Saxon-Bavarian city network: Bayreuth - Hof 1a/4

This cycling route is not marked with its own logo. The tour itself runs on existing cycle paths as well as lightly trafficked roads and is also easily rideable in the reverse direction. 

We start our tour at Bayreuth train station. From Annecyplatz (approx. 250m south of Bayreuth’s main station) we follow the cycle route signage along the Fichtel Mountains Cycle Route (FG) towards Weidenberg to Untersteinach and further towards Goldkronach. At first, we enjoyably ride alongside the Red Main River, which now flows to our right. At the Holzlein mill, the Red Main branches off; our new companion is the Warm Steinach. We pass through Friedrichsthal, Döhlau, and Untersteinach. We are now in the Fichtel Mountains. At Untersteinach, we turn, persistently following the Fichtel Mountains cycle route, towards Goldkronach. 

We continue to follow the Fichtel Mountains Cycle Route. Passing Leisau and Gesees by Galgenberg, we meet the White Main at Bad Berneck. Originally, our route suggestion followed the currently signed Euregio Egrensis (which in future will no longer be signed) through the Rimlas valley. For safety reasons, however, we now recommend a changed route. For this, we ride the Fichtel Mountains Cycle Route to its end (Gottlieb Street/Kulmbach Street) and then turn onto the cycle path "Through Bavaria’s Stony Corner". This takes us via Gössenreuth, Heuleite, Gothendorf, Rohrersreuth, Marktschorgast through the Franconian Forest to Stammbach. Incidentally, at Gössenreuth, we also meet the Euregio Egrensis long-distance cycle path, which runs from Bad Berneck through the Rimlas valley and connects Bavaria, Bohemia, Saxony, and Thuringia. Adventurous cyclists can also take this shorter alternative from Bad Berneck to Gothendorf. We ride via Rohrersreuth to Marktschorgast and then on to Stammbach. Note: On the direct route from Bayreuth to Stammbach, the last train connection is at Untersteinach; the next station is again in Marktschorgast. From Bad Berneck, the next station reachable is only in Neuenmarkt. Some elevation gain on this stage is unavoidable - we are in mountainous terrain!

To reach the train station in Stammbach, we leave the previous cycle path at the corner of Blumenau/Kulmbach Street and switch to the Main Cycle Path. Just outside Stammbach, shortly after the level crossing, turn left to reach Stammbach station.

This is the first part-stage of Stage 1 Bayreuth - Hof. The second part can be found here: Saxon-Bavarian city network: Bayreuth-Hof 1b