Halb um Erlangen mit Bergwertung

Family-friendly route with a sporty touch (steep climb), best ridden with a mountain bike, but also possible on a regular bike with some pushing.

Start is in Dechsendorf at the parking lot by the lake pizzeria (Valentinos), but you can also start in Erlangen; the route passes through the city. Along the bike path towards the center, you quickly reach the canal - turn left at the Heusteg rest stop - then keep right following the canal all the way to the harbor. Cross the canal there, continue past Obi, across the West outdoor pool parking lot towards Alterlangen, across the Regnitz meadows, halfway through turn right towards the center over the Wöhrmühlenbrücke, then under the A73 and near the train station go under the railway (push your bike!), cross the pedestrian zone at the market square, head towards the castle park, cross it (push your bike!), at the end of the castle park turn left towards the children's clinic (Krankenhausstraße), cross the street at the pedestrian light by the church, pass the church towards the head clinic, past the head clinic (pedestrian and bike path), at the signpost take a slight left into the Schwabachanlage, cross the Schwabach river and go straight on to Essenbacher or Spardorfer Straße. Here begins the sporty section. Up Rathsberger Straße to the forest hospital, just before the pedestrian light turn right into the forest, at the next larger forest path intersection immediately turn right towards the forest shooting range and then always follow the hiking trail with the blue cross on white background until you reach the top of Rathsberg. At the 'pass' at the top, keep left towards Rathsberg, go through Rathsberg, follow the street 'Zum Aussichtsturm', pass the horse farm and ride steeply downhill down the Rathsberger Steige to Bubenreuth, in the valley on the main road turn left under the railway line, past REWE, along the highway towards Forchheim, cross it on the new pedestrian bridge, ride through Bubenreuth (also on the main road), then back on the (moderately busy) country road (Dechsendorfer Str.) to Dechsendorf.

There are plenty of dining options. From simple snack bars and beer gardens (e.g., at the campsite near the Wöhrmühlenbrücke) to the beautifully situated beer garden of the restaurant 'Forsthaus' at Dechsendorfer Weiher with interesting Franconian-Mediterranean crossover cuisine.