A - for Adorf or beginning, perhaps that is why the small Vogtland town is the starting point of the Musikantenradweg. After all, it doesn't really matter where you start the 115-kilometre circular route. The "capital of the Musikwinkel", Markneukirchen, would also be a good place to start. There is a shortcut to Erlbach here, which would allow you to split the route into two more leisurely stages. Because - this much in advance - the Musikantenradweg has it all. Sporty and, of course, musical.
Get ready, start cycling
Before setting off, we recommend a musical "refuelling session" in the musical instrument museum in Markneukirchen: After the tour, you will have seen hundreds of instruments, heard quite a few and learnt a lot about the tradition of musical instrument making in the region. Then your head is full and your legs demand their due. They get their due over the next few kilometres, as the route climbs steeply uphill out of the Schwarzbach valley. The next destination is Schöneck and it is not without reason that the town is nicknamed the "Balcony of the Vogtland". The view is phenomenal, but you guessed it: the village is a long way up. If your sporting ambitions are not so high, an e-bike is a good choice here and on the entire circular route.
If required, the battery provides as much "tailwind" as necessary - the ascent and descent becomes pure pleasure. Here's a tip from the "e-bike etiquette": When "pedalling uphill", it's not appropriate to wave at other cyclists who are struggling uphill with their calves. But seriously aside - with or without an electric drive, the landscape is a delight. Especially when the path behind Kottenheide leads rapidly downhill to Klingenthal. Harmonicas and accordions have been masterfully made here since the middle of the 19th century. Particularly worth seeing in the town: the modern ski jump "Sparkasse Vogtland Arena", which brings the elite of ski jumping to the Vogtland in winter and offers a marvellous view in summer. The Klingenthal district of Zwota is familiar to music connoisseurs as the centre of harmonica making, to which a museum is dedicated here. Cyclists, on the other hand, know that it gets pretty steep here again. The cycle path leads to an altitude of over 600 metres before it rolls into the idyllic valley to Erlbach with its more than 30 workshops for plucked, string and wind instrument making. Here the question arises: shortcut to Markneukirchen or take the southern loop for another 50 kilometres?
Wellness ahead
If you are still on the southern Musicians' Cycle Route, you can take your first break in nearby Landwüst and enjoy a time travel trip into the history of the local "If required, the battery provides as much 'tailwind' as necessary." Violin maker in Markneukirchen below. Enjoying the villages. Then the "spa stage" begins, as there are two Saxon state spas to choose from for a little wellness session: Bad Brambach and Bad Elster.
Refreshing bathing areas and experienced masseurs are available in both places and the elevation profile also eases from Bärendorf, south of Bad Brambach. From Bad Elster, it is then only a leisurely stone's throw to Adorf. This was the home of the Trampeli organ-building dynasty and the "Klein Vogtland" miniature exhibition centre shows visitors their next cycling destinations in the region. Cyclists can then take their time to think about this on the last few kilometres to Markneukirchen.
Information on
Musicians' cycle path
- Start and finish: Adorf
- Route length: 115 km circular route
Route character
Easy to challenging, mountainous forest and field paths, mountain bike recommended, e-bike tip.
Accommodation recommendation
You can find more information on "Bed + Bike" accommodation at www.vogtlandtourismus.de/urlaub-buchen/unterkuenfte/bett-bike.html.
Worth seeing
- "Sparkasse Vogtland Arena" in Klingenthal - one of the most modern ski jumping facilities in the world - with annual World Cup ski jumping events
- Zwota harmonica museum
- Music town Markneukirchen - Vogtland Musical Instrument Making Experience
- Markneukirchen Musical Instrument Museum exhibits the world's largest playable violin
Active & Vital
- Saxon State Spas Bad Elster and Bad Brambach
- Bad Elster: new brine thermal baths and sauna world, bathing and sauna landscape in the historic
Albert Bad, historic spa gardens, King Albert Theatre etc.
- Bikewelt Schöneck - mountain bike and bike park
Further route suggestions
- Cycle: Elster cycle path, Göltzschtal cycle path, Erzgebirge/Vogtland ridge tour, Mulde cycle path
Bike service
Movelo: Network of hire stations for electric bikes in the Vogtland region, information on Movelo e-bike hire stations
and e-bike travel offers can be found at www.vogtland-tourismus.de or www.movelo.com.
Literature/Maps
Vogtland Tourism Association at www.vogtlandtourismus.de (online brochure shop).
General information
Tourismusverband Vogtland e. V.
Göltzschtalstraße 16
08209 Auerbach
+49 (0)3744 18886-0
www.vogtland-tourismus.de
Booking service Vogtland
+49 (0)3744 19449
Buchungsservice@VVVogtland.de
