Alternative starting point: Saalfeld / BahnhofHave you always wanted to bike to the Grossglockner?
With this route you create the same altitude difference in the Thuringian Forest.The journey through the Wittmannsgereuther valley is quite relaxed. This changes at the junction towards the Waldhotel Mellestollen. From here, 220Hm must be overcome over 2.5km. Sometimes very nasty ramps.
Then it goes down a little more quietly into the Schwarzatal.Once there, we climb the Johannisberg, which is already waiting to be visited with the Barigau tower. Back down into the Schwarzatal, the climb to Lichtenhain has to be mastered.Are you faster than the Oberweißbacher Bergbahn?
At the junction Mellenbach towards Lichtenhain you can undercut the journey time of the Oberweißbacher Bergbahn. This takes 18 minutes to Lichtenhain.The highest elevation in the district can be conquered with a few extra kilometers. There you will find the famous “Froebel Tower”.The way back is cycled down to the Schwarza again and demands everything again. A short break in the swimming pool "Auebad" is recommended.Once in Hoheneiche, you can look forward to a rapid descent to Saalfeld.