Hiking with Waldwichtel - enjoy with the Windbeutelfürst

Take the on-call bus from Ludwigsstadt railway station to the Oberes Dorf stop in Lauenstein. Here you will find the car park for hikers, which is also the starting point for the hike along the fairytale trail. The hiking trail is marked with the sign of the little forest gnome.

Under the sign of the forest gnome, the Lauenstein fairytale trail takes you on a magical hike from fairytale to fairytale. They all originate from the region around Lauenstein Castle. Information boards tell you about the legendary and wondrous things that once happened here. There are also adventure sites such as the eavesdropping corner and the forest instruments. And of course there are marvellous views of Lauenstein Castle and the surrounding area along the way. But it's not just fairy tales that await hikers; the tour is also enriched by interesting facts about the plant world, especially the tree species that grow here.

The initiative for the creation of the trail came from the Franconian Forest Nature Park, the town of Ludwigsstadt, the Lauenstein Castle confectionery and the Kulmbach Office for Food, Agriculture and Forestry. The 5.7-kilometre circular trail first leads through the forest and later through fields back to Lauenstein.

After this eventful hike, you may be really hungry and want to fortify yourself first. In this case, it is a good idea to walk directly from the hiking trail to Café Bauer, which is only a few minutes away from the hiking car park. Don't forget to order your on-call bus for the return journey.

The Café der Confiserie Bauer is also known as the Windbeutelfürsten. Here, guests can enjoy a delicious XXL cream puff if they wish. Of course, visitors can enjoy more than just confectionery here; the menu also includes a selection of hearty snacks.

Confiserie Bauer has been producing delicious chocolates in Lauenstein for over 100 years. It all began in 1914 when Hermann and Amalie Bauer, the great-grandparents of the current owner, baked delicious bread and rolls in a stone oven in the cellar of their house in Lauenstein during the barren times of the war. Their Franconian forest bread soon became popular and sought-after far and wide.

One of the sons, Ludwig Bauer, added buildings in 1930 and opened a grocery shop. At the same time, he converted existing farm buildings into additional bakeries. The family's confectionery business flourished. Robert Bauer, the father of the current owner Andreas Bauer, expanded the range, opened the café and even a disco and started producing chocolates in 1979. The little treats from Lauenstein are very popular throughout Germany. Andreas Bauer has been running the business since 2016.

At the company site in Lauenstein, visitors have the opportunity to gain a small insight into praline production and purchase chocolates in the factory shop. The café is an inviting place to rest and recharge after a tour of the castle or a hike along the fairytale trail.

Freshly fortified, we head up to the legendary Lauenstein Castle, a climb of just a few minutes that is well worth the effort.

It is popularly known as Mantelburg, the northernmost castle in Bavaria. According to legend, Lauenstein Castle was only built after King Konrad I tore his royal cloak, twisted the strips into a rope and used this rope to create a circle around the mountain peak on which he built his castle. Konrad died in the 10th century. It is unlikely that he was actually the builder and lord of the castle here. The oldest parts of the castle date back to the 12th century. In the following eras, the castle was owned by the Counts of Dießen-Andechs and the Orlamünde family, and in the 15th century also by the Hohenzollern family.

In 1896, the private citizen Ehrhard Meßmer acquired the building, which was in need of renovation. Messmer had the castle completely renovated by the architects Gustav Wolff and Theodor Lehmann, who endeavoured to approximate the original historical state while carefully incorporating modern designs, e.g. Art Nouveau elements.

The castle was initially run as a hotel and hosted such famous guests as Joachim Ringelnatz and later Theodor Heuss.

During the First World War, the Lauenstein Conferences were held here, where scientists and artists came together to discuss the future of the country after the war.

The castle now belongs to the Free State of Bavaria. Twenty rooms of the castle now house an extensive museum, which displays preserved furniture, paintings, weapons and armour, providing an impressive insight into medieval life.

Visits are only possible with guided tours, which take place at regular intervals throughout the opening hours so that there are no waiting times.

It is only 350 metres from the castle to the bus stop. It will take you safely and full of experiences to Ludwigsstadt railway station and your train home.