German village offers hiking trails and great castle ruins

At a glance, Stamsried seems a lot like any other town in Bavaria. It has the same narrow, winding streets and the usual assortment of bakeries, butcher shops and bars. It’s home to no particularly famous individual or great cultural landmark.

What it does have is a fantastic set of hiking paths and Burgruine Kurnberg, one of the better set of castle ruins you’ll find in Bavaria.

Built in 1354 by Bavarian Duke Dietrich II, this castle is situated atop a hill overlooking the Stamsried village below. Kurnberg swapped hands several times through the centuries, ultimately falling into ruin in the early 17th century. However, most of the towers and walls remain thanks to restoration efforts over the years.

The forest trails that lead up to the ruins are destinations in their own right. Some of them are relatively level; others require a bit of a climb. There are children’s amusements on some of the paths, such as wood chimes and rock hammer stations. Placards along the way explain the flora and fauna.

The best part of the Kurnberg hiking experience is that it’s absolutely free. There is no charge for parking, no entrance fee and no donation boxes to be found. As long as you don’t mind a little exercise, there really isn’t a downside.

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