The most famous mountain in Franconian Switzerland is the Ehrenbürg, colloquially known as the ‘Walberla’. Strictly speaking, the Walberla is only the northern summit of the mountain (513.9 m above sea level); the Ehrenbürg also includes the slightly higher Rodenstein (531.9 m above sea level). As a freestanding landmark, the Ehrenbürg juts out from the Albtrauf into the Wiesent and Regnitz valleys like the bow of a ship; it is visible from afar and unmistakable even from the motorway.
👀 Worth seeing
At the top, a vast high plateau awaits, with rocky cliffs at its edges and a panoramic view that, on a clear day, stretches across the Regnitz Valley as far as the Steigerwald. On the northern summit stands the small Walburgis Chapel, which gave the hill its nickname. In its honour, the Walberlafest is celebrated on the first Sunday in May – a patron saint’s festival popular far beyond the region.
🌸 Nature
The Ehrenbürg is a nature reserve. Rare plants grow on the nutrient-poor, dry limestone grasslands of the plateau; pasque flowers bloom here in spring, followed later by gentians and wild orchids. So please stick to the paths, do not pick any plants, and keep dogs on a lead.
🥾 Hiking
The Ehrenbürg is a popular hiking destination; this guide also features an easy hiking route. The ascent from one of the car parks at the foot of the hill takes 20 to 40 minutes, depending on your starting point, and is straightforward; once at the top, it’s well worth taking the circular route across the entire plateau to the Rodenstein.
🚗 Getting there
There are hiking car parks in Kirchehrenbach, Schlaifhausen and Wiesenthau; a marked path leads up from each one. You can reach Kirchehrenbach directly by train; the Forchheim–Ebermannstadt line stops there. On public holidays and fine weekends, the car parks fill up quickly, so travelling by train is a much more relaxed option.