FrankenwaldSteigla Ködeltour

We start our hike at the historic Steinwiesen train station, right next to the Nature Park Information Center. Behind the building, we cross the railway tracks and follow Lagerhausstraße to the right for about 200 meters. Here we turn left onto the path up to Rollenberg and reach the main trail at the top, which we follow to the right, leaving the Rollberghütte on the left. We keep right downhill until we reach the edge of Steinwiesen at the Rodach river on an asphalted road. We follow the Rodach to the right and cross the river after about 200 meters over a small wooden bridge.

Past the Aparthotel parking lot, we walk toward the Oberes Rodachtal Tourist House, where competent and friendly staff can provide further hiking information. Then we cross the street and reach the entrance to the beautiful Leitsch Valley. We follow the street about 300 meters and then can switch to the pedestrian and bike path. At the grill and rest area, we cross the Leitsch to the right and continue uphill along a shady path.

Initially gently ascending, the path becomes steeper until after about 2 kilometers we reach a height and turn left onto a gravel forest road. We follow the road about 2 km, accompanied by repeatedly changing views into the Leitsch Valley and enjoy the shady spruce forest. At first, it goes downhill for a short stretch, then in a steep left curve, we leave the path to the right to ascend on a meadow road towards Nurn. We follow this short, steep path up to the next ridge and reach Nurn across an open field.

In the village, we hike left past the chapel and follow the street until we come downhill on a right curve past the nicely landscaped village park. We turn left onto the main village road and leave the street in a steep left curve to the right. Leaving the cemetery on the right, we head toward the Ködeltalsperre. On the ridge, we enjoy the impressive view of the Frankenwald.

We follow the paved road about 200 meters and then turn left onto a gravel path. After a short time, we turn right onto a field path and again enjoy a beautiful view of the Frankenwald and our next destination, the Ködeltalsperre. The field path takes us downhill into the forest, where we turn left at the bee house. From there a steep path goes downhill. Some steps ease the descent. At the bottom, we reach the main dam of the Ködeltalsperre.

The Mauthaus drinking water reservoir is the largest water management facility in northern Bavaria and supplies the Upper Franconian population up to Bamberg with drinking water. Because the reservoir is fed by the Tschirner, the Nordhalbener, and finally the Nurner Ködel, it is better known as the "Ködeltalsperre." From our location, we have a wonderful view of the fjord. We cross the main dam until at its end we turn right onto a path into the forest, which we follow in switchbacks downhill. 

We briefly follow the road to the right to soon hike up a very steep forest road again. Arriving at the top (approx. 800 m), we turn left onto another forest road and enjoy the openness that the forest opens up at certain points. We continue on the forest road for about 2 km until we turn right. Initially a very steep natural path, later a gravel path leads us toward the Nurner heights.