Describe a supertrail in Hamburg? I've been living in the supertrail state of Upper Bavaria for years! But as a professional biker, the Harburg mountains south of Hamburg were of course my home turf, that's true. A few years ago I knew every root there. I matched up with my training partners on the trails every day. But is everything still the way it used to be? On my next business trip to the north, I use the time on the motorway to persuade some friends from Hamburg to go for a ride together. And at least that works out like it did back then: it's a go. Tomorrow, Kärntner Hütte, 10 a.m. - as always.
The Kärntner Hütte is "the" meeting place for mountain bikers from the north. Oh, and landlady Elke still hasn't adapted to the name of her inn. Guests are still greeted with a hearty "Moin Moin", but Kaiserschmarrn and frittaten soup still taste like they do in Austria. If you turn up here at 10 a.m. on a Sunday, you will usually find a nice group to join for a ride through the Harburg mountains. However, there is no general discussion about the choice of route. There is a huge network of single trails across the hills with a few highlights that have to be ridden in a certain direction on every tour. There are no long descents or climbs.
Deserted paths in the Harburg mountains
Our first destination: Fischbeker Heide nature reserve. To get there, we turn right off the forest track towards Sennhüttenweg. Here you have to choose between a great gravel descent with a real hairpin bend and fast bends. Or the single trail immediately to the left: the path winds through the landscape as if a fox had created it on the run. In between, there are always roots, small ledges - and short counter-climbs. After crossing the Ehestorfer Heuweg, the trail continues along the Schwarze Berge wildlife park. I had completely forgotten how often you have to change gear here. The Fischbeker Heide: a scenic dream, no matter what time of year. Of course, this also attracts walkers, but we only pass the crowds briefly and quickly branch off onto a deserted path. Here, we just have to be careful that a herd of Heidschnucken sheep hasn't taken up residence around a bend.
Take the momentum with you
Now comes the best section, at the former military training area. The path bumps up and down and the root passages try to lever you out of the saddle. Downhill and uphill, you need real riding technique here towards Karlstein. If only so that the flow doesn't get too fast. I gradually got used to the "Harburg style" again: always keep the chain on, pedal and take the momentum into the next uphill section. It's a good thing that I've at least thought of wide, easy-rolling tyres. There's no need to be afraid of punctures or tyre-slitting stones here. Stones tend to be used here to mark significant points and elevations. Like the Karlstein. Shortly before the massive boulder, the descents become longer and more technical. Bends, steps and roots are often decorated with foliage. Then, getting faster and faster, we shoot through a magnificent combination of bends onto a wide but rough path.
Watch out on the single trail towards Paul-Roth-Stein! If you bravely take the puddles through the centre, the bike comes to an abrupt halt - because it is stuck in the mud up to the hub. A real downhill awaits at the granite rock called Paul Roth. Even with relatively long suspension travel and high speed, you have to choose your line very precisely and hold the handlebars firmly. After a few root carpets, I get everything out of the bottom bracket again, because the bends on the counter-slope were always nasty and sandy - perfect, I didn't get stuck! After that, the route continues downhill, winding around some trees and over small ledges. The path widens and curves out at some point. Here you have to pedal hard again so that the tyres reach their limits in the bends.
On the way back, it's worth climbing up to the Opferberg. There is a great view towards Hamburg. And on the last few metres, we take a little drop into the sandpit - just like back then.
