Edelmann-Ringweg Kulmbach

We start our extensive hike around Kulmbach at the Pavilion on Rehberg in the east of the town. We hike eastward into the forest, take the nature trail branching off half-left, and follow it along the northern slope of the Rehberg. Along its slope, the path now leads us south. Ignoring all side trails, we come to an intersection, turn left here, and then keep right. On the left is the steeply falling slope of the Richtersleite. However, our path does not descend along it but describes a right curve at constant elevation. Finally, we follow our path half-left downwards to a clearing, where we can already see the hamlet of Stephansreuth. Via Stephansreuth, we hike to Leithen, which lies below us in the valley of the Kohlenbach, circle the small village and follow the road heading northeast into the Kulmacher Forest. At a right bend, we leave the wide path to walk along a narrower path high on the slope. To the right lie the slopes descending into the Kohlenbach valley from Höllgraben and Sommerrangen. After about 3 km, we reach a T-junction and follow the path straight ahead. Before that, a detour left to Plassenburg is possible. Our forest path now describes a right curve and runs along the northern slope of the Kulmbach Forest. Always following the path through the dense greenery of the trees, we reach the abandoned Buchhaus farm, cross the White Main there and orient ourselves along the railway line to the left. Right over the B289, we reach the village of Kauernburg, climb upwards on Aichinger Weg and walk along a row of trees northwards into the forest. We initially ignore all side paths, then descend left into the Teufelsgraben north of Grundhaus and encounter the road from Kauernburg to Gumpersdorf. After crossing it, a wide path leads us in a sharp left bend to Eggenreuth, where we turn left and shortly afterwards right. After a few meters, the path goes half-left over a field path toward a woodland. We orient ourselves along the left forest edge and thus arrive at Oberpurbach. We leave the village heading southeast and enter the forest again. We follow the wide path we come across to the right to a T-junction, keep left there, and after a little more than 100 m, turn right at a signpost. We soon leave the wide path again to the left and now hike westward, always above the Dreibrunnenbach. Across a wide path, we reach Ziegelhütten and descend through the village into a small stream valley. Here we cross the B85 before hiking out into the fields on the street “Am Gründlein.” Soon we reach the Heinzelsbach, follow it briefly to the left, and then climb left up to Petzmannsberg. There, turning right and at the next opportunity left, we reach Burghaig, which we cross via Petzmannsberger Straße, Lindenstraße, and Schulstraße. We leave the village via Seidenhofer Straße and Burghaiger Friedhofsweg and hike along the path branching off left before the cemetery past fishponds to Seidenhof. Keeping left here, we cross the village heading south and hike left past the Mainau recreation area. At a bathing spot, we can refresh ourselves before continuing to Melkendorf, passing right by the church and over disused railway tracks. Finally, we leave Melkendorf on Mangersreuther Straße, which takes us to the village of the same name. We cross Mangersreuth straight east and hike behind the last houses to the right over Plosenberg into the valley of the Kinzelbach. Following the Kinzelbach on the right and climbing through Lindlesgraben, we pass a wide path and reach a second one, where we turn left. However, we leave this path again soon to continue ascending along the Kesselleite to the right. On the right, we meet our route from the outbound journey again and hike on the familiar path back to the Pavilion on Rehberg. Those who wish can use a forest path that branches off left earlier instead of the nature trail to return over the ridge of the Rehberg. This way, you pass the Rehturm, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view.