Castles, mountains, beer & trails – bikepacking in Franconian Switzerland

Mountain Biking Collection by Fränkische Schweiz

Tours

20:08 h

139 mi

14,625 ft

Completing a mountain pass on your MTB – this is top of the bucket list for many riders. The good news is, you don't have to travel as far as the Alps to find one. With its narrow trails, magnificent views and challenging climbs, Franconian Switzerland offers the perfect backdrop for your MTB bikepacking adventure. In this Collection, we present three short bikepacking adventures through the beautiful Upper Franconian mountains and hills. With your bike, your tent and your sleeping bag, you'll get closer to this beautiful region than ever before.

Although this region is not a mountain range in the true sense of the word and even though it doesn't offer alpine peaks, it has everything else to ensure you have an unforgettable bike-packing adventure on your mountain bike. You will find plenty of altitude in the stunning mountainous landscape, be amazed by the striking rock formations and impressive caves, and discover fascinating castles and palaces. In Franconian Switzerland accommodation and camping facilities are easy to find, which can be a headache in the Alps. Many small, family-run breweries along the route are also waiting to make your visit extra special. And, then there's the central location: whether by train or car - Franconian Switzerland is easy and quick to reach from all over Germany.

In this Collection, we have included three bike-packing routes that you can easily copy. The starting and finishing points of each adventure can be conveniently reached by public transport. At the end of each stage, you will also find a campsite or a rustic hut to sleep, such as the Lindersberg Scout House or the Veilbronn Nature Friends' House. The routes are all quite compact and, although there is a lot of climbing, they are suitable for beginners as the elevation is spread out through the day. If you want to ride further, you can easily "build" your own adventure by combining our route suggestions. This way, you can enjoy your personalised bikepacking trip in one of the most beautiful parts of Germany.

To make sure your bikepacking weekend is a complete success, you need to bring the right equipment, as well as make your sleeping arrangements in advance. We recommend booking your accommodation or campsite in good time so that you can enjoy the beautiful trails relaxed and stress-free.

On The Map

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
Etappe 1: von Forchheim nach Pegnitz – Bikepacking in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
03:11
19.8 mi
6.2 mph
2,700 ft
1,900 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
On this bikepacking tour you cross the Franconian Switzerland from Forchheim to Pegnitz. From west to east - more or less - with some dodges to the north and south, always following the beautiful trails. You will come through cozy, typical villages of the region, get to know crisp climbs and flowing…
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Etappe 2: von Forchheim nach Pegnitz – Bikepacking in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
03:34
25.1 mi
7.1 mph
2,525 ft
3,000 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
What could be better than being awakened in the morning by the rustle of the leaves and the singing of the birds? If you wake up in your tent on the large tent meadow of the scout house Lindersberg, exactly this idyll awaits you. Welcome to the Franconian Switzerland!

Today it remains idyllic. Right at…
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Etappe 3: von Forchheim nach Pegnitz – Bikepacking in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Difficult
03:18
22.1 mi
6.7 mph
2,275 ft
2,050 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
After a leisurely breakfast at the campsite, you're ready for the third leg of your bikepacking adventure in Franconian Switzerland. The goal of the tour is the train station in Pegnitz. Until then, all sorts of regional specialties await you: imposing castles, babbling streams, quaint inns, beautiful…
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Etappe 1: von Bamberg nach Buttenheim – Mountainbiken in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
01:53
12.2 mi
6.5 mph
1,375 ft
325 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Experience bikepacking, as it could not be more exciting and varied. From the UNESCO World Heritage Site Bamberg you dive into the idyllic nature of the Franconian Switzerland. You will enjoy fantastic views, treat yourself to all sorts of Franconian culinary delights and drive on beautiful trails and…
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Etappe 2: von Bamberg nach Buttenheim – Mountainbiken in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
02:34
20.1 mi
7.8 mph
1,625 ft
2,125 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
After the short warm-up stage, it really starts today. Around 32 kilometers through the Franconian Switzerland are waiting for you. As is typical of the area, it goes steadily up and down - flat passages are rather rare. The distance is manageable, so you can take your time and stop over and over again…
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Etappe 3: von Bamberg nach Buttenheim – Mountainbiken in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
02:56
22.1 mi
7.5 mph
2,125 ft
2,600 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
After a wonderfully quiet night and a delicious breakfast in the Naturfreundehaus, you are ready for the third and final stage of your bikepacking tour from Bamberg to Buttenheim. Today, about 35 kilometers and about 600 meters of altitude are waiting for you - that's a proper mountain bike tour. But…
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Rund um Untertrubach Tour 1 – Bikepacking in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
01:05
6.90 mi
6.4 mph
950 ft
925 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Advanced riding skills necessary.
Even from a distance you can see the cozy place Untertrubach lying in the valley. A few houses, a steeple and: Granny Eichler's campsite! Located in the middle of the green, it is the perfect starting point for a near-natural weekend adventure on the bike. Build your tent, swing on your bike and enjoy…
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Rund um Untertrubach Tour 2 – Bikepacking in der Fränkischen Schweiz
Intermediate
01:37
10.9 mi
6.8 mph
1,100 ft
1,100 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This tour runs south from the starting point in Untertrubach. It leads up and down, through idyllic valleys and over promising hills. A real piece of Franconian Switzerland on a compact 17.5 kilometers. Of course, the stop at a Franconian brewery just as little missing as a very special scenic highlight…
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