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Best backpacking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park

Best backpacking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park

4.1(39 reviews)

·

Bavaria
: 
#12 of 21 nature parks

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The Fichtelgebirge Nature Park lies like a large horseshoe in the north-east of 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 displaced elsewhere by the Ice Age have also survived 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 - 12 Summit Tour Fichtelgebirge

    5.0 (4)·Hard·37.2 mi·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...

  2. #2 - Goldsteig South Route Stage 1: Marktredwitz - Friedenfels

    5.0 (4)·Hard·12.3 mi·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...

  3. #3 - Burgenweg Upper Palatinate Stage 1: Marktredwitz - Friedenfels

    4.5 (4)·Hard·11.4 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    Idyllic route section in the Upper Palatinate, Bavaria The first stage of the Burgenweg leads through the beautiful cultural landscape of the Steinwald Nature Park and is a nice start to the long-distance hiking trail. It starts at the parking lot in Marktredwitz (the starting point can also be reached by bus and train). Walk south and follow the course of the Kössein for a while to Waldershof. If you want, you can make a short detour to the castle and look for a place to stop for...

  4. #4 - Zubringer Fränkischer Gebirgsweg: Waldstein - Weißenstadt

    3.6 (3)·Easy·2 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hr

  5. #5 - Franconian Mountain Trail Stage 12: Fichtelberg - Goldkronach

    4.0 (2)·Hard·11.1 mi·Est. 5.5–6 hr
    This route is stage 12 of the Fränkischer Gebirgsweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria; this specific segment starts in Fichtelberg and ends in Goldkronach. The path leads from the winter sports resort of Fichtelberg through the high forests of the central Fichtel Mountains, heading toward the scenic Fichtelnaab source. The itinerary climbs toward the summit of the Ochsenkopf, the second-highest peak in the range, featuring the Asenturm observation tower with its panoramic views, before...

  6. #6 - Saaleradweg Etappe 1: Saalequelle - Hof

    4.0 (1)·Hard·21 mi·Est. 8.5–9.5 hr
    1st stage of the official Saale Cycle Path from the Saale source to the mouth of the Elbe The long-distance cycle path is an official cycle path of the Saaleradweg eV and is signposted with the pictogram of a cyclist on a blue stripe and the text "Saale". The long-distance cycle path runs on cycle path D-Route 11, which runs from the Baltic Sea to Upper Bavaria. The route is also part of the R1 European cycle route (France / Russia) and the EuroVelo2 (Ireland / Russia). Highlights: -...

  7. #7 - Franconian Mountain Trail Stage 13: Goldkronach - Bayreuth

    5.0 (1)·Moderate·7.9 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hr
    This route is stage 13 of the Fränkischer Gebirgsweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria; this specific segment starts in Goldkronach and ends in Bayreuth. The path leads from the historic gold-mining town of Goldkronach, located at the foot of the Fichtel Mountains, and heads toward the famous Wagnerian festival city. The itinerary follows the courses of the Kornbach and Seelohbach streams, passing through Untersteinach and traversing the scenic "Steinachtal mit Deichselhölzchen" nature...

  8. #8 - Franconian Mountain Trail Stage 10: Neusorg - Nagel

    4.0 (1)·Hard·14.5 mi·Est. 7–8 hr
    This route is stage 10 of the Fränkischer Gebirgsweg, a long-distance trail in Bavaria; this specific segment starts in Neusorg and ends in Nagel. The path leads from the railway station in Neusorg back into the high forests of the Fichtel Mountains, heading toward the southern slopes of the Schneeberg massif. The itinerary passes through quiet woodland sections and idyllic meadow valleys, reaching the herb village of Nagel with its scenic Nageler See (lake). Overnight stays are available in...

  9. #9 - From Bayreuth to the Ochsenkopf

    4.8 (5)·Hard·37.1 mi·Est. 16.5–18 hr
    Varied long-distance hike in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park, Bavaria. From Bayreuth you hike in a north-easterly direction. You walk around the Sauberg and pass the Grassemann open-air museum, which is well worth seeing. A highlight of the loop is the Ochsenkopf. The second highest mountain in the Fichtelgebirge has a lookout tower with restaurant from which you have fantastic panoramic views of the Hoher Fichtelgebirge. Highlights of the hike: - Ochsenkopf with Asen tower - Festival city...

  10. #10 - Bayreuth House - Gänskopfhütte - Wagenthalhütte

    4.4 (7)·Hard·13 mi·Est. 5.5–6.5 hr
    Demanding high-altitude hike near Mehlmeisel in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park. The beautiful round starts at the Bayreuther Haus, which can be reached with the Mehlmeisel Klausen lift or, alternatively, you can park at the end of Waldhausstraße. The hiking trail can be walked all year round, is particularly worthwhile when there is good snow and offers beautiful views of the Fichtel Mountains.
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Visitor info

Accessibility
Facilities

There are eight information points in the park: the Grassemann open-air museum, the Leupoldsdorf Castle gatehouse information point, the Zell information point 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 point and granite labyrinth.

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Frequently asked questions

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

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best trail to hike for backpacking in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park is 12 Summit Tour Fichtelgebirge, which has a 5.0 star rating from 4 reviews. This trail is 37.2 mi long with an elevation gain of 7,509 ft.

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

According to AllTrails.com, the longest backpacking trail in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park is Franconian Mountain Trail. This trail is estimated to be 260.9 mi long.

How many backpacking trails are in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?

There are 35 backpacking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park.These backpacking trails have an average 4.1-star ratingfrom 39 AllTrails community reviews.

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

Franconian Mountain Trail has the most elevation gain for backpacking trails with 38,776 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Jean-Paul-Weg (long-distance hiking trail), which has 15,564 ft of elevation gain.

Activities

Attractions

Suitability

Points of interest