Berg-Kirchweih am Haidstein (Runding)

Mountain Fair at the Pilgrimage Church

High above the Cham-Furthnauer Valley in the Bavarian Forest, on the Haidstein summit, stands the St. Ulrich pilgrimage church – a small mountain chapel dedicated to the Mother of God of Mount Carmel and Saint Bishop Ulrich of Augsburg. Originally, it was a castle chapel within a medieval castle complex, first documented in the 12th century. Today, it is a popular pilgrimage and excursion destination.

July 4th – The Patronal Feast Day

The Bergkirchweih am Haidstein is traditionally celebrated on the patronal feast day of Saint Ulrich of Augsburg: on July 4th or the following Sunday. In 2026, July 4th is a Saturday – so the actual Bergkirchwa will take place on Sunday, July 5th, 2026. A week later, the Kirchweih (church consecration festival) of the Runding parish itself traditionally follows – an interplay between mountain pilgrimage and village festival that characterizes this region of the Bavarian Forest.

St. Mark's Procession in May – A Related Custom

Closely related to the Bergkirchweih is the St. Mark's procession on May 1st: pilgrims walk from the old parish church in Runding via the Way of the Cross up to the Haidstein, where, weather permitting, an open-air mass is celebrated, or a mass inside the church if the weather is bad. This tradition shows how closely the Haidstein and the pilgrimage church are anchored in the religious calendar of the parish.

Haidsteiner Hütte and Mountain Hike

In addition to the pilgrimage church, the Haidsteiner Hütte offers an inn with snacks, Franconian-Bavarian cuisine, and far-reaching views into the Bavarian Forest. Those who visit the Bergkirchweih traditionally combine it with a hike from Runding up to the church – via the old Way of the Cross or one of the marked hiking trails. A hike in the Bavarian Forest with a religious highlight and a cozy mountain inn conclusion.

Runding and the Bavarian Forest

Runding is a municipality in the district of Cham with just over 2,600 inhabitants, located at the foot of Schlossberg in the Bavarian Forest. The region is a classic hiking area with forests, small low mountain ranges, and a dense parish culture. The Bergkirchweih am Haidstein is one of the most vibrant religious and, at the same time, tourist events in the municipality.