The bare figures read like tour statistics after a weekend in the Alps: two countries, nine summits and 4,400 metres in altitude. Thigh torture at its finest. Far away from civilisation, through the lonely forests of the Ore Mountains. Honoured by the South Tyrolean ex-racer Roland Stauder. It was he who brought the vision of such a signposted loop for bikers to life. This happened back in 2010, in the shadow of the rugged rocky peaks of the Sesto Dolomites. Back then, Stauder piled up cairns on his favourite route, marked them and christened his 120-kilometre creation the Stoneman Trail.
The Stoneman Trail in the Dolomites as a role model
Thousands of two-wheeled pilgrims have accepted this invitation so far, without a map or GPS. On the panoramic trails of the Dolomites. Germany's knobbly-tyre faction can now look forward to the first offshoot of his planned Stoneman quintet. More precisely, the Saxon one. Because the Stoneman Miriquidi - as it is officially called - connects nine of the highest peaks in the Ore Mountains. However, the Stoneman owes the highest point of the 163-kilometre route to its detour into the Czech Republic: at 1244 metres, Klinovec towers above its German neighbour, the Fichtelberg, but only by the length of a maypole.
Interview with Stoneman founder Roland Stauder
BIKE: What role do the cairns play on the Stoneman?
Roland Stauder: At first I imagined marking 120 kilometres with cairns with the help of the tourism association. But that didn't work. I then marked the Stoneman Trail in the Dolomites by painting the green Stoneman symbol on the ground or on stones. In the Erzgebirge they are more professional now. They have marked the entire route with signs.
One, two or three days: how long should the average biker take for the Erzgebirge Stoneman?
The 2-day variant is certainly a big challenge for the average biker. But the great thing about the Stoneman is that three generations can complete the route. This year I had a 9-year-old girl and a 72-year-old biker on the Stoneman Trail Dolomiti who rode it in three days. And the race bikers compete again and again on the 1-day variant.
Instead of high alpine trails like in the Dolomites, most of the kilometres in the Ore Mountains are on gravel. Is this intentional or could it not have been realised otherwise?
I would have liked to have had more trail kilometres. The result is a compromise. Nevertheless, I am very happy with the final route choice.
The winners' trophies are produced in-house. How many have you made in total?
3600 units to date.
First the Dolomites, then the Ore Mountains: in which region will the next Stoneman take place?
My goal for the next Stoneman is Austria. I've already had initial discussions for Stoneman trails in Italy, Turkey, Switzerland, Spain, France and Sweden. A total of five tourist destinations are very interested. I have not accepted two potential routes due to the lack of trails. It's a long way to get alpine clubs, landowners, hunters and forestry organisations on board for a project like this. It's not so important to me to create as many Stoneman trails as quickly as possible. The important thing is that the ones that exist are good. I'm still not satisfied with the Stoneman Trail Dolomiti. There are still refinements to be made there. For example, marking the 120 kilometres with cairns.
What are the highlights of the Stoneman Miriquidi for you?
The mixed forests, the people and the Rabenberg trail centre.
All information and facts about the Stoneman Miriquidi in the Ore Mountains
The route: The trail The Stoneman Miriquidi connects the highest peaks in the Ore Mountains along the German-Czech border. The highest peak is the Keilberg (Czech: Klinovec) at 1244 metres. You can start at any point. The route is fully signposted, but you should have a map with you in case of emergency. If you want to enjoy the route without stress, it is better to plan three days.
The character: The majority of the route follows gravel tracks and tarmac roads. The trail sections are not particularly long or technically demanding. A hardtail is perfectly adequate. However, the many short climbs will test your fitness.
Maps: You will receive an overview map with the starter pack. Compass hiking map 806 "Western Ore Mountains", 1:50000, ISBN 9783850267250
Overnight stay: 13 guesthouses and hotels along the route offer packages of 2-4 nights - also with luggage transport. Prices: from 119 to 249 euros. All information at www.stoneman-miriquidi.com
Tours: The Stoneman is organised by several providers, e.g. www.bikeacademy-erzgebirge.de
Stoneman Miriquidi - 1st day
From Oberwiesenthal, you follow the narrow-gauge railway line for a while on wooded gravel tracks before climbing up to the Bärenstein. In the valley, you bridge the route to the Pöhlberg, which you climb on an old natural toboggan run. A fine single trail leads up to the Scheibenberg and a tarmac cycle path leads down. The 35 kilometres to the Rabenberg are peppered with 1000 metres of elevation gain. After the lower reservoir in Markersbach, you have to push briefly. Another crisp uphill awaits before Rittersgrün. At the Czech border, you climb the ridge to the Rabenberg.
Retreat: Berghotel Pöhlberg or Berggasthof Scheibenberg
Stoneman Miriquidi - 2nd day
The trail descent from the Rabenberg is followed by a gentle climb to the Auersberg. After Johanngeorgenstadt, the route crosses into the Czech Republic. From the Blatenský vrch plateau, the route descends to Abertamy, before climbing along a ski slope to Plešivec. A long gravel descent is followed by an asphalt ascent that ends with some nice trails in Jáchymov. Now the longest ascent of the Stoneman awaits: the 600 metres in altitude to Klinovec. First you ride up a nice trail, then down. From Boží Dar it is only a few metres up to the Fichtelberg before a meadow path leads to the starting point.
Retreat: Inns in Johanngeorgenstadt and Jáchymov.
The entire article and the GPS data for the Stoneman Miriquidi you will find below as free download.
