Birnbaum, a region situated at the intersection of Germany's Franconian Forest and the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park, offers a diverse landscape for outdoor pursuits. This area is characterized by dense woodlands, tranquil reservoirs like the Ködeltalsperre, and rolling hills that form part of a varied low mountain range. Its unique geography provides an ideal setting for several sports like hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, and more.
The Birnbaum region provides a…
98
Routes
4.6
(426)
Average rating
2029
People visited

4.8
(127)
516
riders
15.8km
01:10
300m
300m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(17)
63
riders
36.9km
02:48
730m
730m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.8
(29)
102
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(7)
20
riders
16.4km
01:20
190m
190m
Hard bike ride. Good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.
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4.9
(17)
336
runners
11.9km
01:18
190m
190m
Hard run. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

18
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

13
runners
19.4km
02:06
320m
320m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

7
runners
7.70km
00:51
100m
100m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(38)
114
riders
15.8km
01:09
300m
300m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(11)
27
riders
39.7km
02:28
410m
410m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.5
(11)
14
riders
51.0km
04:34
1,100m
1,100m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

5.0
(2)
16
riders
25.0km
01:45
380m
380m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.9
(9)
100
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(1)
15
riders
62.5km
03:16
900m
900m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

17
riders
69.2km
03:07
650m
660m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

5.0
(2)
17
riders
32.5km
01:41
470m
480m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.
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4.8
(19)
60
hikers
14.4km
03:59
250m
250m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(9)
24
hikers
4.86km
01:29
160m
160m
Moderate hike. Great for any fitness level. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.3
(10)
20
hikers
15.4km
04:17
290m
290m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
16
hikers
16.8km
04:50
400m
400m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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3
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(5)
2
riders
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
5
riders
33.4km
02:09
500m
500m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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The Birnbaum region offers opportunities for hiking, touring cycling, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and gravel biking. It is situated at the intersection of the Franconian Forest and the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park, providing diverse landscapes for outdoor pursuits.
A popular hiking destination is the Ködeltalsperre, also known as the 'Frankenwaldfjord,' which features an asphalted circular path approximately 7 to 9 miles (11 to 14 kilometers) long. Another notable trail is the 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) Geo Trail around the scenic Slate Lake at the Lehesten Slate Quarry Industrial Heritage Site. More hiking options are available in the Hiking around Birnbaum guide.
Yes, the Birnbaum region offers easy hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. The circular path around the Ködeltalsperre, for instance, has gentle inclines and an asphalt surface, making it accessible. The Lehesten Slate Quarry Geo Trail is also a manageable 2.5-mile (4-kilometer) loop.
Hikers can experience dense woodlands, tranquil reservoirs like the Ködeltalsperre, and rolling hills. The Lehesten Slate Quarry Industrial Heritage Site features steep cliffs, blue-gray slate heaps, and still waters. The region is part of low mountain ranges with diverse flora and fauna.
The paved circular path around the Ködeltalsperre is suitable for touring and road cyclists, offering picturesque views. The broader Franconian Forest and Thuringian Slate Mountains regions provide extensive cycling routes through forests and villages. Specific routes can be found in guides like Cycling around Birnbaum.
Yes, the Birnbaum region offers traffic-free cycling options. The asphalted circular path around the Ködeltalsperre is a notable example. Additional traffic-free routes are detailed in guides such as Traffic-free bike rides around Birnbaum.
The Thuringian Slate Mountains offer varied, undulating low mountain range landscapes with numerous mountain biking trails. These trails lead through forests and historical sites, with options ranging from moderate to hard. More information is available in the MTB Trails around Birnbaum guide.
Yes, the Birnbaum region provides opportunities for gravel biking. The diverse terrain, including forest paths and less-trafficked roads, is suitable for this activity. Routes can be explored through the Gravel biking around Birnbaum guide.
Key attractions include the Ködeltalsperre, known for its fjord-like appearance and peaceful atmosphere, and the Lehesten Slate Quarry Industrial Heritage Site, which features a unique landscape of cliffs and slate heaps. The region is also characterized by the dense forests and rolling hills of the Franconian Forest and Thuringian Slate Mountains.
The Birnbaum region has received an average rating of 4.63 out of 5 stars from more than 8,000 ratings. Over 31,000 visitors have shared their experiences on komoot, indicating its popularity among outdoor enthusiasts.
Komoot offers several guides for the Birnbaum region, covering various sports. These include Hiking around Birnbaum, MTB Trails around Birnbaum, Road Cycling Routes around Birnbaum, and Gravel biking around Birnbaum.
For information regarding the Franconian Forest, contact the Franconian Forest Tourism Service Center via their website at http://www.frankenwald-tourismus.de/ or by phone at +49 9261 6015-17. For the Thuringian Slate Mountains/Upper Saale Nature Park, information on theme trails and cycle paths can be found via their website.

