Trail Report - From Franconia with Love: Three bike spots in northern Bavaria

When you think of Bavaria, you usually think of Upper Bavaria around Munich. Rarely Franconia.
So here is some Franconian know-how in just a few sentences:
Franconia is located in the north of Bavaria and is divided into three administrative districts: Lower, Middle and Upper Franconia. Around 4 million people call the region home. The region scores with history en masse: from medieval half-timbered towns such as Bamberg and Rothenburg ob der Tauber to imposing castles perched on hills.

Over 600 breweries produce all kinds of beer, and the wine on the Main is among the best in Germany. Nature lovers will get their money's worth in Franconian Switzerland or the Steigerwald - climbing, hiking or simply enjoying the view.
But now to the trails, two close to the city and one trail in one of the few trail centres in Germany.

Eulenhof Trail, Treuchtlingen

2.5 km I 130 m I Difficulty: easy I Preferred bike: trail bike

The Heumödern Trails trail centre is only about an hour away from Ingolstadt or Nuremberg. The six main trails are primarily aimed at beginners and families. Although the Altmühltal does not offer many metres in altitude, this is hardly a problem. The longest trail, the Eulenhof Trail, measures 2.5 kilometres and has an elevation gain of around 130 metres - enough to have fun without being overwhelmed. You can choose between an easy and a more challenging variant, depending on your mood and ability. The route is mostly on a narrow dirt track, sometimes peppered with roots and small terrain edges. It costs 10 euros per day to use the trail, with an annual pass available for 30 euros.

Flowline, Nuremberg

>0.5 km I >50 hm I Difficulty: difficult I Preferred bike: Enduro

The trails at Schmausenbuck are the go-to spots in the Franconian metropolis. New: the Flowline. The name is misleading, because it is a jumpline: Gaps, step downs and doubles follow one after the other. If that's too airy for you, there are easier but still fun alternatives - such as the Yolo Line, a constructed enduro descent with optional jumps. Too bad: there are not many vertical metres here.

Uschi Trail, Fürth

0.5 km I 40 m I Difficulty: easy I Preferred bike: trail bike

There are now several legal descents in the Fürth city forest. The trails may not boast many metres in depth, but those who want to add one lap to the next will definitely get their money's worth here. The public's favourite is "Uschi" - a narrow trail that meanders swiftly through the trees. Sometimes slow, sometimes fast, with gentle bumps and only rarely rough. Advanced riders spice things up with speed.

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