Mainleus between the Main Cycle Route and cultural history

Mainleus combines a wide Main valley with cycling and hiking trails, a lookout tower, and cultural and historical attractions. When choosing a hotel, you can base your decision on the themes of your trip, such as a cycling tour, trails on Patersberg, the KRUMBA festival, or the history of Wernstein Castle. The Main valley is shaped by the River Main and surrounded by the Patersberg massif, the Albvorland, and the Zentbach valley.

Cycling and hiking in Mainleus

Mainleus is right on the Main Cycle Route and is connected to the wider cycling network of the Kulmbach district. The Auen-Weg leaves the village along the Buchauer Weg shared pedestrian and cycle path (KU 65 blue) towards Willmersreuth and leads to the historic Unterauhof motte-and-bailey site. This route therefore connects a named trail with a cultural and historical destination.

The Patersbergweg circular hiking trail is named after the “Schau-dich-um” lookout tower, built in 1838 on Patersberg. Its two loops connect with the Frankenweg and Burgenweg trails. Another route to the “Schaudichum” lookout tower is described as starting from the parking lot at the edge of Veitlahm, in the direction of Kulmbach: from there, a hiking trail with a connected educational adventure trail leads directly to the tower on Patersberg. The routes therefore have different points of reference: the Patersbergweg loops and the direct route from the specified parking lot to the lookout tower.

Mainleus outdoor swimming pool has a lazy river and a giant water slide. Check before your visit whether these facilities are currently available. Designated cycling and hiking trails are also located near the motorhome parking area at the outdoor pool.

Local history, festivals, and places to eat

In 1370, the Lords of Künßberg built a fortified house on the basalt outcrop of Bärenstein, also known as Bernstein, in Wernstein. It later developed into the present-day castle. The history links the village to a distinctive geological site and dates back to the era of the fortified house.

The “KRUMBA,” a Franconian traditional festival in the Mainleus district of Willmersreuth, is held every year. It takes place on the weekend after Ascension Day; the exact date changes from year to year. If you are planning your trip around the festival, check the date for the relevant year.

The Zur Linde inn in Willmersreuth is a restaurant serving homemade specialties. As opening arrangements may change, it is advisable to check directly before planning a visit. Buchau Castle and Schmeilsdorf Castle are among the listed sights in Mainleus and are privately owned. The Hornschuchshausen ensemble is also among the listed sights.

Kulmbach as a wider travel destination

In the wider travel destination of Kulmbach, hiking options differ in length and focus, among other things. The nature trail on Kulmbach’s Rehberg is about four kilometres long and has 21 learning stations. The “Rehbergweg” Frankenwaldsteigla, by contrast, is an eleven-kilometre circular route: it leads from Plassenburg to Rehberg, through Kulmbach’s old town, and back to the starting point.

Kulmbach also has destinations for travellers interested in culture. The German Tin Figure Museum at Plassenburg houses more than 300,000 individual figures, arranged in around 150 dioramas.

Discover more destinations: Wonsees, Neudrossenfeld, Trebgast, Himmelkron, Neuenmarkt, Marktschorgast, Wirsberg, Stadtsteinach

Return to the wider travel overview: Kulmbach.