Hilpoltstein Lock Path and Castle Ruins

Start: The circular walk begins at the car park by the municipal swimming pool on Badstraße in Hilpoltstein. There are plenty of free parking spaces available along the road right up to the sports ground at the end.

Marking: Schleusenweg 4

(S/E) We walk along Badstraße out of town (past the swimming pool and the town hall towards the west). At the sports grounds on the right-hand side, the road is then closed to cars.

(1) On the left-hand side is a basketball court and a skate park (marked Schleusenweg 4). We follow the path straight on to Auhof.

(2) The Auhof is a small district of Hilpoltstein; it is home to a facility run by the Rummelsberger Diakonie for children, young people and adults with intellectual or mental health disabilities. The facility runs an educational farm, which is open to visitors.

Right at the junction in front of the first buildings of the Auhof, we turn left and, after the last houses, turn right onto the street Am Lohbach. We keep slightly to the left and continue along the fence above the RDM Canal.

(3) At the next junction, we carry on straight ahead, keeping to the short wooden fence on the right-hand side. The path veers slightly away from the canal and continues past the edge of the woodland. About 600 metres further on, we come to a tarmac road leading off to the left towards the Hilpoltstein lock.

(4) It’s worth taking a detour to the huge lock. The RDM Canal is usually quite busy. If you like, you can wait a little while to watch a boat pass through. We return to the junction via the same path; here, we turn left and then left again. The path leads across meadows and fields. After about 400 m, the path curves to the right and heads towards the village of Grauwinkl.

(5) About 100 m before the first building, we turn right and continue straight on along the path. After a gentle right-hand bend, we arrive back at the wooden bridge over the canal.

(3) We cross this and keep to the left immediately afterwards. We walk slightly uphill past the edge of the wood, cross the junction straight ahead and turn left at the T-junction.

(6) The dirt track takes us north of the village of Solar, where a manor house already stood in 1109. At the junction at the entrance to the village, we turn right and continue across the fields. After a gentle left-hand bend, we turn right at the crossroads.

(7) After a short climb past some fruit trees, the path turns left into the Froschweiher nature reserve; the path narrows and takes us past the Froschweiher on the right. Here, the forest is allowed to grow as it pleases – without human intervention.

(8) We walk along the narrow path to the right of the Froschweiher and reach the edge of the woodland. At the fork a little further on, we turn right. At the end of the woodland, on the left-hand side, the path curves to the right and circles round the sports grounds (football pitches) of TV 1879 Hilpoltstein, curving to the left as it does so. At the end of the path, we come to Badstraße, where we turn left.

We walk past the sports pitches and the town hall on the left, then past the outdoor swimming pool on the right.

(S/E) It’s worth not getting straight back into the car at the car park, but instead taking a short detour to the castle ruins. To do this, we continue straight on from the car park along Badstraße to the end, then turn left onto Johann-Friedrich-Straße. Before the first house on the left, we turn into the street Hinterm Schloss and follow its course.

(9) Just past the castle complex, we turn right and walk through the gate into the inner courtyard of the ruins. Hilpoltstein Castle dates back to the 11th century and can be visited free of charge during opening hours.

(S/E) We return along the same route through the gate, then turn left twice. Via Hinterm Schloss, we turn right onto Johann-Friedrich-Straße, then right again onto Badstraße, where our starting point is located.

Apart from a few sections, the circular route follows well-maintained, gravel or tarmac paths. Only a few sections involve walking along simple farm tracks or across a meadow. Overall, there are hardly any inclines, making the walk suitable even for less experienced walkers. At the wooden fence (waypoint 3), the walk can be shortened to about half the distance.

Equipment

• The walk can be completed in dry weather with comfortable shoes. In wet, icy or snowy conditions, the sections through natural terrain can become somewhat slippery.
• Apart from the start/finish point, there are no places to stop for refreshments along the circular route. If you’re planning to have a bite to eat, you should pack a small snack or a picnic in your rucksack.
• The circular route runs almost entirely through meadows and fields. In hot weather, it is important to bring plenty of drinks and good sun protection.
• The paths are also suitable for all-terrain prams and pushchairs. (The short sections across meadows can be a little bumpy.)
• Dogs must be kept on a lead within the nature reserve.

Auhof Experience Farm
This complex, which spans an entire district, is home to one of the Diakonie Rummelsberg’s largest centres for people with disabilities. The adventure farm is a real must-visit for everyone – not just families with children. For more information, visit http://erlebnisbauernhof.rummelsberger-d...

Hilpoltstein Castle Ruins
Hilpoltstein Castle dates back to the 11th century and enjoyed its heyday under the rule of the Lords of Stein in the 13th and 14th centuries. Countess Palatine Dorothea Maria was largely responsible for its current appearance. The complex’s last resident initiated an extensive refurbishment that has shaped its current appearance. (Free entry; opening hours at https://www.hilpoltstein.de/sehenswertes...)

Hilpoltstein Old Town
Numerous historic half-timbered houses surround the market square and the Old Town. The town of Hilpoltstein has marked out a circular route through the town (City Wall Walk), which takes in the finest sights.