INFO
The precinct
With summit heights of around 500 metres, Franconian Switzerland is more of a medium-sized low mountain range. At 626 metres, the Kleiner Kulm, the highest peak, rises only slightly above this. Nevertheless, the region is a true outdoor paradise. Here you will find ideal conditions for almost every outdoor sport, especially for mountain bikers. The Franconian Switzerland Nature Park is criss-crossed by a dense network of field, forest and hiking trails. But most of the laps are challenging. Although the climbs are rarely longer than 150 metres in altitude at a time, they are often extremely steep. You have to reckon with gradients of over 20 per cent. Downhill, the picture is similar. There are many trails that are very easy to ride, on which beginners and leisure riders will also get their money's worth. However, quite often the trails are also paved with rough rock and root passages, or lead steeply downhill and challenge you with tight hairpin bends or even steps.
You can download the entire article and the GPS data for these three BIKE tours in the download area below:
- Pottenstein-Püttlachtal (28.9 km | 520 m elevation gain | 3:45 h)
- Wiesent loop (39.7 km | 870 m elevation gain | 5 h)
- Raben loop (25.5 km | 330 m elevation gain | 3:15 h)
Travelling by train
The regional trains have sufficient transport capacity for bicycles. Behringersmühle, the starting point of the tours described here, can also be reached by train. From Ebermannstadt, only the museum railway Dampfbahn Fränkische Schweiz (historical trains with steam or diesel locomotives) operates. This service is popular with hikers. Bike transport is problematic. Info: www.vgn.de and for the steam railway: www.dampfbahn.net
Travelling by car
Behringersmühle is 50 kilometres from Nuremberg and can be reached via the A9, A73 or B2 in just under an hour.
Guided tours
The Bremsspur bike school based in Erlangen offers a regular programme of riding technique courses and camps in Franconian Switzerland. Bike weeks or weekends with guided tours can also be booked there. The guides know the area like the back of their hand and can adapt the level of the tours to the ability level of the participants at any time. Info: www.bremsspur-bergradsport.de
Literature / Map
"Bikeguide Franconian Switzerland + Steigerwald" by Thomas Arnold is now in its seventh edition. A total of 85 tours are clearly described and catalogued. The GPS data is available on the enclosed CD ROM. Price: 29.90 euros, info: www.madmediaworks.de
You can also download the guide as a digital app for your smartphone for 16.99 euros (iOS version, the Android app is currently being revised and is offline). Topo map: Fritsch hiking map sheet 53 "Franconian Switzerland Nature Park", scale 1:50000, price: 9.50 euros.
Bike shop
A well-stocked bike shop, also with riding technique courses and guided tours, awaits you in nearby Pegnitz: Radiaktiv, www.radioaktiv-bikes.de
General information
Information on accommodation and other addresses is available from the Franconian Switzerland tourist information centre, www.fraenkische-schweiz.com or www.frankentourismus.de
SCENE HIGHLIGHTS
Open day for distilleries and breweries
Franconian Switzerland is known for its numerous private breweries and schnapps distilleries, among other things. Around the Walberla mountain, not far from Forchheim, an open day is organised once a year at the beginning of October. Here you can see the quality of these local specialities for yourself. But perhaps better after biking. Info: www.walberla.de
Sport climbing
The region is an internationally renowned climbing area. There are thousands of well-secured climbing routes of all levels of difficulty on the many cliffs up to 30 metres high. In addition to the Jura limestone crags with holes of optimum quality, the Franconian Jura also owes its fame to redpoint climbing. Climbing in its modern form was first propagated here by a group of pioneers led by Kurt Albert and eventually became established everywhere. Info: www.frankenjura.com/klettern
Kayaking / river hiking
River kayaking is also very popular on the rivers of Franconian Switzerland, especially the Pegnitz and Wiesent. The offer ranges from easy white water to family-friendly tours. This is a great alternative to biking, especially in summer, when your legs might be sore. There are various providers who pick you up at the end of the tour by shuttle bus and take you back to the starting point. Possible starting points in this region are Behringersmühle and Waischenfeld. Info: www.kajak-mietservice.de and www.leinen-los.de
You can find the complete area guide including tour descriptions and GPS data in BIKE 12/2019. The PDF version of the area guide costs 1.99 euros. Why not free of charge? Because quality journalism has a price. In return, we guarantee independence and objectivity. This applies in particular to the area guides in BIKE. We don't charge for them, but the opposite is the case: we do charge for them - hundreds of thousands of euros every year.
You can read the entire digital edition in the BIKE app (iTunes and Google Play) or the print edition in the DK shop reorder - while stocks last:
