Selbitz: Meadow Festival, Local History and Hiking Trails

Selbitz is located in the district of Hof in Bavaria. Its local history, traditional Meadow Festival, and hiking and cycling trails offer a variety of reasons to visit. If you are looking for a hotel in Selbitz, you can plan your trip around whether you want to focus on historic local landmarks, a festival date, or outdoor activities in the countryside.

History and local landmarks

The first documented mention of Selbitz dates back to 1374. The rebuilt church in Selbitz was consecrated in 1640. The Evangelical Church in Selbitz features a pulpit altar by Knoll. Its historical highlights therefore range from the town’s early mention to a specific feature of the church’s furnishings.

The Bockpfeifer figure recalls a 19th-century nickname associated with itinerant musicians. A fountain dedicated to the Bockpfeifer stands next to the town hall. A circular hiking trail in Selbitz is also named after the Bockpfeifer. Selbitz is also home to the motherhouse of the Communität Christusbruderschaft.

In the town center, the Anger provides space to relax, exercise, and attend events. The events held there may vary. If you would like to visit the Anger for a particular event, check the current program.

Meadow Festival and school museum

The traditional Meadow Festival was established in 1834 and is still celebrated in the second half of July. The event date may be updated by the organizers. So, if you want to plan your stay around the Meadow Festival, check the current festival dates before your trip.

As of August 15, 2026, the Selbitz town school museum is closed because the building has been decommissioned; this status may change. The school museum includes a classroom from around 1900 presented in its original setting, old reading books, pencil cases, and timetables, as well as regional settlement maps, a loom, and carrying baskets. The exhibition contents may change in the future.

Hikes combining distance and scenery

The Selbitztalweg OS 32 is 13 kilometers long and is considered easy. The Brotzeitweg OS 33 covers 16 kilometers, is also easy, and is a circular route that starts and ends in Selbitz. It passes through fruit meadows, small villages, and wooded plateaus. When planning your hike, you can therefore take both the distance and the scenery along the Brotzeitweg into account.

Hikers on the Brotzeitweg can try Frankenwald-Kitz, Blaue Zipfel, and traditional Frankenwald dumplings with gravy in Selbitz. Which establishments offer these specialties may change; check what is currently available before your hike. Local trail routes may also change, so it is worth checking the latest route information before setting out.

Cycling and transport history

The Selbitztal cycle path HO 2 is mostly flat, with only a few moderate climbs. It follows the Selbitz River to its confluence with the Saale at Blankenstein and ends at Bad Steben station. The Selbitztal cycle path opened in 2002 to promote tourism and healthy recreation.

Selbitz is considered to be located close to the Bayerisches Vogtland motorway interchange on the A9 and A72. Its transport history includes the Hof–Selbitz–Bad Steben railway line, which opened in 1887. These historical details add further perspectives for planning a stay alongside the local landmarks and current routes.

Discover more destinations: Geroldsgrün, Stammbach, Lichtenberg, Feilitzsch, Issigau, Oberkotzau, Schwarzenbach Am Wald, Hof.

Back to the main travel guide: Hof.