Dolomite cliff faces, grottos, and caves

Our cycling round starts at Pottenstein market square, from where we set off immediately eastward on the main street and then follow Lohrgäßchen. To our right rises a wooded hill accompanying us along the way out of the spa town. On the left flows the Püttlach towards us. Soon we ride on a bike and hiking path through the shady Püttlach valley, which also contains numerous Stone Age caves, very popular among hikers. With a slight ascent, we cycle along the small river that winds through the forest in numerous small curves. Across a ford (1) we change banks and continue eastward. In some places, the towering dolomite walls framing the original landscape appear almost gorge-like. After a good stretch, we reach the Heiligensteg (2), where we again change riverbank and follow the meandering course northward. At the edge of the Hollenberg forest, the climb becomes a bit steeper, yet we easily proceed on the well-developed path. At a branching forest path, we finally leave the Püttlach and dense forest to the right onto a lush green meadow. The challenging ascent up to Hollenberg is rewarded with a wonderful view. At the top, we have the opportunity to dismount and take on the short climb to the summit and the ruin (3) on foot. Afterwards, we get back on the bike and descend the same way but then follow the road left, leading down to Herbstgrund. We continue in a brisk descent towards Willenreuth, which we reach behind a small hill. From here, we leave the forest behind and ride over farmland westward. Parallel to the forest edge, the route gently ascends until we reach the old Elbersberg chapel (4). The downward passage to the second noteworthy chapel is completed at a relaxed pace – the Hofmann chapel (5) awaits us behind a small hill on the left side of the path. Now a short climb remains before we can start the final descent to the destination of our route. The steep switchbacks lead us down to the town with a view of the imposing Pottenstein castle (6). Finally, we ride past Kunigunden church (7) on Pegnitzerstraße and the main street back to the market square, where our cycling round originally began.