Panoramatag am WeinSteiger

Hiking Season Opening in the Northern Steigerwald

The Panoramatag am WeinSteiger is the traditional season opener for the northern Steigerwald hiking region – held every year on Ascension Day / Father's Day. In 2026, this falls on May 14, 2026. The event is organized by the WeinPanorama Steigerwald Tourist Information, located in the historic old town hall in Gerolzhofen (Schweinfurt district, Lower Franconia, Bavaria).

Hiking Route with Six Stations

The hiking route connects six Franconian wine-growing and Steigerwald communities:

• Oberschwarzach – Wine service by local vintners with bratwurst and homemade cakes, wine trail
• Wiebelsberg – Wine and Franconian specialties
• Gerolzhofen – Franconian delicacies at the Gertraudiskapelle; special trips on the historic "Lok Adler" train from 1 PM to 5 PM
• Dingolshausen – Weingut LOOS with homemade pizza and wines
• Michelau – Wine and hearty snacks from local vintners
• Hundelshausen – Ring Distillery with distillery demonstrations and barbecue specialties

Falkenberg Vineyard with 50 Wine Houses

A special feature of the hiking route is the Falkenberg with its nearly 50 wine houses – small, individually designed houses of the vintners nestled among the vines. Additionally, there are wine trails in Oberschwarzach and Handthal, and vineyards that are partly almost 150 years old.

Free Bus Shuttle

For those who don't wish to walk the entire route, there's a free bus shuttle: It runs between 11 AM and approximately 7 PM every 30 minutes between Gerolzhofen, Dingolshausen, Michelau, and Hundelshausen (not directly into the vineyards). This allows for a flexible experience, whether as a day hike or a pure wine-tasting excursion.

Event Time and Format

The program runs from 10 AM to 6 PM. The hiking trails are signposted, and wine is served in reusable glass cups with a deposit at each pavilion. The event is easily accessible: free entry, no registration required, and individual route choices.

Gerolzhofen and the Franconian Wine Region

Gerolzhofen, with around 7,000 inhabitants, is the district town in the southern part of the Schweinfurt district (Lower Franconia, Bavaria), near the Mainfränkische Platten. The town serves as the gateway to the northern Steigerwald, which is part of the Franconian wine region and the Steigerwald UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The Panoramatag combines this wine-growing and hiking culture into a festive season opener.