Weißenohe: Hiking, the Lillach and the Monastery Church

A stay in Weißenohe can be shaped around different interests: hiking along the Lillach, the architectural history of St. Boniface Monastery Church, or contemporary art at KunstRaum Weißenohe. If you are considering Weißenohe as a destination for a hotel stay, these themes can shape your plans for the day. They point to different interests: paths and scenery alongside a historic church building and an annual exhibition program.

Hiking along the Lillach and around Weißenohe

A yellow-marked hiking trail leads from the Weißenohe district of Dorfhaus through the Teufelsgraben to the Lillach spring, just over two kilometers away. The route therefore has a named starting point, a marked course and a specific destination. A nature trail also runs along the Lillach, introducing visitors to the special features of the Lillach Valley. These two routes have different emphases: the hike from Dorfhaus focuses on the route to the spring, while the nature trail focuses on explaining the valley’s distinctive features. If you choose a tour based on a specific destination or its main focus, these differences can help you find your way.

There are numerous marked hiking trails around Weißenohe and Dorfhaus. The Frankenweg runs directly through Weißenohe; the town is also a starting point for the “5-Seidla-Steig®” brewery hiking trail. Their roles differ: the Frankenweg passes directly through the town, while Weißenohe serves as a starting point for the 5-Seidla-Steig. If you are planning a specific tour, check trail conditions in advance, as they can change.

Sinter terraces and conservation history

The sinter terraces are located along the Lillach. In 1976, they were designated a nature monument covering an area, in recognition of their beauty and special features. Since 1995, they have been within a protected zone of the Franconian Switzerland Nature Park. The two years mark different forms of protection: the designation as a nature monument and their later inclusion in the protected zone. This makes it possible to trace the sinter terraces’ conservation history through two specific dates.

St. Boniface Monastery Church and art

The plans for today’s St. Boniface Monastery Church in Weißenohe were drawn up by Wolfgang Dietzenhofer (1648–1706), a member of an Upper Bavarian family of master builders. The church was consecrated on St. Boniface’s Day in 1707 by Johann Werner Schnatz, Auxiliary Bishop of Bamberg. The plans and the consecration can be seen as two different milestones in the building’s history: Dietzenhofer is associated with the plans, and Schnatz with the consecration. The church thus brings together a named designer and a precisely dated religious milestone.

KunstRaum Weißenohe presents exhibitions of contemporary art each year, featuring various artists in the former malt house of the monastery brewery. If you are planning a visit, check the current exhibition dates and access arrangements beforehand. After an extensive hike, Weißenohe’s restaurants invite you to stop for a meal featuring typical Franconian cuisine. As individual businesses and offerings may change, it is a good idea to check which places are currently open for your visit.

Discover more destinations

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