Geisdorf und Geisfeld - fehlt bloß noch Heidi

Forchheim, Ebermannstadt, Gasseldorf, Heiligenstadt, Burggrub, Geisdorf, Herzogenreuth, Tiefenellern, Litzendorf, Geisfeld, Roßdorf, Strullendorf, Hirschaid

From Forchheim, we initially follow the tried and tested route along the bike path by the B470 to Ebermannstadt. In Ebermannstadt, I then kept to the left on the combined bike/pedestrian path. At the penultimate traffic light, this then turns back into a reasonably proper bike path. From there, we continue - still to the left of the B470 - to Gasseldorf.

In Gasseldorf, we look for the Leinleiterradweg bike route. To do this, we have to cross the main street in Gasseldorf, enter the old town center, and turn left onto the second street (should be Gasseldorfer Straße). The route is signposted, but the start can be easily missed.

On the Leinleiterradweg, which partly follows the old road as well as the old railway embankment of the line from Heiligenstadt to Ebermannstadt, we ride via Unterleinleiter, Veilbronn, Zoggendorf, and Heiligenstadt continuing on to Burggrub (a little joke question: What is Burggrub backwards?).

In Burggrub, we then continue along the Leinleiterradweg towards Oberleinleiter. To get to Geisdorf, we have to keep left at the junction to Heroldsmühle, where there is a small parking area, and ride up the hill. From here, always stick to this small road, which winds between the fields, until we finally reach Geisdorf.

From Geisdorf, we continue on to Herzogenreuth. There we must turn right towards Scheßlitz. We follow the road, pass the parking lot of the Sophienhöhle cave, until we reach the next intersection, where it goes left to Litzendorf (the signpost is currently - summer 2009 - covered because construction work is taking place in Tiefenellern). There we ride down beautiful switchbacks down to Tiefenellern (at the moment about 300m of coarse gravel must be bridged in the town due to construction, but with a touring bike this can be ridden without problems).

From Tiefenellern, we continue on to Lohndorf. From here, there is another bike path. It’s better not to use the one on the left side of the road as it ends quite abruptly more or less in the middle of a field. From this point, a bike path continues on the right side down to Litzendorf.

In Litzendorf, we turn left onto the main road towards Geisfeld. At the top of the town exit, another bike path begins that goes all the way into Geisfeld. Roughly halfway along the path from Litzendorf to Geisfeld, there are some tumuli visible on the left at the edge of the forest.

In Geisfeld, we head towards Bamberg but turn left 300m after leaving the town towards Roßdorf. Here it is a nice downhill stretch where the bike can be allowed to roll well. In Roßdorf, follow the main street, leave the town, and continue on to the next junction. Here turn right, cross the motorway, and then immediately turn left towards Strullendorf. You pass the Hauptsmoorhalle until you reach state road 2244 (Bamberger Straße). Turn left here in the direction of Forchheim.

We pass through Strullendorf until we see a bike path sign (Auweg) on the right. Enter there and continue until we pass under the railway tracks. Immediately afterwards, turn left onto the bike path and follow it on to Hirschaid.

In Hirschaid, at the large junction (near the church), turn right and cross the canal. Turn left at the swimming pool and follow the path along the canal embankment through Altendorf, through Neuses, and Pautzfeld to Forchheim.

Arriving in Forchheim, we weave through the town until we're home.