Easy hikes and walks in Landkreis Neustadt an der Waldnaab

Burgstall Rauhenkulm There are no reliable sources regarding the origin of the high medieval castle. Although the deed of foundation of the Benedictine monastery Michelfeld from 1119 states that Bucco de Culmen of Leuchtenberg had a residence on one of the two Kulms. He would thus be the first scientifically documented lord of the castle. However, it is unclear whether Rauhe Kulm or Kleine Kulm is meant. It is conceivable, but unlikely, that it was a building in the village of Kulmain. Excavations have brought shards, arrowheads, crosses, and coins from this period to light. According to Losert, the construction of the Rauher Kulm rampart was part of Emperor Otto I the Great's strategy to contain the impending danger from the Hungarians. Sandstone, timber framing, and bricks were used in the construction of the castle around 950. In addition to military use, the castle was also inhabited by women and children, as evidenced by various finds, including several spindle whorls, a weaving sword, and a large iron knife. Burgrave Friedrich III of Nuremberg acquired the castle, including the associated places, from the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg in 1281. The former tower was part of the margravial signaling system. During the Second Margravial War under Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades, the castle, as well as the Schlechtenkulm castle on Kleine Kulm, was destroyed in 1554. Before the destruction, both castles were besieged for about a year by troops from the imperial cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Bavaria under the command of the electoral district administrator Hans Umseher von Waldeck, and the inhabitants were starved. The fortress commander von Heydenab surrendered the fortress on Rauhen Kulm on June 28, 1554. Afterwards, it was blown up with screws, the triple walls were razed and destroyed. Stones from the medieval ramparts of both castle sites were later used in part to reinforce the city walls of Neustadt. Today, only traces of the terrain are visible of the Burgstall Rauhenkulm. Remains of the surrounding rampart and the location of the tower in close proximity to the current observation tower are recognizable. The cartographer Johann Christoph Stierlein created the first very accurate topographical map of the mountain with the ruin. Source: www.wikipedia.de

There are no reliable sources on the origin of the high medieval castle. Although the foundation charter of the Benedictine monastery of Michelfeld from 1119 states that Bucco de Culmen of Leuchtenberg had a residence on one of the two Kulms. He would thus be the first scientifically documented castle lord. However, it is unclear whether the Rauhe Kulm or the Kleine Kulm is meant. It is conceivable, but unlikely, that it was a building in the village of Kulmain. Excavations have brought to light shards, arrowheads, crosses, and coins from this period. According to Losert, the construction of the Rauher Kulm fortification was part of the strategy of Emperor Otto I the Great, who wanted to contain the approaching danger from the Hungarians. Sandstone, half-timbering, and bricks were used in the construction of the castle around 950. In addition to military use, the castle was also inhabited by women and children, as evidenced by various finds, including several spindle whorls, a small weaving sword, and a large iron knife. Burgrave Frederick III of Nuremberg acquired the castle, including the associated places, from the Landgraves of Leuchtenberg in 1281. The former tower was part of the margravial signaling system. During the Second Margraves' War under Margrave Albrecht Alcibiades, the castle, as well as the Schlechtenkulm castle on the Kleine Kulm, was destroyed in 1554. Before the destruction, both castles were besieged for about a year by troops from the imperial cities of Nuremberg, Bamberg, Würzburg, and Bavaria, under the leadership of the electoral landrichter Hans Umseher von Waldeck, and the inhabitants were starved. The fortress commander Heydenab surrendered the fortress on the Rauhen Kulm on June 28, 1554. Subsequently, it was blown up with screws, the triple walls were razed and destroyed. For the reinforcement of the city walls of Neustadt, stones from the medieval ramparts of both castle sites were later used in part. Today, only traces of the terrain are visible from the Rauhenkulm castle site. Remains of the surrounding wall and the location of the tower are recognizable in the immediate vicinity of the current observation tower. The cartographer Johann Christoph Stierlein created the first very accurate topographical map of the mountain with the ruin. Source: www.wikipedia.de

Wooden birdwatching hut overlooking the water surface. From up here you can observe the wildlife. Bat boxes have been attached to the outside of the hut by the local youth forestry group. Useful souvenir: binoculars. 🦅🦆🦢

Wooden birdwatching hut overlooking the Obersee. Here you can discover the pond with its animals and plants or take a short break. Useful to bring: binoculars and bird identification book/app. 🦆🦅🦢

Directly at the parking lot, there is a stamp station from Bayern Entdecker. In a foldable wooden box, you will find stamp cards, a stamp pad, and the stamp. Nice idea for hikers and nature explorers. Whoever collects 5 different stamps and sends in the pass can participate in a prize draw and win a vacation.

Boathouses at Rußweiher are privately owned - they can be admired by everyone when boating, walking or cycling.

Restaurant & Infocenter directly at the campsite by the small Rußweiher. The restaurant offers a beautiful view of the swimming lake when the weather is nice. It is particularly beautiful on the terrace. Good dishes are available here at fair prices. Below the restaurant, there is a well-maintained playground.

The small Rußweiher is Bavaria's largest moorland lido. Here everyone will find the right activity, from swimming, pedal boating, Stand Up paddling, playing volleyball, fishing to ice stock sport and ice skating in winter. In summer, a trampoline is also available. Various events also take place here all year round. The prices for admission and boat rental are fair.