Pottenstein is located around 50 minutes from Erlangen in the heart of the Franconian Switzerland. The small town not only has a variety of hiking trails and climbing routes to offer, but also exciting excursion destinations for young and old. Medieval castles, a modern summer toboggan run and even a real cave? You can find all of this in the Franconian town of Pottenstein.
Pottenstein – Experience for young and old
Pottenstein in winter
Depending on the weather, there is also in winter a lot to experience. It is best to leave your car in the parking lot of the „Erlebnisfelsen“. From there it is a comfortable walk in less than 20 minutes to the Devil's Cave, which can usually be visited on Sundays even in winter. From there you can extend the walk as you like on numerous hiking trails through the winter landscape of Franconian Switzerland. Before heading home (if the weather is good) it gets really exciting on the toboggan run - because it's also open in winter, weather permitting. Tip: the Pottensteiner Festival of Lights, which is well worth seeing, takes place on January 6th every year.
Pottenstein in summer
When the sun is shining, a trip to Franconian Switzerland is definitely worth it. Children in particular always looking forward to a visit to the Pottenstein climbing forest or a ride on the summer toboggan run. Ambitious sport climbers as well as cyclists will find routes and tours of all levels of difficulty, and you can swim in the rock pool when the temperatures are particularly warm. Extensive hikes lead from Pottenstein Castle to the so-called ladder to heaven and then to the devil's cave. In the evening, the day can be ended in a beer garden or cellar, for example in the Pottensteiner Kellerschänke.
Climbing
Adrenaline junkies and climbing newcomers can look forward to the climbing forest Pottenstein. 14 courses with different levels of difficulty are waiting to be explored after an introduction. Flying through the forest on a thin rope at 20 meters above sea level? No problem in the climbing forest thanks to modern safety systems! If you are more drawn to the bare rock, you will find numerous easy to high alpine routes in the Pottenstein area. Many climbers have broken their personal records here…
Cave and summer toboggan run
But you don't just have to be careful outside on the rock: In the Pottenstein Devil's Cave, pointed stalactites meet on the floor and ceiling. During a guided tour you will learn interesting facts about the origin and dimensions of this cave. We recommend leaving the car on the Pottensteiner adventure rock car park and walking half an hour to the Devil's Cave. When you return, you should definitely not miss a ride on the summer toboggan run! But the adventure rock offers even more: while the children let off steam on the large play area with mini cars and trampolines, the parents enjoy the view from the Skywalk. This viewing platform at a dizzy height can be reached via a treetop path.
Hiking to the castle
Those who feel safer on solid ground will find numerous hiking trails around Pottenstein. A particularly beautiful tour leads from the village to the 1000-year-old Pottenstein Castle. In addition to a museum 
in the old walls, you also have a great view of the Franconian landscape from up there at any time of the year. Continue to the so-called ladder to heaven, a high tower from which you can see far over the treetops after climbing 150 steps. On well-developed hiking trails, it is now easy to walk to the big rabbit hole. Reminiscent of a walkable cave several meters long, this legendary rock formation impresses anyone who dares to walk through! A few hundred meters along the Püttlach stream back in the direction of Pottenstein, then you really have earned the cake on the terrace of the forest café. You should plan about three hours for this tour.
Swimming
You can relax your tired legs after the hike in the „Felsenbad“ in the south of Pottenstein. The large swimming pool is cleaned by a filter system without the 
use of any chemical substances and reaches temperatures of up to 25 degrees in summer. In the beer garden, which is integrated into the Art Nouveau complex, there are cakes and snacks in front of a fantastic rock panorama.
The JuraMar leisure pool in the town center of Pottenstein also manages without chlorine gas. Three swimming pools and a 53 meter long slide as well as a sauna area are particularly popular with families.
Food
In the evening, you can have a typically Franconian meal in the Gasthaus Hufeisen on the main street. Brewing is done here in the fourth generation, some types of beer are certified organic. Sauerbraten, horseradish meat and schnitzel, but also cold snacks are served in the rustic beer garden or in the guest rooms. 
Fish lovers will find what they are looking for in Heiner's trout smokehouse: since 1981, fresh fish has been prepared here that was caught right outside the front door. This is traditionally served with potato salad and horseradish cream. That fits!
A more upscale ambience and high-quality Franconian cuisine can be found in Pottenstein at the Gasthof Goldene Krone. The menu is based on regional and seasonal products. For example, there are selected asparagus dishes in spring.
