Hof: Trails, Museums and Stories

Höllental is a 3.8-kilometre stretch of the Selbitz Valley between Hölle, a district of the town of Naila, and Blechschmidtenhammer, which belongs to the town of Lichtenberg, in the district of Hof. The Hofer Land comprises 27 municipalities as well as the independent city of Hof. In the district, an Upper Franconian hilly landscape with diverse flora and fauna characterises the region.

Hiking in Höllental

More than 30 kilometres of marked trails open up the hiking area between Hölle and Blechschmidtenhammer and between the valleys of the Selbitz, the Thuringian Muschwitz and the Saxon Saale. The stated route lengths offer a clear way to compare different hikes: the Felsenpfad US 14 runs for 5.4 kilometres past rock formations and offers sweeping views into the valley. The FrankenwaldSteigla Höllentour covers 7.4 kilometres on narrow paths through the nature reserve. The König David US 21 circular trail leads from Issigau through Höllental to the König David viewpoint and back; it is 11.2 kilometres long.

Another circular route is the approximately 7-kilometre Geology and Mining Adventure Trail between Höllental and the Lochbachtal to the west. The starting and finishing point is the Frankenwald Nature Park Information Centre in the old Lichtenberg railway station in Blechschmidtenhammer; parking is available there. For those considering longer routes: the Frankenweg begins in Untereichenstein, a hiking hub where the Rennsteig, FrankenwaldSteig, Blauer Kammweg and Fränkischer Gebirgsweg also begin. Routes may change; check the tour information before setting out on your hike.

Mining history and remembrance

The Friedrich-Wilhelm-Stollen is now a show mine and also a 1,000-metre-long drainage tunnel founded by Alexander von Humboldt. It is a protected historic monument; its monument number is D-4-75-146-19. In Mödlareuth, the German-German Museum is dedicated to the former site of division and separation. It presents it as a memorial, a place where borders were overcome and a place of encounter. On an open-air site of around 15,000 square metres, the museum preserves large sections of the former border fortifications specific to Mödlareuth in their original form.

Museums of crafts and regional history

Schauenstein offers a range of insights into local and technological history. Its sights include the natural monuments Wachende Jungfrau and Schlafender Riese, the church and the listed market square as an ensemble. Schauenstein Castle houses the local history museum and part of the Upper Franconian Fire Brigade Museum. Using original exhibits, the latter traces the development of the fire brigade in the district of Hof from 1855 to the present day. A hand-operated fire engine from 1855 is described as the oldest and most important exhibit. The local history museum also features taxidermy specimens, a mineral collection, and rooms depicting the lives of craftspeople and townspeople.

At the Upper Franconian Textile Museum in Helmbrechts, the story of textile production ranges from simple home weaving to industrial weaving. On the ground floor, three stacks of the Longest Scarf stand out; together, they weigh well over half a tonne. Regular courses and continuing education classes focus on handicrafts and fabric processing, including sewing, quilting and printing. Dates may vary. The Marlesreuth Weaver’s House, meanwhile, shows the frugal life of handloom weavers centred around the dominant handloom and how it works. Built at the beginning of the 19th century, the building is one of the oldest surviving private houses in the village.

In Schwarzenbach an der Saale, the Erika Fuchs House is Germany’s first comic museum. Interactive stations invite visitors to explore language through play. Special exhibitions, talks, readings and workshops regularly explore comics and the art of language; the programme may change.

The city of Hof, nature and recreation

The independent city of Hof also offers visitors a variety of places to explore. The Museum Bayerisches Vogtland combines local and regional history with the history of technology and textiles, crafts and trade, as well as natural history displays. The 70-hectare Bürgerpark Theresienstein is an English-style garden regarded as a local gem. Swimming, surfing, sailing, rowing and kayaking are possible at Untreusee; individual activities may be subject to seasonal regulations.

Bad Steben combines walking and hiking opportunities in the spa gardens with a special bathing experience: for more than a century and a half, the spa gardens have been a popular destination for walkers, hikers and sports enthusiasts. In the outdoor area of the spa, a 36 °C brine pool features massage jets, neck showers, bubble loungers and a large geyser. Check the latest information about the facilities before your visit.

Planning your trip

When planning your hotel choice, first decide which places and experiences matter most for your stay: hikes in Höllental, museums in different municipalities or activities in the city of Hof each offer a different focus. For journeys between adjacent service areas in the district and the city of Hof, the Hofer LandBus provides connections in both directions. Since its expansion in October 2024, the service has covered around 1,450 stops. The LandBus runs on demand via an app, without a fixed timetable; the 13 service areas and other details may change. Check this information before your journey.

Discover more destinations: Naila, Lichtenberg, Helmbrechts, Hof, Münchberg, Selbitz, Zell im Fichtelgebirge, Schwarzenbach an der Saale, Bad Steben, Regnitzlosau, Schwarzenbach am Wald, Sparneck, Stammbach, Gattendorf, Trogen, Berg, Rehau, Oberkotzau, Feilitzsch, Geroldsgrün, Issigau, Köditz, Schauenstein, Konradsreuth.

For the main travel overview: Bavaria.