Toboggan track Monte Coaster Hirschau

With almost 30 million tonnes of sand, Monte Kaolino is one of the highest sand mountains in Europe. It is not - as the name suggests - in Italy, but in the German state of Bavaria. You can climb the mountain in Hirschau on the Monte Coaster, a summer toboggan track. Your toboggan takes you up the 150-metre-high mountain of quartz sand in about two minutes. Once you've reached the top, a rapid downhill run begins, where several jumps and waves provide an adrenaline rush. In addition, you pass a 350-degree panoramic gyro and six 180-degree curves on the 800-metre-long track.

There is a lot to experience, not only for adrenaline junkies. The change of scenery from sand dunes to forest and always with a view of the beautiful Upper Palatinate also makes the hearts of nature lovers beat faster.

The 42 rail-guided coaster sledges are equipped with centrifugal brakes. If the coaster exceeds the maximum speed of 40 kilometres per hour, the brake is automatically activated. If the ride is too fast for you, you can reduce the speed with an individual handbrake. For additional safety, the sleds are equipped with harnesses.

Many other activities await you around Monte Kaolino. How about skiing on sand dunes in summer temperatures, for example? If you need refreshments before the next activity, the "Piazza del Monte" restaurant is the place to go. There you can enjoy a view of the outdoor pool and Monte Kaolino while having lunch or dinner indoors or on the terrace.

Monte Kaolino was formed by the stockpiling of quartz sand, a waste product of kaolin extraction. The Bavarian State Office for the Environment has designated the mountain as a protected geotope. The town of Hirschau built a recreational area on the southern slope in the 1950s, which was completely renovated in 2007. The Alpine Coaster was put into operation on 27 September 2008.

Kaolin extraction has a long tradition in the Bavarian town of Hirschau. The Amberg Kaolin Works (AKW) located there has been mining the industrial minerals in the Hirschau-Schnaittenbach area since 1833.

Hirschau is located approx. 80 kilometres north of Regensburg and 80 kilometres east of Nuremberg.

By car

The quickest way to Hirschau from Regensburg is via the A93. On the A93, take exit 27-Wernberg-Köblitz and follow the B14 to Wolfgang-Droßbach-Straße.

From Nuremberg, you can easily reach Hirschau via the A6. First take the Katzwangerstraße/Finkenbrunn to the A73. Continue on the A6 until you reach the B299 in Ursensollen and take exit 65-Amberg-West. Finally, follow the B299 and turn into Wolfgang-Droßbach-Straße in Hirschau.

By public transport

From Nuremberg main station take the bus to Sulzbach Rosenberg. From there, take bus 463 to Hirschau Kaolinwerk.

From Regensburg main station, travel via Schwandorf to Amberg. From here, bus 455 runs to the Hirschau Kaolinwerk.