The impressive rocks give the valley in Franconian Switzerland an almost alpine character. Temples, mills and other buildings once stood here, but now there is not much left of most of them. This valley has so far been completely spared from road traffic, but you can still explore it on foot. Embark on a legendary hike past ponds and ruins and feel like a traveler in a mythical world.
The valley of the three mills
A lord of the castle once had the landscape around the valley laid out like an English landscape garden. In the course of this, temples, a hermitage, a parasol and an arched bridge were built. Today, all that remains of them are ruins. At this time, around 1580, a mill was also built, which gave the valley its name. It included a 3,700 square meter mill pond, which was fed by two springs. Today, only the remains of both the mill and the pond remain. The latter is now home to a trout farm.
The mill was regarded as a separate registered district of the village, where four people lived in 1875, but by 1904 there were only two. In the 1920s, the mill ceased operations and in 1965 it finally had to be demolished due to dilapidation. You can still see the ruins today on your hike through the valley.
However, there are two more mills in the legendary valley. The Mittelmühle was built in 1520 and owes its name to its location halfway between the other two mills. The mill ceased operations in the 1940s, but the district still exists as a farm. At the southern end of the valley is the third mill, which was also first mentioned by name in 1520 and today has 26 inhabitants.
Peppered with natural gems
However, hikers don’t come to the valley for the mills alone. First and foremost, it impresses with its natural beauty. The former mill pond is fed by a spring that still bubbles today and powered all three mills. On your way through the valley, you will pass many other ponds and discover numerous interesting and astonishing rock formations typical of the Franconian Jura.
As you hike through the valley, you can also take one of the two Jägersteige trails. They are steep in places, but you don’t have to climb. They lead you past other impressive rock formations that have given rise to one or two myths. You will be rewarded with beautiful views over the valley.
Another rock formation awaits you at the very end, near the third mill. The rock needle is a freestanding dolomite rock that stands out due to its unusual shape. It is also known as the “Weiherstaler Männchen” and is a designated geotope.
Legends about the Klumpertal
Many legends surround the sometimes bizarre rocks of the Klumpertal. A long time ago, a knight from Kühlenfels Castle fell madly in love with a mysterious woman on one of his travels. She reciprocated his feelings and returned to the castle with him. But she could not get used to the cool and harsh climate of the Klumpertal and became increasingly unhappy. One day, her soul became so heavy that she threw herself off one of the rocks in the Klumpertal. This is still known today as the “Rock of the Black Woman”.
Another legend says that gold was once mined in the valley. The trout that swam near the gold spring were themselves gilded. If you keep your eyes open, you might still be lucky enough to spot the odd nugget of gold.
If you would like to find out more about the legends of the Klumpertal, it is best to go on a hike through the beautiful landscape of Franconian Switzerland. You can reach the valley from Munich in 2 hours and 15 minutes by car. At the end of the 4-kilometre circular trail, you can stop off at the Schüttersmühle, which is now an inn. If you want to stay longer, you can also spend the night here.