Karwendel tour
68 kilometres | 1838 vertical metres
"One of the most perfect bike tours", touring pope Elmar Moser once wrote about his "From Mittenwald around the Karwendel peaks" tour - even though it doesn't contain a single metre of singletrail. Thank goodness, you could almost say, because as it leads through the centre of the Karwendel Nature Park on the Tyrolean side, including its imposing rock faces, it would otherwise be forbidden for bikers. If the tour is too tough for you, you can simply turn back at the Karwendelhaus (25 km/850 metres in altitude). If, on the other hand, you want to enhance the panoramic experience, you can extend the tour to the recently renovated Falkenhütte and then ride back down into the valley at the foot of the Laliderer Wände.
Info: The great Karwendel tour is described in the "BIKE Guide Bavarian Pre-Alps - 30 top tours, Isarwinkel, Walchensee, around the Jachenau". Order right here>>
Orbit 360
16 times 212-323 kilometres I 2600-4580 vertical metres
The Orbit 360 project - Germany's first gravel series - was born out of the coronavirus crisis this summer. The idea: a large off-road circuit was created for each German federal state (i.e. 16 "orbits"), with a total of 4320 kilometres and 40000 metres of elevation gain. Ambitious cyclists could tackle the routes in race mode from July to September, and now the GPS tracks are simply available to follow. However, you shouldn't start without any sporting ambition, as the laps are on average 270 kilometres long and pile up 2600 metres in altitude. And the orbits are not completely free of pitfalls either. In any case, a suspension fork ensures more riding fun and comfort.
Info: All information including GPS data on the 16 orbits can be found at https://orbit360.cc/
Lüneburg Heath
219 kilometres I Elevation gain none
No climbs worth mentioning: the highest point of the Lüneburg Heath is the Wilseder Berg at 169 metres, and this tour, which starts in Celle, doesn't even have that in its sights. The Südheide Nature Park tour therefore leads along flat sand and meadow paths through the heath, through gnarled forests, past Heck cattle and repeatedly passes villages with half-timbered houses and cobbled streets. However, there are also some trail sections that are a little rougher. Many hikers are out and about when the heather is in full bloom (August to September). Now, from the end of September, it is less pink, but you have the paths to yourself again.
Info: Various round tours through the Lüneburg Heath, easy day and multi-day tours: www.lueneburger-heide.de. More trails can be found in the tour portals under the search terms: "Heidschnucken-Trail" and "Totengrund".
Baiersbronn
81 kilometres I 1696 vertical metres
Baiersbronn is one of the few enclaves in the middle of the Black Forest that has freed itself from the unspeakable two-metre rule and signposted trails for bikers. These are predominantly easy trails that provide plenty of variety on the large Karseen tour. However, the highlights of this tour are the eponymous lakes and the many peaks with their sweeping views across to the Black Forest National Park. Incidentally, many star chefs are trained in this region. In other words: top cuisine at a low price!
Info: The GPS data for all tours around Baiersbronn, from easy to difficult, is available at www.baiersbronn.de
Trans-Buchonia
284 kilometres I 6200 metres altitude
Since 2020, it has been available as a crossing with a focus on trails and "only slightly paved paths" (approx. 50 per cent of the route), as a paved road bike variant, but also as an easy gravel circuit: the Trans-Buchonia through or around the Rhön. Those who attach less importance to technical highlights should choose the Trans-Buchonia Circle. It crosses beech forests, stretches up endless mountain meadows and climbs the seven highest peaks of the low mountain range with 360-degree panoramas (highest peak Kreuzberg, 928 m).
Info: The Trans-Buchonia Trail measures just 146 kilometres and 2900 metres in altitude. Here you can take the train back to the starting point in Bad Kissingen (Bavaria). Info and GPS data: www.trans-buchonia.de
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
