The spa town of Oberwiesenthal lies just below the 1215 metre-high Fichtelberg, the second highest mountain in the Ore Mountains. The Ore Mountains themselves are located in the east of Saxony and form the natural border between Germany and the Czech Republic. Due to plate tectonics - one plate slid under the other and broke off after the corresponding uplift - the striking topography of the low mountain range was created: it rises gently from the north (German side) and breaks off steeply on the south side. This creates an altitude difference of 1000 metres on the Czech side from the 1244 metre high Klínovec, the highest mountain in the Ore Mountains, down to the River Eger.
The trail network on this southern flank is huge and mostly enduro terrain. With the opening of the Rabenberg trail centre in 2013 and the Stoneman Miriquidis in 2014, mountain biking in the region developed in leaps and bounds. In the following years, trail parks were created on the Keilberg and Pleßberg, particularly on the Czech side. In the Ore Mountains, the focus is on trail sharing. The trails around Oberwiesenthal itself are built and maintained by the local community. Here are our three favourite tours:
Tour 1: Fichtelberg circuit
- Length: 19.5 kilometres
- Uphill: 528 metres in altitude
- Duration: 2 hours
- Difficulty: medium
Tour description
From the hotel car park at an altitude of almost 1000 metres, the first few kilometres are flat on wide gravel paths to the Bärenfanghütte and past the Stümpelbruch. From there, the trail descends at high speed to the refuge at the Bimmelbahn, where the idyllic path runs parallel to the route of the historic Fichtelberg railway. Past the Vierenstraße railway station in Neudorf, the trail turns off into the forest again. Now the route leads steadily uphill along forest paths until - a few metres after the Gifthüttenstraße refuge - a short single trail over soft forest soil at the Schwarzer Teich (black pond) spits you out. Don't forget your swimming trunks on hot days! The characteristics of the trail change briefly at the turn-off onto the Reitsteig: the gradient increases significantly and the surface becomes rockier and rougher. If you like it short and crisp, continue along the steep Reitsteig trail - now on gentler ground - up to the Fichtelberg. Otherwise, the route leads up to the 1215 metre high summit via Hirschfalzstraße and Osthangweg on gravel. The highest point of the day is reached and rewards you with a fantastic 360-degree panorama. The final, adrenaline-fuelled descent via the Scheißhaus trail finally leads back to the starting point of the tour. Insider tip from Alex for downhill gods: After the concrete pipe, turn right onto the single trail with fat roots and steps - it's not just your brakes that glow here, but your forearms too!
Starting point: Hotel/Restaurant Jens Weißflog car park, above Oberwiesenthal
Highlights: The 360-degree panorama on the Fichtelberg, a dip in the Black Pond and the challenging Scheißhaus Trail.
Key points: You need bite for the rough bridleway ramp and a firm chassis for the insider trail.
Tour 2: Trailpark Klínovec
- Length: 50.5 kilometres
- Uphill: 1588 metres in altitude
- Duration: 4.5 hours
- Difficulty: medium
Tour description
From Prijut12, the route initially heads downhill and directly across the border into the Czech Republic. Continue across lush green flower meadows to the ruined village of Königsmühle. There, the trail dives into the mixed forest and winds its way over soft ground past historic lime kilns from the 18th century, where you can get a refreshing drink on a trust basis for a small fee. A long descent then awaits, which leads into the route of the old MTB classic Pürstein-Giro for the last few metres. Beware, the slippery gravel of fist-sized basalt stones towards Pürstein demands the full spectrum of technical riding skills. At the bottom of Pürstein, fitness is required again: the climb to the summit of Klínovec is 800 metres in altitude. First on tarmac, later on gravel and rough ground up to the highest point of the Ore Mountains (1244 m). The Klínovec trail park awaits here. Its Baron and Rubin trails wind their way towards the valley station with small, always rideable jumps and berms. You could easily take the chairlift back up again, but the next seven kilometres take you almost 500 metres in altitude up to the Kleiner Fichtelberg, before the crowning glory is the descent back down to Prijut12 over blocked terrain in the finest singletrail style.
Starting point: The tour starts at the legendary Prijut12 bar in Oberwiesenthal.
Highlights: Clearly the trails at Klínovec. Five long descents from easy to difficult await you here. If you want to go up again, a single ride on the chairlift costs around 8.50 euros.
Key points: At the end of the first long descent there is a section with very rough scree. Snake alarm!
Retreat: At the summit of Klínovec and in Prijut12
Tour 3: Trailpark Plesivec
- Length: 50.6 kilometres
- Uphill: 1536 metres in altitude
- Duration: 5 hours
- Difficulty: medium-difficult
Tour description
On the winter sports pros' roller ski run, the trail initially leads undulating past colourful wooden carvings of Czech fairytale figures through the forest. On the Jens Weißflog tour, the trail turns sharply behind a bus shelter into a 2.5 km long root trail along a rafting ditch. Hold on tight, every chassis is put to the test here! Well shaken up, you follow the Ski-Magistrale, the main ridge path that leads through the vastness of the Erzgebirge into the Vogtland. The last few metres up to the Pleßberg climb along a forest floor path past sculptures of Czech legends. After a stop for traditional cuisine, concentration is required! The Niki Trail (red route, #2) is more for experienced riders: fast berms, small jumps and large tables will quickly send you into a trail trance. Again? There's a lift option at the valley station before the tour starts to climb 150 metres in altitude. Behind this, the undulating Stoneman route to Jáchymov and finally the last long climb up the Keilberg await. Passing the middle station, you initially ride uphill on loose gravel parallel to the downhill route and repeatedly cross the ski slopes. On the Fichtelberg, you turn into the newly created single trail at the bobsleigh run (marked in orange) and enjoy the last few metres downhill to Oberwiesenthal.
Starting point: Fichtelberg cable car car park, Oberwiesenthal
Highlights: All trails, especially those on the Pleßberg, are freely selectable in terms of difficulty and can be ridden several times thanks to the lift.
Key points: On the root trail of the Jens Weißflog Tour and the trails on the Pleßberg, you need courageous riding technique.
Retreat: Be sure to stop off at the Cervený vlk brewery in Boží Dar. Tip: yeast dumplings filled with rib meat, served with the Pro beer board.
GPS data MTB area Erzgebirge
Arrival
Oberwiesenthal is best reached by car and is about an hour from the motorway. Travelling time from Munich approx. 4 hours via the Czech Republic, from Hamburg approx. 6 hours, from Düsseldorf approx. 6.5 hours. Travelling by train is possible, but not recommended, as the journey is inconvenient and time-consuming.
Overnight stay
If you are looking for a simple hostel or want to camp, the Waldeck is a good choice. Prices: from 15 euros per person and bed in a dormitory, in your own sleeping bag; rooms from 50 euros per person (each additional person 10 euros per night). Motorhome pitch Waldeck-Oberwiesenthal from 25 euros from 25 euros.
The K1 Sporthotel is in the mid-price segment. From the breakfast buffet to the power snack for in-between meals, everything is designed for athletes. In addition to the hire station for bikes and e-bikes, there is also a bike wash. Rooms from 40 euros per person per night.
If you want to treat yourself to some wellness after the tour, you should check into the Hotel Jens Weißflog. A spacious spa area provides relaxation. E-bike hire: from 30 euros per day. The rooms (with autograph card) are named after ski jumping locations. The former ski jumping icon Jens Weißflog is omnipresent: from the cardboard stand-up display at the entrance to the key ring. jens-weissflog.de
Bike parks
The trail park Klínovec has a pump track and three routes of different lengths: Azur 10 km (easy), Rubin 8 km (medium) and Baron 6 km (difficult). Prices: Day lift ticket approx. 30 euros per person.
The trail park Plesivec also has three routes: blue (easy; approx. 5 km), red (medium difficulty; approx. 4 km) and black (difficult; approx. 1 km). Prices: Day lift ticket approx. 14/26 euros per person (child/adult). Single ride from approx. 4/6 euros per person.
The trail centre Rabenberg is approx. 30 minutes away by car. Various routes with different lengths and levels of difficulty. Prices: Day ticket 10 euros, trailcenter-rabenberg.de
District highlights
Prijut12: In the rustic log cabin at the Fichtelberg cable car, the bikelocals are always on hand. Insider tips on biking are provided free of charge. Otherwise, delicious food is served here to cool music. Be sure to try the mountain cheese dumplings! Incidentally, the name is derived from the mountaineering hut Prijut11 on Mount Elbrus.
Cervený-vlk brewery: The newly restored brewery in Boží Dar is located just over the border on the Czech side. The menu is small but delicious. Tip: yeast dumplings with plucked rib meat and half a metre of beer with five different varieties of 100 ml each.
Stoneman Miriquidi: All trail parks are connected by the Stoneman Miriquidi. The cross-border route is signposted throughout and runs over nine peaks, covering a total of 162 kilometres and 4400 metres in altitude. Info: www.stoneman-miriquidi.com
Fichtelberg railway: The historic narrow-gauge steam railway runs several times a day between Cranzahl and Oberwiesenthal and climbs almost 250 metres in altitude over a distance of around 17 kilometres. The crossing of the Hüttenbach viaduct, a 110 metre long and 23 metre high steel lattice bridge, is particularly exciting. It is also possible to take bicycles along.
BIKE Report: East Signal Box
"Iron pig" - it was clear that his friends don't call him that for nothing. Even though he introduced himself to us earlier as Alex, a chef at Prijut12 and our guide today. But when he looks at his watch, he suddenly interrupts the informal introductory conversation: "Come on, come on, we have to hurry!"
Without any further explanation, he races us down a wide forest path to the start. But then, just ten minutes later, he abruptly slows down to a snail's pace on a flat section. I'm still drying the tears that the wind has pushed out of my eyes when a shrill whistle sounds from behind. Followed by a pounding. Now I recognise the tracks parallel to our path and a black monster: with a deafening roar, the historic Fichtelberg railway stomps, hisses and smokes its way towards us, past us - and then it's gone again. As a greeting, a few soot particles trickle onto our bike goggles. "Phew, just in time!" Alex grins with satisfaction because his schedule has worked out. Then we continue our first tour in the Ore Mountains, now at a more leisurely pace.
No, he has nothing to do with the Fichtelberg railway itself. His friends gave him the nickname "Iron Pig" after he cycled 620 kilometres non-stop twice to Cape Arkona on the island of Rügen. "With just one day's rest in between," adds his mate Torsten, shaking his head. The smell of locomotive steam still lingers in the ferns as we repeatedly branch off from the forest path onto small root trails that finally spit us out at the Black Pond. "On hot summer days, this is the locals' swimming spot, but ..." Alex uses his thumb and index finger to check the temperature for men - okay, so let's keep going.
"A lot has happened in the region in recent years when it comes to mountain biking. Since the opening of the Stoneman Miriquidi in 2014, thousands of bikers have been drawn to the Ore Mountains every year. Even from abroad," explains Alex as we pedal through the spruce forest on a relaxed climb. But his voice is suddenly silenced when Torsten takes over the route sceptre and begins his favourite ascent to the Fichtelberg: We now knead our way up the steep bridle path to the summit on damp rock and muddy forest floor. Unfortunately, the Fichtelberg only rewards us 80 per cent for our efforts today, because on a good day, the 360-degree panorama from up here should even extend as far as the Monument to the Battle of the Nations in Leipzig. The hazy grey that we are looking into at the moment, on the other hand, heralds an imminent change in the weather, murmurs Torsten. "Nice sh...!", I think aloud and Alex has to laugh: "A fitting transition to the planned departure. Follow me to the shithouse trail!" While the downhill force of a wide ski slope is still tugging at us, Alex and Torsten suddenly drop anchor, set a hook and thread their way between two spruce trees into a path that is bursting with roots, steps and tight bends. As we almost graze a wooden hut, Torsten calls over his shoulder: "The trail's namesake: the forester's outhouse!" Back at the car park and shaken to the max, not only are my brake discs glowing, but my forearms also feel like they're about to burst into flames. "Not bad, is it?" Alex grins happily at me.
In the evening, Alex swaps his jersey for a chef's apron and makes mountain cheese dumplings in the kitchen, while we meet Philipp Heinrich, the owner of the Prijut12 log cabin and driver of the Erzgebirge mountain bike region, in the restaurant: his father Lutz opened the first Alpinestars bike rental shop here in 1993 and organised the first Saxon downhill championships in the same year. "Back then, we mowed out a track on the Himmelsleiter, the northern slope of the Fichtelberg, and marked it out with tape. We were off and running!" reports Philipp, who himself has grown into the bike industry through his Leipzig-based company absolutGPS and was responsible for the international marketing of the Stoneman Challenge, among other things. "Beer?" asks Philipp, but doesn't wait for the answer and places two bottles of Specht on the table. "For each beer, five per cent of the proceeds from both the brewer and Prijut12 go towards building the trail on the Fichtelberg," he explains proudly. It's a point of honour that we don't order any water throughout the evening.
The next morning, we realise that we meant a little too much. Later than planned and with a slight headache, we follow our guides across the Czech border towards Plešivec. We need the entire 20-kilometre journey and the climb to the summit to clear our heads and appreciate what lies before our forks: Michal Prokop's shovel work. The former professional fourcrosser has immortalised his trail signature on the Pleßberg. It's rough and gritty here: steep stone slab and rocky Rockgarden passages demand everything from the rider and suspension. The largely unspoilt trails are particularly fun for advanced riders. "We're going to the flow trail Mecca at Klínovec tomorrow," explains Torsten, pointing his arm northeast at a viewpoint over the Scandinavian-looking sea of forests below us. Down in Pstruží, we pass the bottom station of the chairlift, which has almost as many guests in summer as in winter. But unfortunately Torsten waves us off: there's no time for a second descent. We still have a long climb ahead of us up to the showdown on the Fichtelberg.
Philipp sent us the coordinates of his new E-Line trail on our mobile phones - a harbinger of the new Fichtelberg-Sehmatal bike park. What a finish! We roll up to Prijut12 with big grins on our faces, but pretty famished. This time, Alex serves us a Russian solyanka in our bike jerseys, and after this long day's ride, we dare to try an after-ride woodpecker again. But no sooner have we finished our spoons than that whistle shrills in our ears again. No, this time I don't turn around, because I know what's coming towards us: the model railway that's doing its rounds in the Prijut12 and delivering the "Kurzen".
