The Swabian Alb rolls towards the state capital Stuttgart from the south-east like a 200 kilometre long and 400 metre high wave - at least that's what it looks like on the map. In reality, of course, it's the city dwellers seeking relaxation who flood into the Swabian Alb at the weekend. This includes many mountain bikers, as the low mountain range not only has various 1000 metre high peaks, castles and palaces to offer, but also spectacular rocky outcrops along the Albtrauf with unobstructed views over the Neckar valley - and plenty of exciting trails.
Exemption from the old two-metre rule
Unfortunately, these trails are among the forbidden fruits in Baden-Württemberg, as the two-metre rule has always prevailed here, which prohibits mountain bikers from riding on narrower trails. A passage in the state forest law from 1995 that only the federal state of Baden-Württemberg still has in Germany. However, the displeasure of the biking population is growing, especially as more and more regions have long since fought for exceptions and opened up trails for bikers. This is the case in Freiburg, for example, or in the northern Black Forest around Baiersbronn and Sasbachwalden.
The successful school project "mountainbike.moessingen"
And so a "trail working group" was also formed in the town of Mössingen in the central Swabian Alb, which campaigned for legal bike trails and took on all the administrative formalities. The "mountainbike.moessingen" project began four years ago with the main initiator Jakob Schill. The Firstwald-Gymnasium pupil was even honoured for his voluntary work in April and was presented with a trophy and 500 euros in prize money by the umbrella organisation of youth councils in Baden-Württemberg.
Thanks to the active support of his classmates and some sponsors, the trails in Mössingen's Firstwald forest have now been completed earlier than expected. The ceremonial opening of an easy blue line and a red run for advanced riders can now take place this year after all, on Saturday 18 October. There will be a few words of welcome from 2 p.m., then the barriers will be cut and the two trails will be open to everyone. Information and registration for the opening can be found on Instagram mountainbike.moessingen.
Swabian Jura - Germany's World Cup area
Even if there are already a few permitted trails, especially in the south of the mountains, the Swabian Alb is still struggling with legalisation overall. Although there is actually a great deal of enthusiasm for the sport of biking. After all, nine World Cup cross-country races have already been held in Albstadt. The World Championships would even have been organised there in 2020 - if it hadn't been for the coronavirus. And Trochtelfingen will also be celebrating a big anniversary next year: The legendary Alb-Gold-Trophy will be 30 years old!
So it's all the more surprising that Bad Urach, further north, is having such a hard time. The mountain bike community is not idle here either. Three cycling clubs, the Bikepark Pfullingen, the university, the DIMB and the DAV Reutlingen have been working together since 2023 to legalise a larger, region-connecting and sustainable trail network in the greater Reutlingen area. So far, unfortunately, without resounding success. But the lads and lasses are keeping at it. Current information: dimb-ig-reutlingen.de
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
