# Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border

> From the old town of Weiden via Flossenbürg and the heights near Oberviechtach to the ponds of Tirschenreuth, on to Waldsassen and the Rauher Kulm: about…

Source: https://camping-spirit.com/guides/rf-572-oberpfaelzer-wald-stiftland/

**At a glance:** 7-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 14 stops, from Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Erbendorf. About 3 h 58 min of driving in total. Best time to go: June–September. No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car. From the old town of Weiden via Flossenbürg and the heights near Oberviechtach to the ponds of Tirschenreuth, on to Waldsassen and the Rauher Kulm: about 380 kilometres through the quiet Upper Palatinate, where castle ruins, monastery Baroque and beer cellars take turns.

| | |
|---|---|
| Distance | approx. 287 km (178 mi) |
| Driving | 3 h 58 min |
| Suggested days | 7 |
| Stops | 14 |
| Route | Weiden in der Oberpfalz → Erbendorf |
| Countries | Germany |
| Best time to go | June–September |
| Tolls and vignettes | None expected |
| Updated | October 1, 2026 |

[Download GPX file](https://camping-spirit.com/gpx/rf-572-oberpfaelzer-wald-stiftland.gpx)

Practical guides for this route: [Germany by motorhome: low-emission zones, no car toll, speed limits and where to sleep](https://camping-spirit.com/magazine/eu-germany-by-motorhome/)

*From the old town of Weiden via Flossenbürg and the heights near Oberviechtach to the ponds of Tirschenreuth, on to Waldsassen and the Rauher Kulm: about 380 kilometres through the quiet Upper Palatinate, where castle ruins, monastery Baroque and beer cellars take turns.*

## The spirit of the route

The northern Upper Palatinate is not a land of grand gestures but of long lines. Beyond Weiden the road climbs into granite and spruce forest, castle ruins and basalt cones stand on the hilltops like landmarks, and to the east the border mountains of Bohemia push into view as a blue ridge. In the Stiftland countless ponds lie in the morning mist, grey herons standing in them like statues, and from the sliding door you smell wet reeds and wood smoke. In the villages a Zoigl star hangs on the house wall when beer is being served; inside you sit at beer tables with neighbours, a Brotzeit and a cloudy cellar beer. In between are places that make you stop and think, and Baroque churches that lift you up again. Here you drive slowly, and that is exactly right.

## Stage-by-stage plan

### Stage 1: Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Neustadt an der Waldnaab (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Weiden's old town on well-built roads past the Parkstein basalt cone to Neustadt an der Waldnaab. Few bends, 30 km/h zones past schools in the villages. A good half hour's drive; the day is about sightseeing.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Weiden: the long market square between the Old and New Town Halls with its gabled houses, and the Max-Reger-Park, which commemorates the town's composer.
  - Parkstein: The wooded basalt cone is regarded as one of the most beautiful basalt mountains in Europe; paths lead up and around the mountain from the village.
  - Neustadt an der Waldnaab: The town is known for its lead crystal; check in advance whether the factory shop or demonstrations are open.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Waldnaab Camping near Neustadt an der Waldnaab: pitches for motorhomes and tents, electricity and sanitary facilities; check season, opening times and waste disposal in advance. In Weiden there is a motorhome pitch at the Thermen- und Saunawelt which, according to the operator, has electricity and water; clarify fees and waste disposal in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Free camping outside designated sites is not provided for in Bavaria. The road traffic regulations (StVO) merely allow drivers to restore their fitness to drive, on foot or lying down; camping behaviour (chairs, awning, grill, grey water) is not part of that. Prohibition signs are common at hiking car parks at the Parkstein and in the Naturpark Oberpfälzer Wald; anyone who stops wild risks a fine and trouble with landowners or hunters.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Fill up with fuel and shop in Weiden before you go on: in the villages of the Oberpfälzer Wald petrol stations are few and shops close early. You can easily reach the old town by bike or bus from the motorhome pitch or campsite; the multi-storey car parks have height limits.

### Stage 2: Neustadt an der Waldnaab to Oberviechtach (via Flossenbürg, Tännesberg and Pfreimd) (approx. 80 km)

- **The drive:** From Neustadt east through the Oberpfälzer Wald to Flossenbürg, on via Vohenstrauß and the heights near Tännesberg into the Pfreimd valley and via Pfreimd to Oberviechtach. Mostly state roads with climbs and descents, twisty on the valley slopes, in places narrow in the villages. Pure driving time a good two hours; with sightseeing a long day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Flossenbürg: the castle ruin on the granite rock above the village, with views as far as the Czech border mountains.
  - Flossenbürg, concentration camp memorial: On the site of the former concentration camp and its granite quarry, the memorial commemorates the prisoners, among them Dietrich Bonhoeffer. Allow at least two hours.
  - Pfreimd valley and Tännesberg: walks along the Pfreimd; Pfreimd Castle in the town, best seen from outside.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Naturcamping Oberpfalz (NCO) near Oberviechtach: campsite in a green setting; ask about season and facilities in advance. Alternatively the small motorhome pitch at the open-air pool in Oberviechtach with electricity and water; clarify the number of pitches and waste disposal in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In and around Flossenbürg the usual Bavarian rules apply: no camping outside designated sites. The car park at the memorial is for visitors; overnight stays are not intended there, and the place calls for restraint. The Pfreimd valley has nature reserves and fishing waters; camping and open fires are taboo there.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The memorial has fixed opening times, which may differ on public holidays; check the current information on the website of the Flossenbürg Concentration Camp Memorial. For the memorial, park in the designated visitor car park, not in the village centre. For the castle ruin, the climb on foot up the steep path is worth it – short, but slippery; wear walking boots.

### Stage 3: Oberviechtach to Waldmünchen (detour via Stadlern) (approx. 35 km)

- **The drive:** From Oberviechtach via Schönsee and the heights near Stadlern close to the border, then on state roads through forests and clearings to Waldmünchen. Narrow stretches with oncoming timber lorries, otherwise a relaxed drive of about 45 minutes. This detour can also be driven as a day trip returning to the pitch.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Ridges near Oberviechtach, Schönsee and Stadlern in the Naturpark Oberpfälzer Wald, from which on a clear day the view reaches across the border mountains into Bohemia.
  - Waldmünchen: town square and centre of the small border town; in summer the Trenck-Festspiele open-air theatre takes place here.
  - Forest walks along the border: signposted paths, partly on old customs trails.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Campingplatz Waldmünchen on the edge of town: campsite with pitches for motorhomes, electricity and sanitary facilities; if travelling in spring or autumn, check season and opening times in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** Overnight stays are not intended in forest car parks or on border paths; near the border expect checks. In Waldmünchen you can stay legally at the campsite.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Waldmünchen is meant as a detour: if you are short of time, skip the stage and drive from Oberviechtach straight to Vohenstrauß. When festival performances take place in town, pitches are scarce; ask in good time. If you want to continue from here into the Czech Republic, you will find the continuation on the other side of the border in the CampingSpirit guide “Silver town, carp ponds and the source of the Vltava – by camper from Prague through South Bohemia into the Bohemian Forest”. Fill up with fuel in Oberviechtach before setting off; the villages in between have no petrol station.

### Stage 4: Waldmünchen to Vohenstrauß (approx. 55 km)

- **The drive:** Back via Oberviechtach and Tännesberg on state roads to Vohenstrauß, mostly with wide views over clearings and forest, with occasional climbs. About an hour's driving; watch out for farm traffic in the villages.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Vohenstrauß: market square with parish church and Schloss Friedrichsburg, a Renaissance castle; walks through the old town.
  - Naturpark Oberpfälzer Wald: circular walks from Vohenstrauß into the forest and to ponds.
  - Burg Leuchtenberg in the Pfreimd valley: a castle ruin visible from afar, which also serves as a backdrop for open-air theatre; a detour from the route, visits according to opening times.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wohnmobilstellplatz Vohenstrauß: municipal pitch at the Stadthalle with electricity, water, waste disposal and space for around 15 vehicles; check fees and season with the town.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The town's bylaws apply at the pitch: observe the length of stay and fees. Elsewhere, overnighting in forest car parks is not allowed; under the StVO it is only possible for one night, to restore fitness to drive.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Vohenstrauß is a good place to top up water and shop before heading into the Stiftland. Many shops are closed on Sundays, so plan your supplies accordingly. If you want to go on south from here, the CampingSpirit guide “Stone Bridge, glass furnaces and primeval-forest peaks – by camper from Regensburg down the Danube and through the Bavarian Forest” has suitable onward routes.

### Stage 5: Vohenstrauß to Tirschenreuth (approx. 60 km)

- **The drive:** From Vohenstrauß via Windischeschenbach and Neuhaus to Falkenberg, then through the Stiftland to Tirschenreuth. State roads, partly with village throughways, about an hour and a half of driving. Between the villages the route runs through pond landscapes.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Zoigl: In Windischeschenbach, Neuhaus, Falkenberg, Eslarn and Mitterteich, Zoigl beer is brewed in communal brewhouses and served in private parlours. A Zoigl star shows where it is open at the moment; the towns' Zoigl calendar sets the dates.
  - Burg Falkenberg: well-preserved hilltop castle above the village with a restaurant; check opening times in advance.
  - Geo-Zentrum an der KTB in Windischeschenbach: exhibition on the Continental Deep Drilling Project, which in the 1990s reached a depth of around 9 kilometres.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wohnmobilstellplatz am Fischhofpark in Tirschenreuth (Am Fischhof): around 16 paved pitches with electricity, fresh water, waste disposal and grey-water drain, open all year, stay limited to a few nights. A small pitch at the bus station (ZOB) is free but more basically equipped. Foreign guests must register.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Stiftland is densely laced with ponds and nature reserves; overnighting at the pond edge, fishing without a permit and open fires are prohibited. Checks take place mainly at weekends.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Zoigl and driving do not go together: stay in Windischeschenbach or Neuhaus at the small pitches by the open-air pool and by the castle respectively and walk, or drive to Tirschenreuth and take a taxi. The parlours open on different days; check the current Zoigl calendar in advance and bring cash.

### Stage 6: Tirschenreuth to Waldsassen (approx. 25 km)

- **The drive:** From Tirschenreuth on well-built roads between ponds to Waldsassen. A short, flat day with cyclists and pedestrians in the pond landscape. Only about 30 minutes' driving, which leaves room for the Fischhofpark and the town.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Tirschenreuther Teichpfanne: The pond landscape with several thousand ponds is the home of the carp; in the Fischhofpark in Tirschenreuth, paths run along stretches of water.
  - Waldsassen, Stiftsbasilika: The Baroque abbey church of the Cistercian nuns with its stucco, gilding and choir stalls; the abbey library with carved figures is regarded as one of the most beautiful library halls in Bavaria.
  - Kappl: the Trinity Church on the Glaubenberg near Waldsassen, a Baroque three-apse building by Georg Dientzenhofer, only a few kilometres from the monastery.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Stellplatz Schwanenwiese in Waldsassen: simple small motorhome pitch with electricity and water near the centre; there are further pitches at the bus station. A larger Reisemobilhafen is at the Sibyllenbad in Neualbenreuth, about 10 kilometres away; clarify facilities and spa access in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** In the Stiftland and the border area, as in the rest of Bavaria, camping is only allowed on designated sites. Overnight stays are not intended in the car parks at Kappl and the basilica.
- **Insider tip for campers:** Visit the basilica in the morning, before the groups arrive. The abbey library has visiting hours and tours; check the current information on the town's website. In autumn the ponds of the Teichpfanne are drained to harvest the fish: a good reason for walks and regional carp dishes.

### Stage 7: Waldsassen to Erbendorf (via Fuchsmühl, Steinwald, Kemnath and Rauher Kulm) (approx. 100 km)

- **The drive:** From Waldsassen via Fuchsmühl and through the Naturpark Steinwald to Friedenfels, on to Kemnath and to the Rauher Kulm near Neustadt am Kulm, then back to Erbendorf. Twisty state roads through forests and hills, occasional climbs, 30 km/h in the villages. Pure driving time around two hours, with sightseeing half a day to a full day.
- **Highlights & must-sees:**
  - Fuchsmühl and Steinwald: trails through beech and conifer forest along the ridge, with views over the Stiftland.
  - Kemnath: small town with a town square and fountain, a good break on the way back.
  - Rauher Kulm: basalt cone with a trail from Neustadt am Kulm, views as far as the Fichtelgebirge and the Steinwald.
- **Official campsite or RV park:** Wohnmobilstellplatz Erbendorf: municipal site with electricity, water and waste disposal for around eight vehicles. Alternatively NaturCamp Steinwald (campsite in the Steinwald) or Camping Kemnather Land near Kemnath, each with sanitary facilities and electricity. Check the season in advance.
- **Free camping or nature tip (where legal):** The Steinwald is a nature park and protected area: overnighting in forest and hiking car parks is not intended, open fires are taboo. Nature conservation rules also apply at the Rauher Kulm; stay on the paths.
- **Insider tip for campers:** The climb up the Rauher Kulm takes about 30 to 45 minutes and is quite manageable; park in Neustadt am Kulm at the hiking car park, not on farm tracks. If you would rather end in Weiden, it is about 30 minutes from Erbendorf, and you can stay overnight at the pitch at the Thermen- und Saunawelt. If you want to go on north, the CampingSpirit guide “Granite, porcelain and brick arches – by camper through the Fichtelgebirge, Frankenwald and Vogtland” has the continuation.

## Camping practice & local rules

### Wild camping & overnight parking

- Legal situation in Germany: motorhomes may be parked in public car parks as long as parking is allowed; one night is tolerated to restore fitness to drive. Camping behaviour (chairs, table, awning, grill, grey water) is not allowed.
- In Bavaria, tenting and camping in the open countryside outside designated sites is not provided for. In the Naturpark Oberpfälzer Wald, in the Steinwald, in the nature reserves of the Teichpfanne and in the border area, bans and checks are likely; fines run to two or three figures.
- You can stay legally at campsites and municipal pitches, which are numerous and often cheap in the Upper Palatinate. Useful apps: park4night, Campercontact, ADAC Camping- und Stellplatzführer; user reports help with up-to-date information.
- Municipal sites mostly charge fees by coin machine or app; lengths of stay are set in bylaws, and at some sites foreign guests have to register.

### Waste disposal & supplies

- Services: municipal pitches offer fresh water and waste disposal, mostly for coins or by card; drain grey water only at the station.
- Tap water is drinkable everywhere in Bavaria; fountains at cemeteries and fire stations are not always drinking water, so use only marked taps.
- Gas: in Germany you exchange cylinders at DIY stores and petrol stations if the make fits; refillable cylinders and gas tanks are filled at autogas stations, and for foreign connections you need an adapter. For the Czech Republic take two full cylinders.
- Chemical toilet: dispose of it only at marked stations, not in restaurant toilets.

### Vehicle size & traffic rules

- Speed limits: motorhomes up to 3.5 t drive 50 km/h in built-up areas, 100 km/h outside, with no general limit on the Autobahn (recommended speed 130 km/h). Above 3.5 t up to 7.5 t, 80 km/h applies outside built-up areas and 100 km/h on the Autobahn. Caravan combinations: 80 km/h, 100 km/h with a 100 km/h approval.
- Low-emission zones: as far as is currently known there is no low-emission zone on this route; check with the Umweltbundesamt before travelling via larger cities.
- Tolls: there is no vignette for cars and motorhomes in Germany. On detours to the Czech Republic (Cheb/Eger, Marktredwitz–Cheb), motorways and expressways up to 3.5 t require an electronic vignette tied to the number plate, bought online (edalnice.cz), at petrol stations or at border machines; check current prices in advance. Vehicles over 3.5 t pay a distance-based electronic toll with an on-board unit. The Czech Republic has a 0.0 per mille limit and requires dipped headlights in daytime too.
- Czech petrol stations: compare prices beforehand, card payment is usual, euros are often accepted, but the exchange rate is mostly worse. Take your ID card.
- Winter: from October to April snow can fall in the Upper Palatinate; in icy or snowy conditions tyres with the Alpine symbol are mandatory, M+S tyres are no longer enough. Carry snow chains.
- Rear carriers: a warning plate is not compulsory in Germany, but the number plate and rear lights must remain visible. Alcohol: 0.5 per mille, 0.0 for novice drivers and under-21s. Mobile phone at the wheel only with a hands-free kit.
- Spa tax: spa and health resorts such as Neualbenreuth (Sibyllenbad) may charge a spa tax per person and night, which pitch or campsite operators mostly bill directly.

## CampingSpirit packing & preparation checklist

- Walking boots with a good tread – granite paths near Flossenbürg and on the Rauher Kulm are slippery after rain.
- Binoculars for the Teichpfanne in the Stiftland: grey herons, cormorants and kingfishers are regularly seen.
- Mosquito repellent and long clothing for evenings by the ponds.
- Zoigl calendar of the Oberpfälzer Wald (paper or offline map on your smartphone) – opening days of the parlours change, and mobile reception is patchy in the valleys.
- Passport or ID card, Czech koruna or a card and, for detours to Cheb and Karlovy Vary, an electronic vignette (online in advance, tied to the number plate) if you use expressways.
- Wheel chocks and snow chains for the shoulder season: pitches in the villages are sometimes sloping, and slopes at around 700 metres can get snow early.

_As of 2026-10. Closures, fees and booking rules change: check official sources before you go._

## Sources

- [Stadt Tirschenreuth – Wohnmobilstellplätze Fischhofpark und ZOB](https://www.stadt-tirschenreuth.de/motorhome-stopover-en)
- [Stadt Tirschenreuth – Wohnmobilstellplatzbenutzungssatzung 2022](https://tourismus.stadt-tirschenreuth.de/fileadmin_stadt/user_upload/Rathaus_Buergerservice/satzungen_verordnungen_richtlinien/Wohnmobilstellplatzbenutzungssatzung_2022-05-25.pdf)
- [Stadt Vohenstrauß – Wohnmobilstellplatz](https://www.vohenstrauss.de/tourismus-amp-freizeit/tourismus/wohnmobile)
- [Stadt Waldsassen – Wohnmobilstellplätze](https://www.tourismus.waldsassen.de/gastgeber/wohnmobilstellplaetze/)
- [Camping Sibyllenbad – Reisemobilhafen](https://www.camping-sibyllenbad.de/de/reisemobilhafen)
- [Stadt Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab – Camping](https://www.neustadt-waldnaab.de/camping.htm)
- [Naturcamping Oberpfalz](https://naturcamping-oberpfalz.de/)
- [Campingplatz Waldmünchen](https://www.campingplatz-waldmuenchen.de/)
- [Geo-Zentrum an der KTB – Stiftungsprospekt](https://www.geozentrum-ktb.de/wp-content/uploads/2024/09/Stiftungsprospekt.pdf)
- [Wikipedia – Bundesstraße 22](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bundesstra%C3%9Fe_22)
- [Wikipedia – Rauher Kulm](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rauher_Kulm)
- [Wikivoyage – Vohenstrauß](https://de.wikivoyage.org/wiki/Vohenstrau%C3%9F)

## Which stops are on the route from Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Erbendorf?

1. **Weiden in der Oberpfalz** (Germany)
2. **Neustadt an der Waldnaab** (Germany)
3. **Flossenbürg** (Germany)
4. **Tännesberg** (Germany)
5. **Pfreimd** (Germany)
6. **Oberviechtach** (Germany)
7. **Waldmünchen** (Germany)
8. **Vohenstrauß** (Germany)
9. **Tirschenreuth** (Germany)
10. **Waldsassen** (Germany)
11. **Fuchsmühl** (Germany)
12. **Kemnath** (Germany)
13. **Rauher Kulm** (Germany)
14. **Erbendorf** (Germany)

## When is the best time for the route from Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Erbendorf?

The most pleasant months are usually June–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in May. Cold, short days in December–March. July and August are the busiest months: book campsites early. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)

## What should you know before driving the route from Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Erbendorf?

No motorway tolls or vignettes expected for a car.

- **Germany: No motorway tolls for cars.** No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.

## FAQs

**How long is Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border?**
7-day road trip of about 287 km (178 mi) with 14 stops, from Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Erbendorf. About 3 h 58 min of driving in total.

**How many days do you need for Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border?**
We suggest 7 days: about 3 h 58 min of driving, which leaves time for the stops.

**Where does Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border start and end?**
It starts in Weiden in der Oberpfalz and ends in Erbendorf.

**Which countries does Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border pass through?**
Germany.

**Where can you camp along Granite, carp ponds and Zoigl taverns – by camper through the Oberpfälzer Wald and the Stiftland on the Czech border?**
OpenStreetMap lists 93 campsites and motorhome stopovers within 20 km of the stops on this route. For example: Wohnmobilstellplatz Vohenstrauß, Wohnmobilstellplatz Am Waldbad Grafenwöhr and Wohnmobilstellplatz Erbendorf.