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Franconian Forest
Attractions in the Franconian Forest
Highlights
52 km of pure MTB emotions: a well-signposted route through the Thuringian Slate Mountains, along the Thuringian Sea, and with varied sections on ...
The European long-distance path E6 is an ambitious project that is intended to run continuously from northern Finland to Turkey. On the German ...
Over 450 kilometers of signposted bike route that crosses the legendary Rennsteig multiple times and leads via numerous loops from Hörschel to ...
On the bright shore of the Saale... Romantic castles, nature, and wine: The 409-kilometer-long Saale cycle path is one of the most charming and ...
The hiking trail leads you at different heights through the beautiful Sormitz valley. Accompany the Sormitz downstream from its source in Wurzbach ...
Over nearly 500 km, the Frankenweg takes us from northern Franconia on 21 exciting stages to the Altmühltal Nature Park.
The Slate Trail connects interesting geotopes, technical monuments and museums that have emerged in the historical mining areas in the Thuringian ...
In the middle of the Franconian Forest, east of Kulmbach, near Stadtsteinach is one of Bavaria's most beautiful geotopes. This natural monument is ...
Over almost 500 km, we hike on the Franconian Mountain Route through the Franconian Forest Nature Park, the Fichtel Mountains, Franconian ...
The Rennsteig-Xtrem-Marsch is the crown of a Rennsteig hike and is considered one of the coveted goals that a hiker must have completed during ...
Discover the region
Forests, meadows, culture and tradition
The Franconian Forest belongs to the Thuringian-Franconian low mountain range and borders on the Thuringian Slate Mountains in the northwest, the Hofer Land in the east, the Fichtel Mountains in the southeast and the Obermainische Hügelland in the south. The low mountain range is characterized by three types of landscape: cleared plateaus, forested slopes and meadow valleys.
The forests, once dominated by copper beech and fir, are now divided into spruce monocultures, neat and tidy but at the same time gloomy and mysterious, and sparse deciduous forests or diverse mixed forests. Thus, there is actually no such thing as “the” Franconian Forest, because the experience differs depending on the forest area as well as the time of year or even the time of day.
Numerous narrow valleys crisscross the Franconian Forest, leading along streams and rivers, revealing wide meadows, sometimes interspersed with rocks. The meadows occupy large areas of the territory and differ greatly in their forms. On the mountain meadows – which, by the way, extend into the valleys – grow medicinal and aromatic herbs, but also colorful flowers, and the wet meadows are protected as biotopes. Where no agriculture can be practiced, rough grasslands grow.
Not only impressive nature can be found in the Franconian Forest, but also the cultural landscape holds some highlights. Well-preserved fortified churches, fortresses, historic old towns and churches worth seeing attract lovers of architecture and history.
But the traditions are very special: Timber rafting, once an important branch of industry, is still practiced today as a tradition and for tourist purposes. In the upper Franconian Forest you can discover hand weaving and in the Rennsteig region you can find glass and porcelain production. Charcoal burning and slate mining point to the mineral resources of the mountains, and in visitor mines you can experience mining up close. And to get to know the people of the Franconian Forest, agrotourism is a good option.
Hiking experiences in the Franconian Forest
Hikers enjoy an extensive network of hiking trails in the Franconian Forest with over 4200 km of marked trails. As Bavaria‘s first quality region “Wanderbares Deutschland”, the mountains entice hikers with varied routes through forests and meadows. Once a year in May, the Frankenwald Hiking Marathon takes place, whose challenging route always leads through a different part of the low mountain range to emphasize its versatility.
Of course, the long-distance hiking trails Rennsteig, Frankenweg and Fränkischer Gebirgsweg are well-known, as well as the FrankenwaldSteig, which leads once around the region on 242 km and wants to bring nature closer with the themes “Hear silence, breathe expanse, understand forest”. Those who prefer a shorter route can take one of the 31 FrankenwaldSteigla, which are shorter side trails that branch off from the long-distance hiking trail.
On two wheels to new adventures
Cyclists and mountain bikers also get their money‘s worth in the Franconian Forest. On narrow paths or well-developed bike trails, uphill or flat along streams and rivers, perhaps with a leisurely stop – there is a trail for every taste. Bicycle-friendly accommodations, routes for families, routes through valleys with little traffic, steep and crisp climbs, and public e-charging stations make cycling vacations a complete success.
Mountain bikers can improve their technique and condition on seven designated routes covering a total of 300 km and 8000 meters of altitude. Trails, single trails, challenging climbs and rapid descents as well as the Bike Fun Trails on the Döbraberg – the MTB routes in the Franconian Forest are mostly on unpaved roads and guided routes are also possible.
