The best traffic-free bike rides around Wonsees

Krögelstein is more than a picturesque village nestled between Dolomite rocks: high above the Kaiserbach once stood the castle of the Lords of Krögelstein. Their history dates back to the Middle Ages. In 1523, the rock castle was destroyed by the Swabian League. The large watchtower is said to have been blown up with four tons of gunpowder. Today, remnants of walls above the rocky gorge are a reminder of the vanished castle. The houses of the village nestle directly against the striking Dolomite rocks: the "Alten Fritz", the Schwedenfelsen, and the Löwenfelsen.

The Kaiserbachtal is a beautiful, quiet section of the Franconian Switzerland. The Kaiserbach stream winds through the meadow landscape under the wooded slopes and striking dolomite rocks.

it is the gateway to Franconian Switzerland, a very beautiful quiet valley

The Rote Main is the longer of the two headwaters of the Main river and significantly shapes the cityscape of Bayreuth. The river owes its name to the clay-rich soils of its catchment area. Especially after rainfall, reddish clay particles are washed into the water, giving it a characteristic reddish-brown color. It originates in the Lindenhardter Forst in the Franconian Switzerland, about 10 kilometers south of Bayreuth. At around 72 to 73 kilometers, it is significantly longer than the Weiße Main. Near Kulmbach (Schloss Steinenhausen), it merges with the Weiße Main to form the actual Main.

Here the trail continues down along the road towards Weismain

The Fränkische Gebirgsweg is a certified long-distance hiking trail that leads for approximately 428 kilometers through the most striking low mountain ranges of Franconia. It connects the Frankenwald, the Fichtelgebirge, and the Fränkische Schweiz all the way to the Nürnberger Land.

The lovely Kaiserbachtal between Krögelstein and Zedersitz is a popular destination, especially in summer. At other times of the year, you should ensure that it has not rained for at least a week before crossing the valley, as the meadow paths can become very marshy. The starting point of the tour is Kainach. At the village fountain in Kainach, turn into the Kaiserbachtal on the diagonally opposite side (Fränkischer Gebirgsweg). Follow this beautiful valley with its rocks on the right and left until shortly before Krögelstein. The village of Krögelstein with its impressive rocks, such as the "Alten Fritz" and the "Etagenhöhle", is worth a detour.

The Kaiserbach Valley is a picturesque dry valley in Franconian Switzerland, bordering the Kainach Valley near Hollfeld to the north. It is particularly popular with hikers seeking a tranquil, unspoiled atmosphere away from the more well-trodden tourist paths. Rock formations: The valley is characterized by striking dolomite cliffs. A highlight is the "Old Fritz," a rock face in which, with a little imagination, one can discern a face. The Swallow Stone Grotto and the Cow Church (a former cave) are also located in this area. In contrast to the wider Kainach Valley, the Kaiserbach Valley is narrower and often wooded, making it a cool retreat in summer. Historically, the region is known for its old weirs, which were once used to artificially irrigate the valley's meadows.