The best running trails around Plankenfels

The partially well-preserved water weirs bear witness to the irrigation of the Lochautal meadows practiced until the 1950s.

Anyone who follows the gentle murmur of the water on the riverbank opposite the Nankendorfer Mühle will discover a charming piece of history at the foot of the steep Lochberg wall: the Schatzbrunnen. This beautifully restored sandstone fountain was far more than just decoration in previous centuries – it served the people of Nankendorf as a vital source of drinking water. In 2009, the village community revived the historic structure from its slumber through joint effort. A special tip for spring holidaymakers: At Easter, the fountain is magnificently decorated according to old Franconian tradition with hand-tied garlands and hundreds of colourful Easter eggs. The mysterious name of the fountain also connects to the mystical world of legends in the valley. Just a short distance upstream lies the "Schatzlache" – a deep body of water from which, according to old chronicles, a green-haired nixie rose on stormy nights to guard a brightly shining gold treasure hidden at the bottom from the eyes of curious hikers. A wonderful, history-rich stopover right by the wayside, inviting you to take photos and dream.

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.

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.

It is pointless to speculate which of the numerous saints venerated in the Catholic (and partly also in the Protestant) Church holds the highest place in the hearts of children: Is it Saint Martin (Bishop of Tours), under whose venerable patronage this church is placed, who served as a soldier in the Roman army before his calling; and whose generous sharing of his cloak with the poor beggar is still commemorated today in lantern processions on his feast day (November 11). Or perhaps it is rather Saint Nicholas (Bishop of Myra), who, as is well known, bestows gifts upon good children during the Advent season on the eve of his feast day (December 6).

The present-day Baroque church of St. Martinus in Nankendorf was built between 1746 and 1748, and its 42-meter-high steeple towers over the small village. It is no longer possible to say with certainty how many church buildings stood in Nankendorf before this time. However, the parish of Nankendorf is one of the oldest in Upper Franconia and existed even before the founding of the Diocese of Bamberg in 1007. The patron saint of the parish church is St. Martin (Martinus). St. James was added as a second patron saint later. The highlight of the liturgical year is the "Perpetual Adoration" at the end of the year, followed by a candlelight procession. Bengal lights, wax candles, and wood fires illuminate the surrounding slopes and rocks. The houses are decorated with candles, and the waters of the Wiesent River are lit.

The Bayreuth–Hollfeld railway line was a branch line. It branched off the Schnabelwaid–Bayreuth railway line at the Kreuzstein junction in Bayreuth and led to Hollfeld in northern Franconian Switzerland.

The old water supply in Nankendorf was renovated in 2009.