The signposted cycle path network measures no less than 2000 kilometres, which is particularly suitable for families on old railway lines, but also appeals to athletes on challenging low mountain routes.
If you want to get to know as much of the region as possible, take the Upper Palatinate Forest Tour. This 253-kilometre tour combines several existing cycle paths into a multi-day stage trip to the highlights: Zoiglbierkeller, the deepest borehole in the world, medieval town centres, picturesque river valleys such as those of Waldnaab, Schwarzach and Murach, or the Renaissance town of Weiden in the Upper Palatinate.
Character:
Cycle routes are available for every requirement, from gradient-free railway routes to challenging low mountain routes, from day tours to long-distance cycle routes.
Tour tip: Bockl cycle path, 52 km, easy.
Route: Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab 9.2 km - Floß 16 km - Vohenstrauß 7 km - Pleystein 11 km - Waidhaus 8 km - Eslarn. The family-friendly railway line route through the Upper Palatinate Forest Nature Park is asphalted as far as Vohenstrauß, after which you cycle on a gravel track that is easy to ride on. From Pleystein or Lohma, the Bockl Cycle Route follows the same route as the Green Roof Cycle Route or Pfreimdtal Cycle Route to the border crossing at Eslarn - Zelezná/Eisendorf. The starting point is directly at Neustadt railway station. From May to October, the Bocklweg shuttle bus with bike trailer runs on the Weiden-Vohenstrauß-Eslarn route at weekends.
Best time to travel: Mid-May to the end of September.
Journey:
Some cities such as Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab or Weiden are easily accessible via Nuremberg. Cyclist hotline of the railway on 01805/99 66 33 (14 ct/min. from landlines, max. 42 ct/min. for mobile phones).
Bike service:
Addresses for bike hire and workshops can be found on the Internet at http://www.oberpfaelzerwald.de
Cycling hotels:
Tips on the Bockl cycle path include the Weißes Rössl inn in Floss http://www.weisses-roessel-floss.de
Gasthof zum Schwarzen Bären in Vohenstrauß http://www.zum-schwarzen-baeren.com
Further addresses under http://www.bettundbike.de and http://www.oberpfaelzerwald.de
Maps/literature:
You can get a good overview by downloading the "Oberpfälzer Wald Cycling Magazine" free of charge at http://www.oberpfaelzerwald.de
You can also order various cycling maps for the region in the online shop, e.g. "Cycling in the Upper Palatinate Forest - Cycling map of the district of Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab 1:75,000", price: 5 euros
Information (general):
Neustadt a.d. Waldnaab District Tourism Centre, Stadtplatz 34, 92660 Neustadt a. d. Waldnaab, Tel. 09602/791050, Fax 09602/791066.
