Rhön MTB Rundweg 1 | Dreistelz - Bad Brückenau

The Black Mountains are part of the Hohe Rhön and are the second largest nature reserve in Bavaria outside the Alps. That's exactly where I want to go and I spontaneously invite my two bike bros @Armin and @Jü 💫. Of course they're both there 💪🔝. Passing volcanic cones, beeches, juniper heaths, mountain meadows, diverse biotopes, amazing views and great trails, it was a top-class experience. Thanks to both of you, @Jü 💫 and @Armin, for this wonderful day together. And now see for yourself......🙋‍♂️

There are many ways to get started on this tour, but the ideal starting point is the Rhön Biosphere Center in Oberbach. This is not only due to the opportunities to end the day after the tour in a relaxed manner - for example in the café, the tourist information office, the exhibitions or the regional goods store of the biosphere center - but also due to the optimal route, which begins at this point and perfectly supports the energy reserves over the course of the tour. The tour starts with a gentle descent on the Rhön Express railway line cycle path, ideal for warming up. This is followed by a challenging uphill, one of the most beautiful and demanding in the Rhön. This section is both physically and technically demanding and is rewarded with an impressive 360° panorama on the 660 meter high summit of the Dreistelz. An observation tower also allows an even wider view of the region. From there the route leads into the Black Mountains, the southernmost mountain range in the Rhön, which reaches heights of over 800 meters. Here, some of the most beautiful single trails in the region offer special challenges. Three mountain huts invite you to take a rest along the way, while the surroundings impress with their pristine nature and a particularly peaceful atmosphere away from the huts - far away from any mass tourism. Another highlight is the section from the Kissinger Hütte. In addition to a wide view over the Rhön and the Grabfeld, there is a section of eight kilometers in length, over 300 meters in depth and a high proportion of trails. After reaching Wildflecken, the most demanding part of the tour is mastered. The tour ends with a relaxed roll-out on the railway line cycle path back to Oberbach. There, you can relax and review the day's experiences in the biosphere center. Source: https://www.rhoenfuehrer.de/aktivitaeten/mountainbike-mtb/mtb-rundstrecke-1-die-dreistelzrunde/26379

Seldom have I done such a beautiful tour where the trail portion felt like 70%. The tour is highly recommended, root and stone trails very challenging. The refreshment stops (Kissinger Hütte, Würzburger Haus and especially Berghaus Rhön) are very tasty. Thank you @Kcycle 🤩 and @Pit ti for this beautiful day in the Bavarian Rhön. 😘😎☀️

Our last Rhön tour on Sunday headed more south, starting at the Guckas Pass hiking car park, about 200 meters below the Kreuzberg. The first part of the route was very similar to the previous day, passing through the Feuerberg with the Kissinger Hütte, Tintenfass, and Berghaus Rhön, and crossing the Black Mountains—with a variety of entertaining🤩 nature trails: meadows, forests with roots/rocks...again very nice 😎. Shortly before Schildeck, we were delighted to find a very welcome self-service crate of drinks in a lovely hiker's log cabin. Although the temperatures here are somewhat more moderate, about 4 degrees "cooler" than in the Rhine-Main plain, it's still quite hot in the blazing sun☀️, especially when the forest isn't there. A seemingly harmless asphalt climb without shade near Mitgenfeld (KM 20) left me feeling pretty tired😏 in my legs and slowed our pace, so we increased the drinking breaks🤷. Luckily, the tour mostly led through the forest, otherwise the steep trail uphill to Dreistelz would have been pure torture – even with my pushing. After reaching the top of the beautiful observation tower at 660m (+ 16m tower), we relaxed and enjoyed the magnificent view, the refreshing breeze, and the provisions in our backpacks before cruising through a fantastic trail paradise down to the Staatsbad Brückenau spa for a beer garden stop. I would have preferred to stay in the spa park😇: chilled music from a DJ, inviting lounge chairs scattered across the lawns, and the cool water of the Sinn River in sight briefly dampened my motivation to cycle... Further along the Sinn River: on a cycle path, through forest passages and trails, as well as a particularly wonderful trail section💚 before Oberbach – narrow, undulating, and dreamily along the edge of the hill. The next few kilometers uphill were a bit uncomfortable and hot – but the hard-earned trail descent back down to the car was all the more fun. A fantastic, trail-heavy🙃 bike day in beautiful nature – and highly recommended for a follow-up.