Geologically speaking, the Saaleland MTB region is part of the Thuringian Slate Mountains, which immediately adjoin the much better-known Thuringian Forest to the north-east. But it's definitely not just the mountains that stick in your mind, but above all the river that cuts through them. On the section between the former German-German border near Blankenstein and the small town of Saalfeld, the Saale has carved a spectacular canyon through the rock.
In countless bends and loops, the water makes its way northwards to the Elbe. Another special feature: a system of dams creates large lakes that lie in the landscape like branching fjords. The side walls of the river valley are between 100 and 150 metres high and the paths meander up and down them. Depending on the course of the tour, any number of metres in altitude and correspondingly many viewpoints can be collected in this way.
The 3 best MTB tours in Saaleland (Thuringia)
- Tour 1: Bleichloch reservoir (46.6 km | 912 m elevation gain | 4 h)
- Tour 2: Burgk trails (38.4 km | 579 m elevation gain | 3 h)
- Tour 3: Wellenbahn (34.7 km | 629 m elevation gain | 3 h)
Thuringia: Area information for mountain bikers
Arrival
The towns of Saalburg and Ziegenrück are strategically located as base camps for bikers. Saalburg has the advantage of a somewhat more open landscape at the Bleiloch reservoir. There are also additional water sports options. From Ziegenrück, you can also explore the trails in the direction of the Hohewarte reservoir. Travelling by train and public transport is inconvenient and time-consuming. Getting there by car: Saalburg is only a few kilometres away from the A9 motorway (Nuremberg - Berlin), around 25 kilometres north of Hof (Bavaria). From the west and east, you can reach the Saale Valley via the A4 motorway (Giessen - Chemnitz). Distance from Munich 315 km, 350 km from Frankfurt/M. and 290 km from Berlin.
Overnight stay
The region has so far been pleasantly underdeveloped for tourism, so the density of accommodation is manageable. However, the campsites at the Bleiloch reservoir are ideal for an outdoor holiday. The site at Saalburg Monastery with access to the sandy beach is popular. There is also a simple pitch for motorhomes. All information can be found on the tourism association's website.
Tips: If you've always wanted to live on a houseboat, the "Treibhouse" offers a unique opportunity. The floating flat on the Bleiloch reservoir offers space for up to five people. A dinghy ensures a connection to the shore. Info: Tel. 0151/42604314, www.treibhouse.eu
An alternative is the Gasthaus Zur Fernmühle in Ziegenrück. The house is located on the unspoilt banks of the Saale. Info: Tel. 0172/1043330, www.fernmuehle.de
Bike shop
Slickrock, Heinrich-Behr-Straße 7, D-07356 Bad Lobenstein, Tel. 036651/37186. In Uwe Kahmann's shop bikers will find the most necessary spare parts.
Guided tours
Lucas Rahm's extraordinary MTB tours could also be included in the bad weather programme. Because they lead through the tunnels of the Kamsdorf mine. The underground network is an incredible 250 kilometres long! Lucas also offers surface tours in the Hohenwarte reservoir region. Info: www.erlebnisradtouren-saaleland.de
If you want to be shown the trails around the Bleiloch reservoir, book a guided tour with Jens Kaufmann, tel. 0172/3616860, e-mail jk777@gmx.de
Area highlights away from the trails
SunMoonStars Festival
Once a year, all hell breaks loose on the Saale. Kraftwerk, the Chemical Brothers and David Guetta have already performed on the two stages on the banks of the Bleiloch reservoir at one of the biggest open-air electronic music festivals, SMS for short. However, the area around Saalburg Beach has to be shared with up to 35,000 music fans. After the 2020 edition was cancelled due to the coronavirus crisis, the rush at the beginning of August 2021 is likely to be all the more intense. Info: www.sonnemondsterne.de
Stop for a bite to eat
After all, the Thuringian Rostbratwurst, also called Rost or Roster by the locals, has become internationally famous. And it's fair to say that it tastes even better when it's made locally by the butcher. The best way to try it is in the traditional way, with a bread roll on the go.
The locals also recommend: delicious fish sandwiches and fried fish at the Fischkutter snack bar at Saalburg boat hire (www.bootsverleih-saalburg.de)
You can enjoy a sumptuous breakfast at the Wurzbacher Backhaus, www.wurzbacher-backhaus.de
For all other times of the day, the Saalburg beach café on the west side of the bridge (beer garden with lake view) and the regional cuisine in the Kranich restaurant are particularly suitable, www.kranich-saalburg.de
Bad weather programme
You can warm up in the Ardesia thermal spa in Bad Lobenstein, approx. 10 kilometres west of Saalburg, with all the amenities such as sauna, wellness and thermal baths. Info: www.ardesia-therme.de
There's also no harm in finding out a little more about the history of the Saale dams. At the Ziegenrück Hydropower Museum, www.wasserkraftmuseum.de
Marathon
The Fairy Bike Marathon is expected to take place again in Saalfeld in May 2021. There are various singletrail routes to choose from. The longest distance of up to 60 kilometres should not be underestimated. Info: www.feen-bike-marathon.de
Map
Topographic hiking map "Saale reservoirs" at a scale of 1:50000
General information
Tourismusverbund Rennsteig-Saaleland e. V., c/o Landratsamt Saale-Orla-Kreis, Oschitzer Straße 4, D-07907 Schleiz, Tel. 03663/421466, www.rennsteigsaaleland.de
Downloads:
You can download the complete Thuringia Region Guide from BIKE 8/2020, including all tour descriptions, as a PDF for €1.99 here. Why not for free? Because quality journalism has a price. This applies in particular to our area guides. We don't pay for them, but the opposite is the case: we charge for them - tens of thousands of euros every year.
