Saarland is neither large nor does it have any mountains worth mentioning. Nevertheless, the mountain bike areas, trails and MTB tours there could not be more different. In our special, we present the best MTB trails and bike tours in Saarland:
St. Ingbert - Coal mining has left its mark: one of the most trail-filled and best signposted marathon MTB tours in Germany
Freisen in the Sankt Wendel region - Where the Grüne Hölle Freisen association is at home, a trail centre is growing that is very similar to the Scottish models
Flowtrail Ottweiler - A firm institution since 2012. Four kilometres of downhill trails on the Betzelhübel with all the gimmicks that only bike parks usually offer
Neunkirchen - After 20 years of re-naturalisation, the deciduous forests around the Reden coal mine are now also set to sprout MTB trails
Perl - Vines, Roman villas and an MTB trail centre just like in the Czech Republic. Unlimited biking fun in the border triangle with France and Luxembourg
Saarbrücken - The city of Saarbrücken opened a total of 14 trails for mountain bikers in February. Our trail tour connects six of them
There are trails for all preferences in Saarland
When bikers return from a tour of the Saarland, there is one question that is asked time and time again: "So, which spot is the best?" The good thing is that the answer is always different. Depending on who asks. A marathon racer who likes fast trails and wants to go the distance is sent to St. Ingbert on the Pur routes. Perhaps even in July, when the Saarschleifen Bike Marathon takes place in the region. Even in bad weather: the sandstone soil dries the quickest here.
Mountain bike families with children are sure to have the most fun in the Vineyards of Perl. Here, the little ones can let off steam on the pump track and the super trails in the Meeswald forest, while their parents can enjoy long loops high above the Moselle. Those looking for enduro MTB fun, on the other hand, should visit the The green hell of Freisen head for. The highest mountains with long descents and a professional route shape await you here, as well as tours with easier, great trail entertainment. Or the 14 MTB trails around Saarbrückenwhich are now completely legal thanks to the commitment of the mountain bike club founded in 2020.
After Neunkirchen is not visited for the trails, but because of its mining scenery, which Mother Nature is reclaiming with all her might. And if you are travelling there on the main road: Stop at the Flowtrail OttweilerSaarland's MTB spot with bike park equipment! In the end, a road trip to all the MTB areas in Saarland might be the best idea after all. Then a visit to the landmark, the Saarschleife, is also included.
The density of MTB trails in Saarland underestimated
An MTB tour with 44 per cent trail content and a tour length of 53 kilometres - found in Germany! More precisely, in St. Ingbert in Saarland, in the centre of the Bliesgau biosphere reserve. A protected area from which mountain bikers are traditionally excluded. Here, however, seamless signposting even officially encourages you to ride the trails.
Despite all the joy, Saarland's best mountain bike trails and tours four days, I was also a little ashamed along the way. Some of these tours have been around since 2007, and although I'm now really into MTB trails full-time, I hadn't even had the Saarland on my radar. How did that happen?
Perhaps because the small federal state on the western edge of the republic does not particularly stand out in terms of relief. The highest peak is the Dollberg, and at 695 metres, it already has one foot on its northern neighbours in Rhineland-Palatinate. But perhaps the Saarland simply went under because it was overlooked by renowned bike areas such as Palatinate Forest, Vosges Mountains, Luxembourg and Hunsrück is virtually surrounded.
Ultimately, it was the Saarlanders themselves who literally nudged us into their goldmine. Kilometres of nature trailsThe network of paths, created by the miners who once had to get to the coal mines through the woods. Or the network of paths that were trodden between the wartime bunkers near the border with France. It's all still there: cherished, maintained and signposted.
In the Sankt Wendel region around Freisen, even trail-building pro Nico Reuter has been allowed to let off steam for some time now. He is tasked with sprucing up existing trails with tables, jumps and sharkfins, as well as New trails in the forest to create. A few kilometres have already been covered. These are all trails that you would otherwise only find in a Scottish Trail centre would suspect.
And why do you make such a Legal mountain bike paradise when you see how hard bikers in other federal states have to negotiate for individual single trails? A question that amazes my guide in St. Ingbert: "Why, our tour is even called the Pur-Route. So: pure trails!" We have compiled this and other aha moments in this series of articles about the Saarland.
The best MTB spots in Saarland
Fun fact: Even Switzerland is almost 16 times bigger than the Saarland. But you can cycle round Saarland in under ten hours. At least that's what the fastest racing cyclists on the "Saarlandschwein" website's Hall of Fame list seem to be able to do. This cycle route measures 300 kilometres and 3600 metres in altitude and is already close to the state border.
400-kilometre trail route along the national border in planning
And this is exactly the kind of route around Saarland that those responsible for tourism have now planned for mountain bikers. The route was scouted by Sascha Schwindling. The sports scientist, who holds a doctorate, paid attention to a high proportion of trails and also ventured deeper into the neighbouring forests of Rhineland-Palatinate and France. The planned route measures almost 400 kilometres and has been passed on to the relevant authorities for approval. If everything goes smoothly, signposting can begin in 2023.
Own tour app
All Saarland tours with GPS data including emergency call function and "defect detective" for e.g. fallen trees are available free of charge on Google Play and in the Apple App Store. All information: www.urlaub.saarland
Saarschleifen Bike Marathon
The bike marathon, which passes the state's landmark of the same name, is popular beyond the borders - not least because of its high trail content. The large mass start event has various route lengths to choose from and registration for 2023 is already underway: the next Saarschleifen Bike Marathon will take place on 30 July 2023. All information: www.saarschleifen.bike
Saarland cuisine
The Romans were already building on the slopes of the Upper Moselle Wine to. Grape varieties that are still cultivated by a few traditional wineries in Perl today. A particularly shell limestone soil gives these Elbling wines their own character.
This is what Saarland cuisine is known for: Potato dishes and pot roast. The latter is practically a pickled pork neck steak that is grilled on a swivelling grid.
"Dog's arse" - also a speciality that the Romans once brought to Saarland. These are the fruits of the wild medlar trees (similar to rose hips), which are still boiled down into jelly or distilled into schnapps today.
If it can be a little more refined: The Saarland also serves seven Star chefs Haute cuisine.
Trail builder Nico Reuter builds MTB trails in Saarland
After the construction of the two new "Höllodrom" lines in his old home town of FreisenNico Reuter can continue digging a few kilometres further west in the district of St. Wendel: Three bike trails are currently being built on the Peterberg (584 m), a former ski mountain near Braunshausen, which should be ready by spring 2023. If everything goes well and the weather cooperates, you will also be able to do laps on a tarmac pump track by then. At the same time, a permanent cross-country training track is being marked out in Mandelbachtal, east of Saarbrücken.
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Gitta Beimfohr
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