Schwandorf: Lake District, Nature and Geotopes

The Schwandorf district in Bavaria is a holiday destination in the Upper Palatinate Forest. Within the district, the Upper Palatinate Lake District is a region shaped by water and varied landscapes.

Nature and landscapes

The Wald- und Heidelandschaft nature reserve provides a valuable refuge for species that cannot survive in locations with denser vegetation and richer soil. Another special feature is the gneiss at Hochfels in the district: it was included in Bavaria’s list of the 100 most beautiful geotopes. These two features illustrate different aspects of the landscape—the ecological function of a protected area and the geological nature of the rock.

Waterways and outdoor activities

The Weiher Cycle Route is around 9 kilometres long and signposted in both directions along its entire length. It connects Schwandorf with Lake Murner and passes through the Charlottenhofer Weiher nature reserve. By contrast, the Murner Lake Trail is a circular route around Lake Murner. A nature trail along the shore provides information about the landscape and cultural history, as well as the plants and animals of the surrounding area. These are two different options for planning a visit: a signposted cycling connection between two destinations and a circular route by the lake, with a nature trail covering topics related to the surrounding area.

The Wasser-Fisch-Natur adventure park is located in the immediate vicinity of Lake Murner. Its three ponds are used for nature observation and fish farming; the site is accessible year-round at any time of day or night. This makes it possible to combine a visit to the water with an interest in nature observation or fish farming.

Museums and guided visits

In Nabburg, the Upper Palatinate Open-Air Museum uses around 50 reconstructed buildings to show how people in the Upper Palatinate lived and worked over the past 300 years. In the town of Schwandorf, the Felsenkeller Labyrinth comprises more than 130 cellar sections. A connected area of around 60 rooms has been renovated and is open to the public on guided tours. The two attractions offer different focuses: the museum is dedicated to life and work in the region, while guided tours explore the labyrinth’s cellar complex.

You can enquire about dates for guided tours of the Felsenkeller Labyrinth at the Schwandorf Tourist Office, where you can also reserve tickets. Check the dates before your visit so that you can plan your stay accordingly.

Observatory and other attractions

The Dieterskirchen Stargazers regularly offer guided tours at the observatory. These include a planetarium show and, in clear weather, observations through the telescopes. At the EIXI adventure playground by Lake Eixendorf near Neunburg vorm Wald, there are swings, spring riders, a slide, a rocking boat and several climbing structures. The district also has specific options for visitors interested in the night sky or playground and climbing equipment.

The BAXI Museum Line 8402 operates in the Schwandorf district and provides transport to the Upper Palatinate Open-Air Museum. Check the route information before travelling. If you are looking for a hotel for a stay in the district, you can use the attractions mentioned as a guide when planning and compare the location of a specific accommodation with your plans.

Discover more destinations: Neukirchen-Balbini, Neunburg Vorm Wald, Wernberg-Köblitz, Schwandorf, Schönsee, Bruck In Der Oberpfalz, Oberviechtach, Pfreimd, Nittenau, Schwarzenfeld, Fensterbach, Teublitz, Bodenwöhr, Nabburg, Burglengenfeld, Wackersdorf, Schmidgaden, Trausnitz, Stulln, Altendorf, Maxhütte-Haidhof, Thanstein, Schwarzach

Back to the main travel overview: Bavaria.