Water, rocks & trails — Mountain biking in the Fichtel mountains

Just one glance at the map reveals the huge variety of trails in the Fichtel Mountains that are waiting to be discovered. The low mountain range in northern Bavaria is best known among bikers for its bike park at the Ochsenkopf, a popular weekend destination with several downhill routes, a cable car and a well-equipped bike shop at the valley station. But the Fichtelgebirge has so much more to offer. In this Collection, I have put together a lot of wonderful trails into one big loop which will lead you through Upper Franconia and the Upper Palatinate in seven stages, including a stop at the bike park of course.

On this round trip along the Trans Fichtel Trail, you will get to know the Fichtel Mountains and the Steinwald with their panoramic peaks and cozy villages. The high trails and altitude gain are a challenge, but your effort is rewarded with wide views over beautiful landscapes. The stunning scenery, idyllic reservoirs, winding rivers, and warmth of the locals will stay etched in your memory for a long time.

A defining feature of the Fichtel Mountains are the rock formations, where you can enjoy wonderful views over the countryside. These impressive granite blocks impressed Johann Wolfgang von Goethe so much that he visited the Fichtel Mountains three times.

I also shouldn’t forget to mention that Marktredwitz local Andrea Köppel (aka. the ‘Mountain Bike Man’) helped me to plan these routes. He’s made it his mission to make his beautiful home more accessible to other bikes.


You can enjoy comfortable rest stops along the Trans Fichtel Trail as each of the seven stages ends in a village with places to stay overnight. The stages are relatively short, but still challenging due to the altitude difference. But, they are still feasible for novice bikers if you spread the route out over a whole day. Well-trained riders can manage the Trans Fichtel Trail in fewer stages. Nevertheless, you shouldn’t underestimate almost 186 miles (300 kilometers) and more than 19,685 feet (6,000 meters) of altitude difference.

I recommend taking your time and also planning some stops off your bike. The Fichtel Mountains don’t just offer beautiful views, they are also full of cultural highlights, tradition and customs. For example, you can learn about the history of mining and porcelain production en route. If you don’t feel like riding, the area is well-connected by rail with fast links to Nurenberg from the main station in Marktredwitz.