Skip to main content
Back to Explore
Best river trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park

Best river trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park

4.2(288 reviews)

·

Bavaria
: 
#12 of 21 nature parks

All photos

The Fichtelgebirge Nature Park lies like a large horseshoe in north-east Bavaria. With peaks such as the Schneeberg and Ochsenkopf, the highest peaks in Franconia, it attracts countless visitors every year. The 4 major rivers Main, Eger, Naab and Saale also have their source here. The park was founded in 1971.

The Fichtelgebirge is divided into two very different natural areas - the rugged, hard-to-populate High Fichtelgebirge with its Atlantic climate and the more sheltered, man-made Inner Fichtelgebirge with its continental climate. These very different habitats are home to a variety of different animals and plants, and organisms that were displaced elsewhere by the Ice Age were also able to survive here.

Top sights

Karchessee
Karchessee
Pond
Reissingerbrunnen
Reissingerbrunnen
Spring
Weißmainquelle
Weißmainquelle
Spring
Kleiner Haberstein
Kleiner Haberstein
Peak
Haberstein
Haberstein
Peak
Weißmainfels
Weißmainfels
Peak

Top trails

  1. #1 - Weißmain-Ochsenkopf-Steig

    4.5 (55)·Hard·11.3 km·Est. 4–4.5 hr
    Popular quality trail in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park, Bavaria. The Weißmain-Ochsenkopf-Steig is a certified quality hiking trail in the Fichtelgebirge. Starting from the paid car park at the Ochsenkopf Nord valley station in Bischofsgrün, the trail leads up to the Ochsenkopf on a very varied and quite challenging route. Lots of unspoilt nature, wild rock formations, fantastic panoramic views and a picturesque river course await along the way. If necessary, the hike can be shortened using...

  2. #2 - Ochsenkopf

    4.4 (18)·Moderate·6 km·Est. 2–2.5 hr
    Popular hike in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park near Bischofsgrün. The hiking route leads from the car park at Karchessee, where there are refreshment stops, a children's playground and a beer garden, to the summit of the Ochsenkopf. Here, too, you can stop for refreshments and enjoy the marvellous view of the Fichtelgebirge.

  3. #3 - Weißenstadt - Weihermühle (Mill)

    4.2 (15)·Moderate·4.7 km·Est. 1–1.5 hr

  4. #4 - Bad Berneck - Thiesenring Loop

    4.7 (16)·Moderate·10.5 km·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    Panoramic round tour in the Fichtelgebirge On this quite challenging tour, you can learn interesting facts about the landscape and the history of the region from the information boards. The tour was named after Carl Thiesen, who is an honorary citizen of Bad Berneck. The hiking sign is a red spruce on a white background. Accessible by bus and train.

  5. #5 - Naturlehrpfad "Oberes Weißmaintal"

    4.8 (19)·Easy·6.6 km·Est. 1.5–2 hr
    Nature-oriented hike with exciting information boards for the whole family The starting point of this hike is the Christoph-Seidel-Weg in Bischofsgrün or the car park at the Waldgasthaus Karches. From here, follow the trail markings, a blue M (=Mainweg) on a white background, from Bischofsgrün to Karches. There are nature trail information boards along the entire route. Even though there is a slight incline, this hike is suitable for children. Highlights of the hike: - Former Weißmain blast...

  6. #6 - Schneeberg Circular Route

    4.6 (12)·Moderate·15.1 km·Est. 5–5.5 hr
    Wooded summit tour near Weißenstadt in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. This route leads to the Schneeberg in the beautiful Fichtelgebirge. The 1,050 meter-high Schneeberg is the highest elevation here. The route leads through romantic valleys on idyllic hiking trails. The Fichtelgebirge is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful low mountain ranges in Germany. Along the way, the route passes magnificent rock formations such as the Rudolfsattel and the Drei Brüdern. Most of the way up is...

  7. #7 - 12 Summit Tour Fichtelgebirge

    5.0 (4)·Hard·59.9 km·Est. 19–20.5 hr
    Winding through the heart of the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park, this route spans a horseshoe-shaped landscape of granitic peaks, quiet mountain forests, and historic summits. Exploring the chain reveals notable geological formations like the blockfields on the Platte and the dramatic towers of the Drei-Brüder-Felsen. Along the high ridge, the trail leads up to northern Bavaria's highest elevation at the Schneeberg, where a cold-war-era tower overlooks expansive valleys. Along with historic sites...

  8. #8 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 1: Marktredwitz - Friedenfels

    5.0 (4)·Hard·19.8 km·Est. 6–6.5 hr
    This route follows stage 1 of the Goldsteig, a long-distance trail from Marktredwitz to Passau, beginning in Marktredwitz and ending in Friedenfels. The trail leaves the Auenpark, passing a natural outdoor pool and rural fields before ascending into the heart of the Steinwald Nature Park. Hikers encounter the Basaltpferdchen rock formations, the medieval Weißenstein castle ruins with its panoramic keep, the Kibitzstein rock arch, and quiet woodland paths leading into Friedenfels. Overnight...

  9. #9 - Burgenweg Upper Palatinate Stage 1: Marktredwitz - Friedenfels

    4.5 (4)·Hard·18.3 km·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    Idyllic stretch of road in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria The first stage of the Castle Trail leads through the beautiful cultural landscape of the Steinwald Nature Park and is a successful start to the long-distance hiking trail. It starts at the car park in Marktredwitz (the starting point can also be reached by bus and train). You walk southwards and follow the course of the Kössein for a while to Waldershof. If you wish, you can make a short detour to the castle there and find a place to...

  10. #10 - Ochsenkopfweg

    4.8 (4)·Hard·8.5 km·Est. 3–3.5 hr
Showing results 1–10 of 140
Explore more trails

Visitor info

Accessibility
Facilities

There are eight information centres in the park: the Grassemann Open-Air Museum, the Leupoldsdorf Castle Gatehouse information centre, the Zell information centre in the Kleinlosnitz Upper Franconian Farm Museum, the Weißenstadt information barn, the Mehlmeisel Forest House with wildlife park, the Häuselloh show quarry, the "Kleiner Johannes" old mine and the Kirchenlamitz information centre and granite labyrinth.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best river trail to hike in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best river trail to hike in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park is Weißmain-Ochsenkopf-Steig, which has a 4.5 star rating from 55 reviews. This trail is 11.3 km long with an elevation gain of 489 m.

What is the longest river trail in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest river trail in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park is Franconian Mountain Trail. This trail is estimated to be 419.9 km long.

How many river trails are in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?

There are 140 river trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park.These river trails have an average 4.2-star ratingfrom 288 AllTrails community reviews.

Which river trail has the most elevation gain in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?

Franconian Mountain Trail has the most elevation gain for river trails with 11,819 m of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Jean-Paul-Weg (long-distance hiking trail), which has 4,744 m of elevation gain.

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest