These mountain bike trails in Germany can shorten the long winter months - until we can once again crank along dry forest paths and trails on our doorstep in our shorts. After the trail tips, four pros reveal where they will be biking over the winter.
Flowtrail Ottweiler, Saarland
Half an hour's drive from Saarbrücken, there are three built courses to choose from (blue, red, black). There are drops, earth berms, waves and tables. After 120 metres the fun is over. The ascent is leisurely on forest roads.
Bikepark Schienerberg, Bathing-Württemberg
The Schienerberg is located near Singen on Lake Constance. Here, the MTB club has created three routes (blue, red, black) with around 200 metres of climbing. All descents start at the same point. The highlight: the red line, which is full of stunts.
Freiburg im Breisgau, Bathing-Württemberg
The city in southern Baden also attracts visitors in winter with mild temperatures. There are five fun routes here for every ability level. For example, the Borderline with 450 metres in altitude. Or the Canadian enduro descent. Brand new: a pump track.
Kalmit, Rhineland-Palatinate
The Kalmit near Neustadt an der Weinstraße has a number of trails in store. It is often dry here even in winter. The area is often referred to as the "Tuscany of Germany". We often test ourselves on the single trails (approx. 250 metres in altitude).
Deister, Lower Saxony
The Deister, half an hour's drive from Hanover, offers two fun trails. One easy descent and one with lots of jumps. Both routes have around 100 metres of climbing. Those who combine passages will have even more fun.
Treuchtlingen, Bavaria
In the official Heumödern Trails trail centre between Nuremberg and Ingolstadt, there are five main trails to choose from (up to 130 m elevation gain). Most of the trails are aimed at families and beginners. There is also a pump track.
Where do the pros bike in winter?
Covid-19 is shaking up holiday plans this winter. We asked four professionals: stay here or go away?
Karl Platt, marathon racer
"It's difficult to plan. Because the travel restrictions change almost every day. But I want to stay at home anyway. Let's see if anything else comes up in February. I've always travelled to South Africa around this time for the last 15 years. For now, I'm going to enjoy the trails in the Palatinate Forest and on the Kalmit and hope for mild months."
Alban Lakata, marathon racer
"Normally I would fly to Mallorca around December/January. But in the current situation, I want to avoid flying. Of course, the south still appeals to me. I can get to Croatia quickly from my home in Austria, so maybe I'll go there sooner. Otherwise I'm hoping for lots of snow, because then I'll train at home on skis or on the roller."
Steffi Marth, globetrotter
"I had toyed with the idea of flying to the Canary Islands in November, but I decided against it. It's too delicate for me. Besides, maybe you should give it a rest at times like this. The last few winters have been so mild and there are some beautiful trails here too. Some parks like Schöneck or the Geißkopf are also open then."
Manuel Fumic, cross-country racer
"I think we've all realised since this spring that it's not so bad not being able to travel. It's nice here in Germany too. Admittedly: The weather is getting more uncomfortable now, but I still want to stay at home for now. If I travelled to a risk area now, I would have to go into quarantine afterwards. I don't fancy that. So I'd rather stay here."
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
