Green Roof cycle route: Through the Bavarian and Upper Palatinate Forest

The Bavarian Forest and the Upper Palatinate Forest are part of the largest contiguous forest area in Europe. Long-distance cyclists can therefore expect a lot of dark greenery, but just as many sporty climbs, which make the "Green Roof" cycle route the most challenging long-distance cycle route in Germany.

Demanding: Green roof cycle route

The steep ascent to the Arber mountain saddle "Brennes" in particular could encourage some cycling enthusiasts to switch to the bus. The Green Roof cycle route actually starts one kilometre before the Czech border in Nentschau. But this is no problem for cyclists, as they can reach the starting point from Hof via the Saale cycle path and Vogtland cycle path.

The route runs mainly along forest paths and country roads with little traffic. Only on sections in the Upper Palatinate does the route run along main roads due to the gentler gradient. The cultural sights along the Green Roof include the dragon tower in Treffelstein, the monastery in Schönthal as well as the beer gate and the market square in the old town centre of Cham.

GPS data

You can find the GPX track for this tour in the MYBIKE Collection on komoot

Journey:
The start and finish stations Hof and Bayerisch-Eisenstein are easy to reach by train.

Back to the starting point:
It takes around four hours by train from Bayerisch-Eisenstein to Hof with two changes in Plattling and Regensburg.

Tour combinations:
The route can be combined with the Saale, the Bockl-the Regental and the Danube-Rain Cycle Route, the Sumava Tour, the National Cycle Route and the Danube Forest Cycle Route.

Accommodation tips:
Hotel Amberger Hof in Bad Kötzting, www.amberger-hof.de
Gasthaus Bayerischer Hof in Waldsassen, www.bayerischerhof-waldsassen.de
Glass hotel in Zwiesel, www.glashotel.de
Hotel-Gasthof Rösslwirt in Lam, www.roesslwirt.de
Hotel-Schlossgasthof Rösch in Blaibach, www.schlossgasthof-roesch.de

Organised cycle tour:
Individual 8-10 day tour from Hof to Passau (500 km) including accommodation from 265 euros per person,
www.bayern-radtour.de

Maps and literature:
Interactive route planner at www.bay-rad.de/bfr/rw/rw_106.htm.
ADFC cycle tour map sheet 18 "Oberfranken /Vogtland" 1:150,000 ; ADFC cycle tour map sheet 23 "Bayerischer Wald/Donau" 1:150,000 at 7.95 euros each.

Information:
Tourismusverb.Ostbayern, Tel. 0941/58539-0, www.bayerischer-wald.de, www.oberpfaelzerwald.de

The article was published in Trekkingbike issue 5/2016.