The best cycling routes around Aufseß

The whole valley is very scenic

Definitely worth seeing, good places to stop for refreshments

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.

In the heart of Waischenfeld, a stone's throw from the historic Wiesent bridge, at Marktplatz 3 you'll find a true monument of Franconian milling history: the Wehrl city mill. The impressive structure captivates visitors primarily with its technical masterpiece – the mill houses one of the largest undershot water wheels in the entire Franconian Switzerland, which turns tirelessly and loudly in the waters of the Wiesent. The history of the house is inextricably linked to the Wehrl family, in whose proud possession the estate has been since 1698. Even a fire disaster in 1948, which destroyed the building down to its foundations, could not break the tradition: already the following year, the mill was rebuilt in its current, stately form. After grain from the surrounding area was diligently milled here until 2007, the historic water power today serves clean electricity generation for the region. An absolutely photogenic stop on any city tour, perfectly combining history and modernity.

Anyone who follows the Wiesent downstream from the historic Eichenmühle mill experiences one of the most untouched and picturesque sections of the entire valley. This section of the trail combines spectacular geology, centuries-old cultural history, and a vibrant river ecosystem in a confined space and is best explored on foot or by bike on the paved, natural farm track. The adventure begins directly below the old mill property at the Truppach confluence. Here, the upper Wiesent valley celebrates a small, quiet river spectacle when the Truppach, coming from the direction of Obernsees, joins from the left. Framed by dense alder stands and willows, the confluence area has an almost enchanted atmosphere. Looking back from the small Truppach bridge, you are offered a fantastic panorama: in the foreground, the water merges, while in the background, the historic half-timbered mill and the imposing dolomite walls rise up. Continuing along the river course in the shade of these mighty, bright rock formations, you reach the historic river weir on the Wiesent. Where the water now gently babbles over the barrier, the economic heart of the valley once beat. For centuries, the weir regulated the water level for the so-called "Wässerwiesen" – a sophisticated irrigation system that is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. At the same time, the facility was used for fishing, which is reflected in the name of the subsequent hamlet, Aalkorb. The designation, over a thousand years old, goes back to wooden fish traps that were hung in the flowing Wiesent at precisely these weirs. Today, the former barrier has been ecologically redesigned so that rare fish species such as the brown trout can once again easily pass the obstacle on their migrations. Behind the weir, the valley widens slightly, and the path leads along striking, vertical climbing rocks directly into the elongated district of Waischenfeld, Nankendorf. Here, the Wiesent flows quietly and peacefully through the village, past old willows, and invites you to stop for a well-deserved refreshment after an eventful passage through nature.

A particularly charming place, both scenically and geographically, in the northern part of Franconian Switzerland is the Eichenmühle, an idyllic estate in the municipality of Plankenfels. The historic property owes its very special significance to its striking location in the region's river system: directly below the mill, the nearly seven-kilometer-long Truppach, coming from Obernsees, flows into the Wiesent, which flows south there, from the left. Nestled in a wide valley bordered by wooded slopes and striking rock formations, the Eichenmühle once used the water power at this distinctive junction as a classic grain mill. Today, the historically rich site, which is reached via a short side road from the main road, is a perfect orientation and resting point for nature enthusiasts. It is located directly on popular hiking and cycling routes – such as the well-known tour “Truppach meets Wiesent” – and makes the gentle, water-rich river landscape of the Franconian natural scenery perfectly experienceable for excursionists.

An absolute highlight for history and photography enthusiasts in the Wiesenttal is the historic mill in the Nankendorf district of Waischenfeld. First documented in 1539, the striking building is one of the oldest architectural monuments in Franconian Switzerland. The current appearance as a long sandstone and half-timbered building with a hipped roof essentially dates back to 1800 and has been proudly owned by the Sebald family for centuries. Anyone standing on the idyllic riverbank today can admire the impressive undershot water wheel, which until 1992 still ground grain and today generates environmentally friendly green electricity. A closer look at the southern corner of the house also reveals historical flood marks, testifying to the dramatic water levels of past times. After extensive renovation in recent years, the owner family plans to make the fascinating historical mill technology inside accessible to the public in the long term as a small mill museum, making the place a perfect stopover on any discovery tour.

The marketplace of Waischenfeld, officially named Bischof-Nausea-Platz today, forms the historical and social heart of the state-recognized climatic health resort in the Wiesenttal valley. Characterized by well-preserved Franconian half-timbered houses, the area reflects over 700 years of town history. The square extends across the valley floor directly below the striking Jura cliffs and the medieval Waischenfeld Castle with its famous round tower, the "Steinerner Beutel". As a central hub, it houses important municipal facilities such as the town hall and the tourist information office in the historic Baderhaus, and also serves as a backdrop for traditional markets and town festivals. Furthermore, the square functions as an ideal starting point for the historical city tour and the short panorama trail.