Von Burg zu Burg

The starting point is the Oberes Tor in Hollfeld. From here, the "Blauer Punkt" (blue dot) markings lead via Niklasengasse to Weiher. On the outskirts of Weiher, leave the small baroque castle on the left. On the Jura Heath, you walk past Neidenstein with the ruins of the same name. Continue along the castle trail to Freienfels. On a detour into the village, you can see the two-winged castle complex from afar, which was built by the von Aufseß family.

Back on the castle trail, you now head towards Wiesentfels with its defiant castle on a steep cliff. After Wiesentfels, the path leads through a wooded area. After crossing a larger road, you reach a valley, at the edge of which you can see the large and small Teufelsloch. The remains of an old castle (Torschwippbogen) can be seen in the rocky village of Krögelstein. Also worth seeing is the former castle chapel, now a parish church.

Following the „blue dot“ markings, you reach a hill in the direction of Wonsees with a view of Zwernitz Castle. If you want to extend the trail, you can take a detour to Sanspareil from here via Wonsees (yellow dot). You then have the opportunity to admire the beautiful rock garden of Wilhelmine von Bayreuth or visit the hunting museum in Zwernitz Castle.

Back in Wonsees, you can take the Rückweg via Schlützmühle to Kainach (green diamond). Alternatively, you can take the Rückweg without this path extension and follow the „blue dot“ markings to Kainach (there is also a small castle here). Through the natural Kainach valley you return to Hollfeld. Here, the chestnut-lined Marienplatz square on the former castle hill offers a beautiful end to the hike.

The castles are privately owned, Wiesentfels Castle and Freienfels Castle can be visited at weekends during the summer months. Please enquire about the dates at the Hollfeld tourist information office.

Marker: Blue dot
Refreshment stops: Freienfels, Hollfeld. If longer: Wonsees, Sanspareil
Places of interest: Castles and palaces along the way, rock formations, Hollfeld old town
Further information: www.noerdliche-fraenkische.de

Excursions:
a) In Freienfels, pass the castle and then follow the yellow triangle via Neidenstein back to Weiher.
b) From Krögelstein through the Kaiserbach valley towards Kainach (marked „Fränkischer Gebirgsweg“)

Extension:
From the Hochfläche to Krögelstein üvia Wonsees, Sanspareil, Wonsees, Schlötzmühle, Kainach (markings "yellow dot" and "grüne Raute")