Best wildlife trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
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
Top trails
- 4.5 (55)·Hard·7 mi·Est. 4–4.5 hrPopular 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 parking lot at the Ochsenkopf Nord valley station in Bischofsgrün, the trail leads up to the Ochsenkopf on a very varied and quite challenging route. Along the way, there is plenty of untouched nature, wild rock formations, fantastic panoramic views and a picturesque river course. If necessary, the hike can be...
- 4.7 (44)·Moderate·2.9 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrImpressive nature hike in the Fichtelgebirge near Wunsiedel. The largest rock labyrinth in Europe is a popular destination in the Fichtelgebirge and is well suited for families with children (but not for prams). Here you can discover the huge, 300 million year old granite boulders, caves and gorges that give the landscape a mysterious charm. There are several impressive vantage points and opportunities to rest. The maze itself is open during the summer months through November. Highlights: -...
- 4.6 (42)·Moderate·7.3 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrAttractive loop hike to the Kösseine. The well-signposted route leads from the Luisenburg car park, which is subject to a charge, along good paths to the summit of the Kösseine. With its double peak, the Kösseine is one of the most scenic mountains in the Fichtelgebirge. The higher of the two is the summit of the Große Kösseine (939 m), which lies with its sea of granite boulders in a 15.8-hectare nature reserve. The smaller Burgsteinfelsen (869 m) impresses with its mighty rock castle,...
- 4.4 (18)·Moderate·3.4 mi·Est. 1.5–2 hrFamily-friendly circular hike in the Fichtelgebirge nature park near Fichtelberg. The varied route leads from the parking lot at the Waldhotel through the Fichtelseemoor natural forest reserve to the year-round lake house on the western side of the lake hill and back again. At the lake there is a playground and good opportunities to go into the water.
- 4.4 (18)·Moderate·3.7 mi·Est. 2–2.5 hrPopular hike in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park near Bischofsgrün. The hiking route leads from the parking lot 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 a break, including a wonderful view of the Fichtel Mountains.
- 4.8 (20)·Moderate·5.6 mi·Est. 3–3.5 hrPopular loop hiking trail in the Fichtelgebirge nature park, Bavaria. This is a promising round on two peaks of the Fichtelgebirge. From the hikers' car park, the trail follows a small brook to the Seehaus and continues to the Nußhardt, which is surrounded by a nature reserve. It then leads on to the Schneeberg with its Schneeberg tower, which can be seen from afar. Here, the view can be enjoyed for a moment, or you can have a picnic before turning around and hiking back the same...
- 4.7 (16)·Moderate·6.5 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrPromising round tour in the Fichtel Mountains On the rather demanding circuit, information boards repeatedly tell you interesting facts about the landscape and the history of the region. The tour was named after Carl Thiesen, who is an honorary citizen of Bad Bernecks. The waymark is a red spruce on a white background. Accessible by bus and train.
- 4.2 (19)·Moderate·6.8 mi·Est. 3.5–4 hrPanoramic loop in the Fichtelgebirge Nature Park near Bischofsgrün. The exciting tour leads through the forest first to the Rudolfstein with bizarre rock formations. There is also a staircase so the rocks can be seen from above. Afterward, the tour continues to the Schneeberg, where some meters in altitude must be overcome. Here, the tremendous distant view rewards, especially from the Schneeberg tower. Highlights: - Rudolfstein - Schneeberg - great views
- 4.4 (6)·Moderate·2.1 mi·Est. 1–1.5 hrPromising hike from Bischofsgrün in the Fichtel Mountains. From the town hall in Bischofsgrün the hiking trail zigzags up to the Ochsenkopf. Once at the summit, there is a wonderful view, refreshment stops and a children's playground. You can either return to the valley on the same path or take the "Seilschwebebahn Nord". More information is available at https://www.ochsenkopf.info/sommer/seilbahnen/ ----------------------------------------- Accessible by bus and train
Visitor info
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.
Headed to a park?
Take AllTrails with you
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best wildlife trail to hike in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?
What is the longest wildlife trail in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?
How many wildlife trails are in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?
Which wildlife trail has the most elevation gain in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park?
Activities
- Backpacking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Bike touring trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Camping trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Mountain biking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Road biking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Running trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Walking trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
Attractions
- Beach trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Cave trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Easy trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Forest trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Hard trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Lake trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Long trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Moderate trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- River trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Short trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Trails with historic sites in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Trails with views in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Waterfall trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Wildflower trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park
- Wildlife trails in Fichtel Mountain Nature Park