It Fichtelgebirge in North Bavaria, a complete network of mountain bike trails is being rolled out 450 kilometers. The routes are already available digitally; signage will be installed before spring 2026. The basic concept is as follows: Horseshoe trail, a 170-kilometer round that connects the entire region. Ten circuits of 15 to 50 kilometers are located around it, for both beginners and experienced riders.
Horseshoes trail – 170km
It Fichtelgebirge It forms naturally in the shape of a horseshoe, with peaks above 1,000 meters. That is where the main route gets its name from. The Horseshoe trail takes you on a grand tour through the most beautiful parts of the region, from the Felsenlabyrinth Luisenburg Until it Erika-Fuchs House (a strip museum, yes really). The trail is very demanding: narrow paths, technical sections, forest and rocks.
In addition, there are ten shorter circuits, digitally planned, each with its own character. An example: the Schneeberg Tour (73.9km, 1,931 meters of elevation gain) includes the highest peaks, the Ochsenkopf and Schneeberg. There are also 15km rounds for those who want to take it easy or travel at a mixed level.
Digital first
If you are looking for route boards, they are not yet available. They will be installed before the spring of 2026. Until then, you will have to rely on digital navigation, which we actually do as standard. All routes have already been integrated into the planning platforms and linked to public transport. Bus line 369 has bike carriers on board from May to October. Handy for point-to-point trips, or if you are having so many breakdowns that you can’t reach anywhere else.
For the cyclists, there is also something extra: thanks to the digital first approach, there is a monitoring system that registers the usage per route: how busy, which direction, what type of user. That information is shared with visitors.
Specifically: before your ride, you can check if a route is full of other route users (such as hikers and cyclists), and choose an alternative route.
Trail patter and reporting point – maintenance without hassle
For maintenance purposes, the region uses so-called Trail PatronsExperienced mountain bikers who monitor fixed sections of trail and report damage or obstacles via a digital reporting point, the Complaining about defects. Say: an app that prevents a swaying tree from staying on your line for weeks.
The entire network has been developed in collaboration with landowners, nature conservation organizations, hiking associations and municipalities. Funded through the Bavarian program Heimat.digital.regional, With a subsidy of €270,000, which covers 90% of the three-year project costs. Ferdinand Reb, director of the Tourismuszentrale Fichtelgebirge, said about this: “If the resident feels comfortable here, the guest will also feel welcome.”
And gravel then?
To be honest: the 450km network is a single track. It’s narrow, technical, mountain bike terrain. With a gravel bike you’re not at your best on most of the sections there.
But it Fichtelgebirge Furthermore, it has an extensive network of broader forest paths and river valley routes that are perfectly suitable for driving on gravel. Main-Saale cycling path (24.3km) runs over fine gravel with low slopes. The Wallenstein-Radwanderweg The valley of the rivers Kösseine, Röslau and Eger follows, ideal for longer gravel rides without technical difficulties. During the regional Bike Future Workshop (a kind of future workshop for cycling) gravel was explicitly on the agenda, including sessions on quality requirements for bike accommodations. The region is therefore deliberately considering this.
The region was previously known mainly as a hiking destination. Previously we had already written articles about the beautiful Bavaria region. Check them out below or look at our Biking in Bavaria page.
Overview of routes
| Route | Distance | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Horseshoe trail | 170 km | Head round through the entire region, high trail share |
| Schneeberg Tour | 73.9 km | Heavy, 1,931hm, along the highest peaks |
| Regional rounds (10x) | 15–50 km | Varied level, digitally mapped out |
| Ochsenkopf Downhill | 2.1 km | Downhill, 300m drop, rock gardens |
| Main-Saale cycling path | 24.3 km | Fine gravel, low slopes, gravel-suitable |
When are you going?
The digital routes are already available. Signage will be installed before spring 2026. The bus with bike racks will run from May to October. So, if you want to follow the signs, you still have to wait a little longer. Those who rely on GPX can already plan now. Here you find the link to the routes. We are going to explore a region ourselves soon!
Have you ever been to the Fichtelgebirge Have you been on the MTB or gravel bike? And do you know a good base camp where your bike is safe? We would love to hear from you!
Questions & tips
Do you have any questions about this route, or have you been there yourself? Share them here. We read everything and usually respond within a few days.