Hofbieber - Spahl - Obernüst

Historic cycle tour in the Hessian Rhön Nature Park, Hesse. This 42-kilometre tour starts in Hofbieber. Around two thirds of the route is on tarmac roads and around a third on country lanes. Morles is reached via partly unsurfaced but easily rideable paths. From here, the route continues along country lanes through beautiful countryside to Mittelaschenbach. A short stretch of main road leads to Oberaschenbach. From here it goes steadily uphill towards the former "death strip". After approx. 2 km, the former border between West Germany and East Germany (now Hesse/Thuringia) is reached. Cycle along the border path for a while and take in the past. As this path is not suitable for longer tours by bike, it is left very soon and the tour turns left towards a former border tower, which is in the same condition as when it was abandoned around 30 years ago. Continue along the little-used main road towards the Thuringian Spahl. There is a worthwhile refreshment stop at the Heile Schern, a well-known pub with a beer garden. The route continues along an unsurfaced farm track to Apfelbach, then follows the surfaced connecting road to Neuswarts and crosses the former border for the second time. When looking to the right at this point, the former border can be seen for many kilometres. On the left, a view opens up towards the Ulster Valley, which is bordered in the background by the foothills of the Thuringian Rhön. At the end of the recognisable volcanic cones lies the Oechsen, which belongs to the Rhön. Neuswarts is reached and it continues towards Meerswinden, a small village consisting of only a few houses. It is possible to stop for a bite to eat in the small but cosy snack bar here, if calling ahead. The route then continues for a long time along a high-level path, which initially runs through woodland and later offers a marvellous view over the Ulster Valley and as far as the Wasserkuppe, the highest mountain in the Rhön. The next larger village along the route is Habel, from where you have to tackle an ascent to Schwarzenborn. On the way to Nüsterrasen, the route follows a busy road for a short stretch. The route continues along side paths to Obernüst, where it is possible to stop for a bite to eat and to enjoy delicious fish specialities at the Gasthaus zur Post. After a break, the route continues downhill for a while on paved side roads. Halfway to Morles, it turns left onto a forest path - from here, it's back to pedalling hard. After crossing the hill, the tour enters easy trail terrain that requires some attention but is easy to manage. This beautiful path ends at a water ford, which can be crossed but does not have to be (the other bank can also be safely reached dry via a small wooden bridge). From here it is another 1.5 kilometres to Hofbieber. Overall, the route requires a good level of fitness. There is a charging station for e-bikes at the Gasthaus zur Post in Obernüst. Highlights of the route: - Relics of the former German-German border - Nice places to stop for refreshments - Beautiful views over the Rhön - Varied paths