New gravel rides in the Fichtelgebirge: 6 perfect rides through the granite labyrinth

Großer Waldstein, Großer Kornberg, Ochsenkopf, Kösseine and, of course, the highest peak in the Fichtelgebirge, the 1,051-metre-high Schneeberg: you can now enjoy gravel bike rides in the Fichtelgebirge too. If you skilfully combine the six highlight tours, you can also set off on a three-day tour through one of Bavaria’s most beautiful low mountain ranges.

Of spruce trees, granite and spring water

The mountain range is conveniently arranged in a semicircle. Once you’ve reached a vantage point, you can already see the next cycling destinations around you. In between, you pass idyllic little swimming lakes and quaint places to stop for refreshments in the forest. Incidentally, the drinking water in the Fichtelgebirge is exceptionally good. No fewer than four major rivers rise here from the granite bedrock: the Weißer Main, the Sächsische Saale, the Eger and the Naab. Whilst you shouldn’t fill your water bottles directly from the fenced-off springs, the water from the taps in the rustic refreshment stops is filtered and ready to drink.

However, the granite not only produces good drinking water, it also provides a surprising backdrop. Viewed from the outside, the Fichtelgebirge looks like any other low mountain range in Germany: a chain of hills covered in a dense blanket of forest. But if you venture deeper into this spruce forest, you’ll find not just trees, but also huge stacks of granite boulders resembling pancakes and other whimsical rock formations.

However, the mountain slopes are by no means easy going. Whilst the climbs are not particularly long by Alpine standards, they certainly hold their own when it comes to gradient. Time and again, 12 per cent gradients suddenly appear, causing brief spikes in your heart rate.

The 6 gravel rides in the Fichtelgebirge

There have been mountain bike routes featuring trails in the Fichtelgebirge for years. The bike park at the Ochsenkopf has also been able to expand its trails. Now, six gravel bike routes have been added, which, when skilfully combined, can be linked to form a multi-day ride.

1. Großer Waldstein

• Length: 65 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,315 metres in altitude

The circular walk starts in Weißenstadt. The route takes you along gravelly forest tracks to the Großer Waldstein and on to the Großer Kornberg with its Schönburgwarte. The route then leads through the rock labyrinth and past the ruins of Epprechtstein Castle back to Lake Weißenstadt, which may still be warm enough for a quick dip.

2. Ochsenkopf & Schneeberg

• Length: 73.9 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,931 metres

From Fichtelsee, the route is a fairly leisurely ride to Fleckl. There, the first long climb to the Ochsenkopf (1,053 m) – the region’s second-highest peak – awaits. After the descent to Bischofsgrün, there is another climb to the Wetzsteinfelsen. Here, you have the option of skipping the flatter loop around Gefrees and heading straight for the Schneeberg. At 1,051 metres, it is Franconia’s highest peak and, as such, a challenging climb. But the reward: a magnificent view over the entire Fichtelgebirge!

3. Kösseine Circuit

• Length: 67.5 kilometres
• Ascent: 1,424 metres in altitude

The Kösseine summit is the third-highest peak in the Fichtelgebirge, though on this lovely circular route the “Hohe Matze” (813 m) comes before it: From Fichtelberg, you climb this smaller peak via forest tracks and, on the descent to Tröstau, build up momentum for the ascent to the 939-metre-high Kösseine. Here, the Kösseine-Haus awaits – a truly lovely place to stop for refreshments, complete with a sun terrace and sweeping views. The descent finally takes you past the Luisenburg to the lovely Bad Alexandersbad and back to Fichtelberg via the Bayreuther Haus.

4th Steinwald Circuit

• Length: 29.6 kilometres
• Uphill: 692 metres of elevation gain

This walk takes you through the Steinwald near Friedenfels, with all its whimsical granite rock formations. Wind and weather have really worn away at the ancient rocks here, leaving behind a ‘Jurassic Park’ turned to stone in the forest: the Räuberfelsen, Vogelfelsen, Saubadfelsen and many more. The Oberpfalzturm stands on the Steinwald’s main peak, at a height of 946 metres, offering sweeping panoramic views. The start and finish of the circuit is the Marktredwitzer Haus.

5. Königsheide ·

• Length: 45 kilometres
• Ascent: 927 metres in altitude

The tour starts at the leisure centre in Warmensteinach and leads up into the Kropfbach Valley as far as Hirschhorn (beautiful views from the ski jump). The route winds its way up and down above the Steinachtal valley and, after a thrilling descent, into the Sophientaler Forest, where two challenging climbs await on the Königsheide, which you will now circumnavigate. The route then continues via Fleckl, the Löchleinstal and the Höllfelsen back to the starting point. A challenging but very scenic route.

6. Königskron

• Length: 32.5 kilometres
• Uphill: 923 metres of elevation gain

From the Bayreuther Haus near Mehlmeisel, the route heads initially towards Ahornberg. It passes through the area around Königskron, the Tauritzbach Valley and the Wurzbachweiher. Passing the Klausenturm, the route returns to the Bayreuther Haus.

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