No other federal state has so many metres in altitude. Here are seven trails that you should have ridden - or absolutely have to ride. Spoiler: Park trails are also included.
Flow Country Trail, Bikepark Geißkopf
2.2 km I 240 m I Difficulty: easy | preferred bike: trail bike / all-mountain
The Flow Country is probably the most famous flow trail of all - and a real crowd favourite. The Brechsandbahn swings its riders down into the valley full of action. Those who push their bikes powerfully into the dips and through the numerous turns hurtle downhill at high speed and can double many of the bumps. Even advanced riders are constantly discovering new ways to play with the trail. This is exactly how flow should be. The trail has often been copied - but only rarely equalled.
Fakir 2, Kelheim
1 km I 113 m I Difficulty: medium I Preferred bike: trail bike
Kelheim now has an impressive range of trails. The best known is called "Fakir 2". The idea behind it: to pack as many changes of direction as possible into one descent - mission accomplished! Over a length of just one kilometre, there are around 100 bends that will rock you from one turn to the next. The natural terrain also has the odd root field in store and challenges even advanced riders at higher speeds. There are no big jumps, but small bumps provide some airtime.
Steinwald Trail, Fichtelgebirge near Waldershof
7.1 km I 550 m I Difficulty: easy | preferred bike: Enduro
The Steinwald Classic is just an appetising foretaste of a 30-kilometre loop full of natural fun. It starts at Marktredwitzer Haus - first you have to crank up 160 metres in altitude before the reward beckons: a full seven-kilometre descent. The natural trail winds its way over the finest, grippy coniferous soil, where you can leave the throttle on and don't have to constantly torture your braking fingers. You won't find any built stunts here, but the trail serves up a colourful palette of natural challenges: Terrain edges, earth banks, steep descents and tricky root fields. As the icing on the cake, imposing granite rocks keep popping up between the trees - real natural works of art that give the trail its unmistakable character.
Krappenberg Trail, Trieb
1.3 km I 130 m I Difficulty: medium | Preferred bike: Enduro
The town of Trieb near Lichtenfels is located in Upper Franconia. The Enduro One is held here every year - in plain language: real enduro terrain awaits here. Rough descents, stone fields, tricky bends and fast straights alternate. Sometimes tame, sometimes rough, plus waves and root passages. Particularly successful: The trails offer different variants with blue, red and black trail character. This means that the descents can be combined. If you want to experience the trails on time and with a flutter tape, sign up for Enduro One. Date: 19 to 20 June 2026.
Bernadeinsteig, Garmisch
33.3 km I 1285 m elevation gain I Difficulty: medium to difficult I Preferred bike: Enduro
The tour starts in Garmisch. You have to crank up a long and steep climb on a forest road - long live the e-bike! The start of the trail awaits above the Kreuzalm: first, the narrow path winds along the slope and gives you a breathtaking view of the Alpspitze. In the forest, you then have to master roots, overcome rock steps and negotiate hairpin bends. A real mountain trail with all its facets - super!
The further south you go, the more metres of descent await you - but also the more metres of ascent you have to pedal.
Isartrails, Munich
approx. 23 km I 200 m elevation gain I Difficulty: easy | preferred bike: trail bike or e-all-mountain
The trails along the Isar in the south of the metropolis have been in the headlines for decades. There are legal passages, but also forbidden sections. The existing sections are to be officially prepared at the end of the year. Until then, many Munich residents are drawn to the current trails for an after-work ride. A classic loop leads from the Marienklausenbrücke bridge to Grünwald and back again on the opposite bank. Although there are no long descents, the trail meanders undulatingly along the Isar - mostly rather wide, sometimes narrow. Experienced riders will nevertheless discover one or two tests of courage here.
Wurzelsepp, Oberammergau
1 km I 160 m I Difficulty: medium | Preferred bike: Enduro
This trail in the Oberammergau bike park is the favourite of many visitors. Despite its manageable vertical metres, it offers everything a complete mountain bike trail needs: jumps, steep descents, skinnys, drops, fast and rough passages as well as flowing changes of direction. The final bends are a little boring, but overall the Wurzelsepp shines with versatility and gets everything out of its length.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
