BIKE editor Stefan Loibl rode across Bavaria - as often as he could on single trails. The BIKE community was able to follow him on the Deutschland Trail via live tracking, give tips on the route and ride along himself.
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I set off from Füssen at 8:00 a.m. on Monday, 10 July 2017 and made my way to the northern border of Bavaria. The aim is to ride through Bavaria on as many trails and MTB paths as possible - in the first part of the Deutschland Trail. Daily video updates and news can be found on our Facebook page. Below you'll find pictures of the highlights of the individual stages, and we've embedded the exact route to follow right here:
Day 1: From the border near Füssen to Schongau
Photo: Stefan Loibl Starting point Dreiländereck: We first had to crank up 300 metres in altitude to the border stone above Füssen. The tour then officially started at the German-Austrian border stone.Photo: Stefan Loibl The best company on the first few kilometres: Tina and Tina know the area around Füssen inside out and showed me three trails around the royal castle of Hohenschwangau.Photo: Stefan Loibl The highlight of the first day. Or even of the entire Deutschland Trail? We had to fight hard for the varied, technical trail descent from Niedere Bleick. Local Maxi Dickerhoff accompanied me to the panoramic summit near Trauchgau. We then rode via the Wieskirche church along the Lech river to Schongau.
Day 2: From Schongau along the Lech to Landsberg
Photo: Stefan Loibl We continued northwards from Schongau along the Lech Höhenweg. The long-distance hiking trail has some flowing forest trails to offer. From Mundraching onwards, I was accompanied by photographer Markus Greber and his wife. The trail yield from there was fabulous and almost 100 per cent! Always along the banks of the Lech, sometimes higher up, sometimes right by the water.Photo: Stefan Loibl Rudi from Buchloe stood on a meadow path and checked the live tracking. "There you are at last. You're Stefan, aren't you?" he said when we arrived. He had been waiting for us south of Landsberg and then showed us the most beautiful forest paths to the old town centre of Landsberg. There are some rewarding trails hidden in the wildlife park on the outskirts of the town. Thank you Rudi!Photo: Stefan Loibl Unfortunately, the guys from Fahrbar in Landsberg had to work on bikes and in the bike shop until late in the afternoon, so they couldn't join us on the bike. Instead, I had a coffee when I arrived and some valuable tips for tomorrow's route. Matthias (left) and Peter agreed that I shouldn't miss out on the trails in the western forests around Augsburg. I'm curious to see whether the extra loop will be worth it.
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Day 3: From Landsberg am Lech to Neuburg on the Danube
Photo: Stefan Loibl Just like yesterday, a first-class companion: I followed the "Romantic Road" along the Lech with local Rudi from RV Buchloe. It was still raining just before I took this picture, but the narrow forest trails near the banks made up for it. The Romantic Road, a top trail in disguise?
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Photo: Stefan Loibl To get from the Lech to the western forests just outside Augsburg, I had to cover a few kilometres on the road. At least my wet socks and gloves are dry again in the wind. You can already see Augsburg on the horizon, let's see how long the detour will take.Photo: Stefan Loibl Daniel, my guide to Ausgburg, on his home trails in the Augsburg - Western Forests Nature Park.Photo: Stefan Loibl After that, there weren't many more trail kilometres until Neuburg an der Donau. However, in the forests, like here near Pöttmes, I felt I saw more high seats than fast food restaurants in Munich. On the next stage from Neuburg, I will be accompanied by a member of the Racepiraten biker group. They know where the best trails are. Rudi doesn't want to miss out on that either. He will also be travelling with me :-)
Day 4: From Neuburg on the Danube to Beilngries
Another cracking stage on my #DeutschlandTrail: 119 kilometres and 2065 metres in altitude from Neuburg an der Donau to Beilngries in the Altmühltal. In the morning, two race pirates showed me the trails at the old castle. Then it was off on my own along the Urdonautal-Steig up into the #Altmühltal. Especially the last section past the rocky pinnacles of Konstein and Dollnstein is a must-do! After that, the Altmühltal-Panoramaweg wore me out with its steep ramps. But above Arnsberg, Markus from Denkendorf suddenly appeared. He pushed me on his CUBE Bikes E-MTB until just before Beilngries.
Photo: Stefan Loibl The guys from the Racepiraten from Neuburg on their home trails around the Alte Burg.Photo: Stefan Loibl Top trail shortly before Dollnstein.Photo: Stefan Loibl One of the many crisp climbs on the Altmühltal Panorama Trail. Phew!Photo: Stefan Loibl One of many wonderful views in the Altmühltal.Photo: Stefan Loibl The rock needles of Konstein.Photo: Stefan Loibl I savoured this for a long time in the afternoon: delicious pork knuckle at the Braugasthof Trompete in Eichstätt.Photo: Stefan Loibl My locomotive for the last few kilometres: Markus from Denkendorf. Merci for accompanying me!Photo: Stefan Loibl Sporty last trail through the rock gate near Unteremmendorf. And that after more than 110 kilometres and with 2000 metres of climbing in my legs.
Day 5: From Beilngries to Bad Abbach
Boy, was I looking forward to my home trails on day 5 of the #DeutschlandTrail. But my mates all let me down because they were shitting themselves over the Kelheim - Race 24. But I could rely on two readers! Thomas showed me a few nice detours away from Beilngries and accompanied me to Riedenburg.de. The rest of the way through the #Altmühltal valley I was then allowed to hold Max Simon's rear wheel. And it was totally worth it! The volunteer trail warden had some trails in store that I didn't know yet. After a quick coffee stop at the Kelheim Flo bike station, I finished a little early after 85 kilometres and 1700 metres of climbing.
Photo: Stefan Loibl Thomas, my guide through the Altmühltal to Riedenburg. Thank you!Photo: Stefan Loibl If only the road situation everywhere was as exemplary as in Riedenburg...Photo: Stefan Loibl On the Rosskopf in the Altmühltal. The uphill slog was worth it!Photo: Stefan Loibl A little later, we fought our way up the ladder to Prunn Castle.Photo: Stefan Loibl Maintains the trails around Riedenburg and knows his way around: my guide Max.Photo: Stefan Loibl You're in good hands at the Bike Station Kelheim. Thanks for the coffee, Flo!Photo: Stefan Loibl The last few metres to Bad Abbach were along the Jurasteig trail.Photo: Stefan Loibl A night at home. You have to celebrate that properly.
Day 6: From Bad Abbach to Schwandorf
Day 6: Probably the culinary highlight of my tour! After starting in Bad Abbach, I crossed the Danube by ferry in Matting. From Etterzhausen onwards, I was accompanied by Ole and Stephan Kappl from Regensburg. The slightly damp trails on the Jurasteig are always a real treat! At the traditional inn Zum Bürstenbinder, I fortified myself with "Bauchstechala" and organic wheat beer. This was also necessary, as company from the TV Burglengenfeld 1875 cycling team had announced their arrival for the afternoon. Päm, Josef Haimerl and Thomas chased me from summit cross to summit cross from Kallmünz. But one thing is certain: the 800 metres in altitude, some of which were steep, were worth it! After 89 kilometres and 1900 metres in altitude, I finished in Schwandorf. From there I'll continue on to Weiden in der Oberpfalz tomorrow at 9.30am at the Naab bridge.
Photo: Stefan Loibl The panorama from the Jurasteig, Bad Abbach on the left. I got there yesterday via the ridge behind it.Photo: Stefan Loibl Bike taxi in Matting: Bikers and their sports equipment cost 1 euro.Photo: Stefan Loibl One of many paths today - behind Schönhofen.Photo: Stefan Loibl Leo and Stephan Kappl - the morning riders.Photo: Stefan Loibl In front of the bear cave between Etterzhausen and Pielenhofen.Photo: Stefan Loibl If this weather station is right, the weather today was "catastrophic". In any case, we stayed dry.Photo: Stefan Loibl Proper carboloading in Kallmünz at "Zum Bürstenbinder".Photo: Stefan Loibl The three Vespas have already clocked up a few kilometres on the roads of this world. My Rocky Mountain Element looks good next to them, doesn't it?Photo: Stefan Loibl Thanks to Josef Haimerl, Päm from Girls on MTB and Thomas from the cycling department TV Burglengenfeld 1875 for the route to Schwandorf!
One more thing: don't let the live tracking confuse you. My wife picked me up and we dropped in on my companion Stephan at the "Meier-Ein Lokal" in Stadtamhof. Mmhhmm, delicious!
Day 7: From Schwandorf to Weiden in der Oberpfalz
A colourful group accompanied me today on day 7 of the #DeutschlandTrail: German Enduro Champion Leo from Weiden, Matthias Lenk from Windischeschenbach, Jana from the #Fichtelgebirge, Tobi from the Upper Palatinate and Simon from Pfreimd. At first, we followed the Naabtal in a relaxed manner, then from Pfreimd we took a feeder route to the Goldsteig. We then followed the long-distance hiking trail with a few detours to Leuchtenberg, partly on narrow paths along the Pfreimd. After a hearty refreshment and an appointment with the local newspaper, Leo, the ace of the descent, took over the reins. With constant ups and downs, we took on the most beautiful trails to Weiden in der Oberpfalz. And once again, 75 kilometres and 1432 metres of climbing were added to my total.
Photo: Stefan Loibl At the start this morning on the Naab bridge in Schwandorf.Photo: Stefan Loibl We rolled comfortably along the Naab.Photo: Stefan Loibl Matthias Lenk was there on his fatbike and knows his way around his home in the Upper Palatinate.Photo: Stefan Loibl Typical Upper Palatinate Forest: hidden trails on soft forest soil.Photo: Stefan Loibl We reached the Gasthof Maier in Leuchtenberg just in time. Enjoy your meal!Photo: Stefan Loibl Photo session with an editor from the local daily newspaper at the castle in Leuchtenberg.Photo: Stefan Loibl Leo on his home trails south-east of Weiden.Photo: Stefan Loibl What a view! We started this morning from somewhere at the back left...Photo: Stefan Loibl This is the GPS tracker that you can use to follow my route. It comes from GPS Live Tracking.Photo: Stefan Loibl The last major elevation before descending on trails to Weiden.Photo: Stefan Loibl Leo helped build the new enduro track on the outskirts of Weiden in der Oberpfalz.
Day 8: Weiden in der Oberpfalz to Tröstau
Day 9: Tröstau to Mödlareuth
It's done!!! In Mödlareuth today, after 71 kilometres and 1435 metres in altitude, I completed the first part of the #DeutschlandTrail. From Tröstau I fought my way up the slab in a wall of fog, sometimes pushing my way through a sea of damp granite boulders. On the way to Schneeberg (Fichtelgebirge), I slashed the sidewall of my rear tyre. Never mind, one flat tyre in nine days is something to be proud of. At the summit, the tyre was finally torn open and I was able to dry my sweaty jersey in the sun. The descent to Weißenstadt rewarded me for my efforts. I recharged my batteries for the second part at Frank von Fichtelrad. I turned my back on the Fichtelgebirge via a 5-star trail from the Kleiner Waldstein and headed towards Hof in Bavaria at the very top. I travelled along the Saale towards Thuringia. At the former inner-German border, I had finally fulfilled my target. Time to call it a day! Thanks again to all the riders and helpers, see you again for the second part. I will start in mid-September and cycle to the Baltic Sea.
Photo: Stefan Loibl It's the same ritual every morning: apply a generous amount of sun cream, apply sun cream and finish with a few drops of tick and mosquito repellent.Photo: Stefan Loibl Hard work uphill and downhill: the high trail through the #Fichtelgebirge is tough, but worth it!Photo: Stefan Loibl I got hit on the way to Schneeberg (Fichtelgebirge). A sharp stone slashed my side wall. But with a tube, everything was quickly okay again.Photo: Stefan Loibl My markings for the ninth day through the Fichtelgebirge: the white H on a red background, the markings for the high-level trail.Photo: Stefan Loibl Just as I arrived at the Schneeberg summit, the sun tore holes in the sea of fog.Photo: Stefan Loibl Very tasty: homemade bread and spreads at Fichtelrad in Ruppertsgrün!Photo: Stefan Loibl The forest trails on the Großer and Kleiner Waldstein are some of the best you can ride in the #Fichtelgebirge.Photo: Stefan Loibl Historic finale: my destination in Mödlareuth.Photo: Stefan Loibl Bavaria ticked off! After nine days, I can proudly say that the Free State of Bavaria is a mountain bike state! The bike community is extremely lively and there are good trails from Füssen in the Allgäu to Hof in Bavaria. It was an honour! Long live the #DeutschlandTrail.
