From the castle ruins to the Bing Cave in Streitberg

(S/E) The circular walk starts at the car park on Dorfstraße in Streitberg (just past the Wiesent on the right-hand side). 

Public transport

It’s a very special experience to travel here on the museum railway – the old steam train – from Ebermannstadt or Behringersmühle (see below for details).

From the car park on Dorfstraße, we walk back across the Wiesent bridge towards the main road, which we cross, then immediately turn right into the street ‘Am Bürgerhaus’ diagonally to the left opposite. We walk past the Bürgerhaus on our right until we reach Streitberger Straße. Here, we continue straight ahead, slightly to the left, towards the village square. 

Behind the Schwarzer Adler inn, we turn left straight away and then follow the footpath straight on through the houses on the outskirts of the village into the woods. After about 100 metres, we come to a junction where we turn left and, after a few metres, immediately right again (signposted ‘Frankenweg Part 4’).

We follow the markings along the slope, turning left at a small T-junction. From here, tall rocks flank the path, eventually merging into a rock arch through which the footpath passes.

(1) Just about 50 metres further on, it’s worth taking a short detour to the left to a viewpoint (Schönblick), which offers a wonderful view of the Wiesent Valley.

(2) We then follow the footpath further along the slope until it meets a wider path. We turn right (signposted ‘Frankenweg Part 4’) through the woods. At a fork, we keep to the right.

A good 100 metres further on, the footpath turns right. We continue straight ahead along this short side path to the Prinz-Ruprecht Pavilion, which also offers a fantastic view.

(3) We then walk back the short distance and turn left. After a sharp left-hand bend, the path winds its way down the slope in a zigzag pattern. At the fork, we turn left, then continue straight on along the slope (signposted: Heinrich-Uhl-Weg).

About 100 metres further on, we carry on straight ahead and, after a short distance, come to the entrance to the Binghöhle.
If you do not wish to visit the cave, you can continue straight ahead along the path.

(4) Otherwise, we walk through the passages of the legendary stalactite cave underground to theexit, where we rejoin the path. 

(5) (Tip: A short way to the right is a rock pinnacle (6) with a wonderful view.)

Once back on the path, we keep to the left. The footpath leads us a short way further through the woods, curves to the right just beyond the edge of the woods and joins a tarmac road, where the small car park for the Binghöhle is situated. We turn left and follow the sign for Oberjägermarter back into the woods. After a sweeping right-hand bend, we come to a junction at the edge of the woods, where we turn right and then continue straight on through the woods.

Once past the buildings at the edge of the woodland, we turn right onto the road and then keep to the left. The path leads us straight to the ruins ofStreitburg Castle, which offers a breathtaking view high above the Wiesent Valley. 

(7) After exploring, we head back through the entrance gate and keep going straight on along the road (slightly to the left) until we reach Schauertal Road, past the houses behind a left-hand bend. Here we turn right. Directly behind the house at the back, a narrow path veers sharply left into the woods (if you reach the car park, you’ve gone too far). 

(8) The footpath leads down the slope alongside the Wedenbach, which has formed a small waterfall and sinter terraces here. We follow the path (marked ‘Frankenweg Part 4’), cross the Wedenbach and then come to a wider path. Here we turn right and follow the Frankenweg Part 4 to a T-junction in the woods. 

There, we leave this route and turn left. The path leads us out of the woods via the Höhlenweg into Streitberg. We arrive at the village square, where there are also a few parking spaces. There, we keep to the right and reach the street called Streitberger Berg. There , we continue diagonally across the road into the street called Am Bürgerhaus. 

At the end of this, we come to the B470. Here, we keep slightly to the left, cross the main road and then turn immediately right onto Dorfstraße.

After crossing the Wiesent, the car park on the left-hand side – where we started – comes into view. (S/E)

Extension: If you’d like to visit the Neideck ruins, carry on straight ahead for a short distance and then turn left (the ruins are signposted from here). The route is just over 1 km.

Alternative starting points:

• Village square car park (paid parking)
• Car park at the exit of the Bing Cave (right at the end of Schauertal road, at the top of the hill)
• Commuter car park at the corner of the B470 andAm Bürgerhaus (April 2025: temporarily closed)
• Car park at the outdoor swimming pool

Dampflock Museum Railway

You can also reach Streitberg on the historic steam train from Ebermannstadt or Behringersmühle. Whilst the tickets aren’t exactly cheap, the journey is an absolute treat. (Information and tickets at https://www.dampfbahn.net/)

Equipment

• Although much of the circular route follows well-maintained paths, there are sections where sure-footedness and sturdy footwear are required.
• The walk is also suitable for hot summer days, as there is plenty of shade in the many wooded sections. However, you’ll be exposed to the full force of the sun at the ruins.
• Make sure to pack plenty of drinks. It’s also a good idea to bring a snack for along the way.
• If you’re visiting the Bing Cave in warm weather, be sure to take a thick jumper or a jacket with you, as temperatures inside the cave are consistently below 10 degrees. 

Streitburg

Perched on a rocky outcrop, the former castle complex overlooks the village of the same name, offering a magnificent view of the Wiesent Valley. It was probably built around 1100 by the Lords of Streitberg. It was destroyed and rebuilt several times before finally coming into the possession of the Free State of Bavaria in 1803. The Free State sold the complex to the municipality of Streitberg, which used it as a quarry and stripped it almost entirely. The ruins are freely accessible. (Address: Streitburg 5, 91346 Wiesenttal)

Bing Cave

The Bing Cave was discovered in 1905 by its namesake, Ignaz Bing, a Nuremberg-based toy manufacturer, and opened to the public. On a guided tour through the caverns carved out by a river, visitors can explore the fabulous stalactite and stalagmite formations. Further information at https://www.binghoehle.de/ (Address: Schauertal, OT Streitberg, 91346 Wiesenttal)

Nearby

A short walk from the car park are the ruins of Neideck Castle, which are also well worth a visit. The ruins are freely accessible. (Further information at http://www.neideck.de/)

Food and drink

There are a few restaurants in Streitberg.

• Restaurant Saloniki, Bahnhofstr. 14
• Streitberg snack bar ‘Heiße Hütte’, Bahnhofstr. 1
• Hotel & Restaurant Schwarzer Adler, Dorfplatz 7
• 1-Meter-Blitz-Pizza (takeaway), Streitberger Berg 8