history of the monastery thus complements the specific commemoration of a historical event in Hiltersried.

More to explore in the wider travel destination of Cham

The wider travel destination of Cham offers additional attractions located in other places. In Furth im Wald, a town in the district of Cham, the Dragon Cave offers a tour with information about the town’s dragon history, the pageant, and the technology behind the dragon robot. The summer pageants are part of the Dragon Stabbing tradition there. If you are planning a visit, check the operator’s current visitor information in advance. In Rötz, the Schwarzwihrberg Natural Forest Reserve is part of the “Schwarzwihrberg bei Rötz” FFH area. In Neukirchen beim Heiligen Blut, the pilgrimage museum is housed in the former administrative castle; its collection includes treasures from the archive of the pilgrimage church.

If you are looking for a hotel in Schönthal, your travel focus can help guide your choice: the cycling route, one of the hikes described here, or the town’s history. This lets you tailor your search to the themes that matter most during your stay.

Discover more destinations: Loitendorf, Traitsching, Falkenstein, Schorndorf, Miltach, Michelsneukirchen, Zell, Neukirchen Heiligblut

Return to the wider travel overview: Cham.