The Upper Palatinate, a region in Bavaria, Germany, offers diverse landscapes suitable for a range of outdoor pursuits. Characterized by its rural charm, the area features low mountains, extensive forests, and a network of rivers, ponds, and lakes. Key geographical elements include the Upper Palatinate Forest, known for its deep valleys and varied terrain, and the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Natural Park, which presents unique rocky landscapes and basalt cones. This varied topography provides a setting for several sports like…
246
Routes
4.7
(22108)
Average rating
115753
People visited

4.7
(343)
1,337
riders
45.6km
02:49
360m
360m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(185)
708
riders
60.0km
04:06
350m
350m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(129)
583
riders
59.1km
03:59
190m
180m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(1001)
5,415
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(489)
1,592
hikers
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(335)
1,111
hikers
15.2km
04:01
130m
130m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.6
(182)
753
hikers
14.9km
04:48
640m
650m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(197)
843
hikers
7.32km
02:06
180m
180m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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4.6
(43)
143
riders
34.7km
02:26
480m
480m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(3)
17
riders
68.1km
06:11
1,900m
1,900m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.8
(133)
949
riders
24.4km
02:16
580m
580m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.7
(132)
644
riders
24.8km
02:29
570m
570m
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.
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4.5
(15)
85
riders
41.5km
03:04
420m
410m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(2)
14
riders
83.3km
06:43
750m
750m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

3
riders
61.0km
04:12
510m
630m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(11)
110
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.8
(80)
1,320
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.8
(65)
980
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.6
(33)
854
riders
64.6km
02:40
330m
330m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.4
(78)
842
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.5
(13)
868
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(8)
717
runners
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.7
(66)
691
runners
6.22km
00:39
20m
20m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(40)
662
runners
10.2km
01:03
30m
30m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(5)
21
hikers
9.60km
03:49
590m
600m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.8
(32)
78
hikers
8.56km
02:53
290m
290m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

5.0
(6)
23
hikers
11.5km
04:22
630m
630m
Hard mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.7
(21)
60
hikers
4.55km
01:28
160m
160m
Hard mountaineering route. Great for any fitness level. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.
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The Upper Palatinate Castle Trail — 9 days in picturesque northern Bavaria
Hiking Collection by
komoot
A cycling paradise in Bavaria – Altmühl Valley Nature Park
Cycling Collection by
Naturpark Altmuehltal
Six wonderful hikes around Bavaria’s Großer Arber
Hiking Collection by
Großer Arber - Bayerischer Wald
Discover the diverse Fichtel Mountains in Germany – 10 day hikes
Hiking Collection by
FrankenTourismus
The Upper Palatinate region offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, Jogging, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. There are more than 63,000 routes available across these sports. The region's diverse landscapes, from forests to river valleys, support a wide range of outdoor pursuits.
The Upper Palatinate Forest offers numerous hiking trails, including paths through the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Natural Park with its unique rocky landscapes and basalt cones. For a comprehensive overview, refer to the Hiking in Upper Palatinate guide. Many trails lead to the region's abundant castle ruins.
Yes, the 370-mile (600-kilometer) Goldsteig trail passes through the Upper Palatinate Forest. This extensive trail offers multi-day hiking opportunities through varied terrain and scenic areas. It is one of the longest quality hiking trails in Germany.
Easy hiking routes are available throughout the Upper Palatinate, often found along river paths or in less challenging forest areas. For specific recommendations, consult the Easy hikes in Upper Palatinate guide. These routes are suitable for beginners or those seeking a relaxed walk.
The Upper Palatinate features many family-friendly hikes, including flat river bike paths that are also suitable for walking. The Family-friendly hikes in Upper Palatinate guide provides options suitable for all ages. These trails often pass by points of interest for children.
Many hiking trails in the Upper Palatinate are suitable for dogs, particularly those through forests and natural parks. The Dog-friendly hikes in Upper Palatinate guide offers specific routes where dogs are welcome. It is advisable to check local regulations for specific areas.
The Upper Palatinate offers more than 115 cycling routes, including picturesque railroad cycle paths like the Bockl cycle path, Bavaria's longest at 32 miles (52 kilometers). Flat river bike paths along the Fichtelnaab, Waldnaab Valley, and Schwarzachtal are also available. More information can be found in the Cycling in Upper Palatinate guide.
Yes, the Upper Palatinate is recognized as a location for mountain biking, with trails suitable for various skill levels. The Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Natural Park is a notable area for mountain biking enthusiasts. The MTB Trails in Upper Palatinate guide provides detailed information on routes.
Key natural attractions include the Upper Palatinate Forest and the Northern Upper Palatinate Forest Natural Park, known for bizarre rocky landscapes and basalt cones. Monte Kaolino in Hirschau is an artificial sand mountain offering unique activities. The 38-meter high Rosenquarzfelsen (rose quartz rock formation) in Pleystein is also a significant natural feature.
The Upper Palatinate is known as the 'Land of a Hundred Castles,' with more than 600 castles and ruins. Historic cities like Regensburg, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and Amberg, known for its fortifications, offer cultural immersion. The Walhalla temple is another significant historical landmark in the region.
The Upper Palatinate is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 2.3 million visitors sharing their experiences. The region's routes have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from nearly 450,000 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for the Upper Palatinate, including 'Hiking in Upper Palatinate,' 'Family-friendly hikes in Upper Palatinate,' 'Cycling in Upper Palatinate,' and 'MTB Trails in Upper Palatinate.' Other guides cover topics like 'Easy hikes,' 'Hikes from bus stations,' and 'Dog-friendly hikes.' These guides provide curated route suggestions and information.
Yes, some hiking trails in the Upper Palatinate are accessible via public transport. The Hikes from bus stations in Upper Palatinate guide provides specific routes that can be reached without a car. This allows for linear hikes or access to trailheads from various locations.
The Upper Palatinate offers a network of roads suitable for road cycling, often integrated within the broader cycling route network. The Road Cycling Routes in Upper Palatinate guide highlights specific routes designed for road cyclists. These routes traverse diverse terrain, including scenic roads and less trafficked areas.
For tourism-specific inquiries, Oberpfalz Tourismus is the relevant body, with their official website at www.oberpfalz.de. For general inquiries, the main telephone number for a regional media company, Oberpfalz Medien, is +49 961 85-0. The official administrative website for the District Government is regierung.oberpfalz.bayern.de.

