An outdoors day trip, scrambling through the Luisenburg Rock Labyrinth is just what you need after touring the amazing German cities.
Since I was a child, I’ve loved big rocks! Boulders and exposed bedrock have such a magical quality. Toss in the mystery of a labyrinth and you really can’t go wrong.
Luisenburg Rock Labyrinth is a park in northern Bavaria that brings out the child in everyone. A walking path takes you past, up and down, and through huge granite rocks, where you climb, squeeze through narrow passageways, and enjoy the fresh air.
A Perfect Walk Through the Woods at Luisenburg
In good German fashion, there are clearly marked routes, a blue path and a red path. The blue is the ascending path taking you eventually to the highest point in the park, 785 meters above sea level. The view you are treated to is breath-taking, and there is a small gazebo if you want to rest and have a cup of coffee from your thermos or even a small snack.
As you come back down (via the red trail) you can see many more rocks towering above and around you. These formations came about millions of years ago and the cracks and holes were filled with hot lava. Over the past millennia, then, weather and wind, eroded the rocks to the massive jumble you see today.
The walk takes about one and a half hours, and can be extended if you’d like into a full day of hiking and enjoying the great outdoors. The fairy tale nature of the rock formations, the light peeking through the trees, and the hidden clefts and crevices make this a very romantic and popular place.
People have been enjoying the Luisenburg Rock Labyrinth for many years. From 1790, the wealthy would make their way to the park, where they had to stoop to enter into this rocky world. This is something they never did, and it added to the green allure of the park.
In 1805 Dr. Johann Georg Schmidt took the area on as a personal project and started shaping the park into a landscape garden. After his death, his sons carried on, but at some point the wildness of the area is what most people were attracted to and other than the metal steps (for safety) and maintaining the paths, the park is left to nature.
Practical Information:
Cost: Because this is designed for families, there is a family cost of 9 Euros, or adults for 4 Euros, and children for 1.50 Euros.
Season and hours: The season begins at the end of March and goes sometime into the middle of November. Hours: 8:30 AM – 6:00 PM.
Getting there: Really the only way to get here is to drive. It is about 45 minutes north of Grafenwoehr and 2.5 hours north of Munich. Take the Marktredwitz-Nord exit 13 off A93 onto the B303 heading west for about 10 km.
Tips: Germany is often wet, and the path is dirt, so no matter what time of year, you are likely to encounter some mud. Wear sturdy walking shoes, and layer for warmth. There are a few places to stop and have a picnic, but nowhere inside the park to buy a snack. There is a lot of climbing, so don’t bring a stroller.
More outdoor things to do in Germany!
Bastei Bridge
PlayMobil Fun Park
Open Air Museums for Kids
Lake Königsee
Saalburg Roman Fortress
Boat Ride to Weltenburg Abbey
Wouldn’t you like to release your inner kid and hike and climb all over the Luisenburg Rock Labyrinth?
Author Bio: Corinne Vail is a travel photographer, food lover, and a perpetual traveler who has been travel writing for over 14 years. For many years she lived overseas in Germany, Japan, Turkey, South Korea, and the Netherlands teaching the children of the US. military. She’s visited over 90 countries, and she’s not stopping anytime soon.
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Baskets Life Travel
Monday 6th of March 2017
Well this looks like an amazing day - and most I love the shots of all those mushroom! They just look so cute! Thanks for sharing !
Corinne Vail
Tuesday 7th of March 2017
Stacey, It's a fun place if you happen to be in the vicinity!
Elisa Subirats
Monday 6th of March 2017
what a beautiful place to hike! and your pictures only add more magic to your descriptions. so sad to read it is that far from Munich, it could be the perfect complement to a long WE in the capital of Bavaria
Corinne Vail
Monday 6th of March 2017
Elisa, Yes, it's a bit far from Munich, but maybe a longer stay up north, combined with Dresden or Karlovy Vary in Czech?
Dang Travelers
Monday 6th of March 2017
I never heard of this area before, but it looks gorgeous. What a great way to spend your time...hiking through nature. It sounds like a magical place, thanks for sharing!
Corinne Vail
Monday 6th of March 2017
It was magical, and it's so nice to discover places like this when traveling!
MakeTime2SeeTheWorld (@VickiLouise86)
Monday 6th of March 2017
I love a labyrinth too! Its so much fun to explore amongst the rocks and boulders!
Corinne Vail
Monday 6th of March 2017
Vicki, The labyrinth name just comes from winding in and out of rock paths and through passages...a natural one.
Sandy N Vyjay
Monday 6th of March 2017
The photographs are mind blowing. You didn't just capture your surroundings, you captured the serenity it carried and the peace that it radiated. The colors of trees red yellow and green, it looks jaw droppingly beautiful
Corinne Vail
Monday 6th of March 2017
Sandy, Aw, you made my day. Thank you!