Nordwaldkammweg Tour 1 Hochstein - Schöneben

The Nordwaldkammweg is marked from Hochstein with the ridge trail logo. Bark beetles from the Šumava National Park and the Kyrill storm in 2007 have ensured that there is now a perfect view from Hochstein. This was once high forest. The Nepomuk Chapel below the summit commemorates Bishop Johann Nepomuk Neumann (1811 – 1860), a "great son of the Bohemian Forest", born in Prachatice, bishop of Philadelphia, and canonized in 1977. Not far away stands the Dreisesselberghaus, which has been offering accommodation again since 2023, making it a perfect starting point.

After a short steeper section of asphalt, the classic Nordwaldkammweg and the Nordwaldkammweg II, our return route, which comes over the high ridge from the more easterly located tripoint / Trojmezí, separate at a forest information station (at N 48° 46.756, E 13° 48.338‘). The first section of the Nordwaldkammweg runs on the "Adalbert Stifter Weg". After about an hour's walk from Dreisesselberg (which was also once high forest), one reaches the "Stone Sea", a natural granite block scree about 9 hectares in size. The path crosses this natural monument uniquely covered with dwarf pines, from which there is a wide view to the south, showing the village of Schwarzenberg far below.

Continuing again through remnants of high forest, the path soon joins the so-called "Seesteig", which continues after a sharp right turn - on the left-hand side, the Seesteig leads after about 8 minutes' walk on the Bavarian side to the tripoint, the border point between Bavaria, Bohemia, and Austria, which lies on the NWKW II. It is a popular day trip to walk from the tripoint back to the Dreisessel parking lot.

Continuing along the Seesteig, it turns after another left turn in the opposite direction, past the "Small Stone Sea" to the "Salt Path", the old trade route from the Danube to the Vltava. The Nordwaldkammweg now reaches the border crossing between Bavaria and Austria, over the so-called Gegenbach. Here the ascent marked with the Nordwaldkammweg logo from Oberschwarzenberg joins. This is also used by the Natura Trail.

We stay on the Nordwaldkammweg, crossing the slope uphill to the east; this was formerly the Salt Path, about half an hour further to the Zwiesel hut (SOS 2, emergency accommodation, N 48° 45.815‘, E 13° 51.250‘). From here, the Plöckenstein/Plechý (1,378 m) can be climbed in 40 minutes. At the Zwiesel hut, we meet a forest road with cycle path 404, which we follow eastwards. Along the way at the customs hut (N 48° 45.733‘, E 13° 52.955, WC‘), there is the possibility to switch via the connecting path V1 to the NWKW II towards Říjiště (cycle paths 801/1026).

The Nordwaldkammweg marking runs along the forest road, which is also an MTB route, eastwards. After about 2 hours' walk from the border crossing, the Hochficht - Holzschlag area is reached. The entire area around the Hochficht has been developed by the Schlägl Abbey into a winter sports center due to its good and long-lasting snow conditions. Later, the Hochficht ski area was expanded by the "Schröcksnadel empire" to include a connection to Schwarzenberg.

The Nordwaldkammweg continues slightly uphill through the forest opposite the youth and sports hostel Holzschlag and after half an hour's walk enters a meadow where one can see drag lift facilities on the left and right and above the "Gasthaus zum Überleben". At the GH Überleben, one briefly follows the ski slope and then enters the high forest. Through this, on a cart track, the Nordwaldkammweg rises considerably and finally turns right to the Schönberg meadow below Hochficht (1,338 m, top station of the Hochfichtbahn four-seater chairlift), now a ski slope. On an easy path, one then reaches the junction to the Stinglfelsen (1,260 m).

This striking rock formation can be reached in just under five minutes from the mentioned junction, and there is a magnificent view from here. Towards the Czech Republic (northwest), the Adalbert-Stifter memorial, a granite obelisk above Lake Plöckenstein / Plešné jezero, can sometimes be seen in good visibility.

The path initially ascends gently eastwards through high forest, then circles westwards around the Fleischhackerberg (1,222 m) and joins a forest road. Approximately where you meet the forest road, you can detour in a few minutes to the Grüneiselingfelsen (partly marked), which offers a worthwhile view.

The Nordwaldkammweg follows the forest road (in winter groomed cross-country ski trails exist here), crosses the Schöneben meadows southwards, and after a small copse joins the road that leads right after about 500 m length to the Böhmerwaldarena in Schöneben. The section from Stinglfelsen to Schöneben takes 1½ hours walking time.

Schöneben offers on a sunny plateau the forest competence center, a shop with regional products and souvenirs, and accommodation (Vitalhotel InnsHolz and Böhmerwaldhorst). For an evening walk, the two viewpoints Moldaublick and Alpenblick are also suitable. For those seeking more adventure, the Böhmerwald High Rope Park awaits for walking and climbing. Along the road to the Czech Republic, it is possible to switch to Nordwaldkammweg II (connecting path V2). In winter, this is the center of a large cross-country skiing area.

Further accommodations, details on connecting paths, as well as the history of the Nordwaldkammweg and the region, can be found in the new Nordwaldkammweg guide, which is available online through the Pustet Publishing House, in bookshops, at the tourist associations of the Mühl and Waldviertel, and at some accommodations along the trail.