Matzenstein-Tour

We cycle past Lake Heiligenstadt ascending the Leinleite Valley. At the outskirts of Zoggendorf, the route climbs. A farm track leads towards Pfarrholz. Next is a short ascent on a trail. Shortly after leaving the paved road, we see on the right in the deciduous forest a typical rock formation: the 'Pfarrwaldfelsen'. On a short grassy trail, we roll slightly downhill out of the forest. Meadows and arable fields alternate constantly with woodland patches. The path is at times quite rough and very natural! After reaching another road, a well-developed path follows, offering after a few meters a beautiful panorama over the heights of Franconian Switzerland. Just a few meters after the descent towards Dürrbrunn, the route forks left. Beyond Volkmannsreuth follows a long trail section, with an approximately 100 m descent on scree (!), passing an impressive rock formation and finishing on a singletrail. Caution! At its end, the route dangerously meets a busy road. After Veilbronn, we enter the Wern Valley. Already after a few meters, the trail climbs steeply, crossing a road (Caution!) then the trail continues. Those who wish can ride on the road to the next junction. Before reaching the hilltop, turn right onto a field path. It runs along the edge of the forest, passing the Frog Stone. Shortly after, a worthwhile detour leads to the Fürther Haus (Nature Friends). There you have an impressive view. The main route continues on asphalt via Siegritz to Üblitzberg. We circle this and ride between fields on an uneven path that winds very nicely downhill, with trail character in places. A few meters after Draisendorf, we cross the Aufseß over a small bridge and follow the valley upwards. After a very short climb, it continues on gravel forest roads through deciduous woods to Neudorf. Shortly after the village, a trail runs between fields along the high voltage power line, turning into a singletrail in the next forest section. Then we head towards the pavilion (a youth campsite with barbecue facilities, rocks, views into the Leinleite Valley and towards Heiligenstadt). We then cross a road and pass the wild boar enclosure, descending a short singletrail on asphalt to the starting point. Before the final descent, a look at Greifenstein Castle is worthwhile.