MTB Trails in Germany: Top Regions Beyond the Alps

Mountain biking in the Alps sounds like a dream – stunning scenery, endless descents, and epic trails. But for many riders, the journey there is simply too far, and not everyone is looking for long climbs or gnarly, rocky downhills.

The good news: you don’t have to head to the Alps to find adrenaline-fueled MTB fun. Right in Bavaria, the UrTrails Altmühltal offer exactly that.

If you were to draw two lines – one from Ingolstadt to Regensburg and another from Nuremberg to Bad Reichenhall – they’d intersect in Kelheim. That means the catchment area is huge.

All the better that the local mountain bike community, together with public authorities, foresters, and politicians, managed to achieve what still seems impossible in many places: a legal, sustainable trail network. For me, this is the perfect proof that legal MTB trails in Germany are no longer just a dream.

From Nail Trap to Trail Network‍

The story doesn’t start pretty. A few years ago, someone placed a nail trap on an unofficial trail in the Kelheim area – deliberately trying to injure riders. The incident caused a stir across Bavaria and made it clear that urgent solutions were needed.

Instead of being discouraged, the local MTB scene seized the moment. Together with the city of Kelheim, conservationists, foresters, and the RSC Kelheim cycling club, they developed a concept for official routes.

After more than three years of planning and discussions, a conflict turned into a success story: today, the Altmühltal region boasts a legal network with five loops and around 100 kilometers of marked routes – more than half of them natural singletrack.

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‍Legal, Local, Sustainable

What makes the UrTrails special isn’t just their length – it’s the mindset behind them. This isn’t an artificial bike park, but natural lines that follow the terrain. The trails are built by locals, maintained by the club, and approved by authorities.

This collaboration provides legal certainty and a completely different riding experience. Every meter is hard-earned, but that’s exactly why it’s sustainable. It’s a model showing how MTB trails in Bavaria can work when everyone pulls in the same direction.

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Three Trails, Three Characters

The UrTrails are diverse – and that’s what makes them exciting.

FlowJoe – the Fun Maker

FlowJoe is the perfect introduction: gently curved lines, small rollers, naturally built. No bike park shaping, just pure nature. Ideal for beginners, but also a joy for advanced riders when you pick up speed.

Fakir 2 – the Challenge

Fakir 2 has a special story: it’s the legal response to the old nail trap. Technical, rooty, and narrow, this trail demands skill and precision. Nothing unfair, but a real highlight for those who love a technical challenge.

Skihüttentrail – Short & Intense

The third trail is compact, punchy, and rewards you with amazing views. Root sections, drops, and sharp turns make it a true staccato trail. Perfect for burning your legs and finishing with a grin by the Danube.

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More Than Just Trails

The UrTrails are more than fun: they’re the result of club work, youth programs, and countless conversations between bikers and authorities. Ludwig Döhl, one of the driving forces, sums it up perfectly:
"If you want change, you have to start somewhere."

This attitude makes Kelheim a role model. It shows that mountain biking doesn’t have to exist in a legal grey area – it can be constructively integrated, benefiting everyone.

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Conclusion: A Model for All of Germany

The UrTrails Altmühltal are more than a local project. They show what MTB trails in Germany can look like: legal, sustainable, and built with passion. For riders, that means more fun, more safety, and the chance to surf natural trails outside the Alps.

Whether you’re looking for family adventures or adrenaline-packed descents, the UrTrails deliver both.

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More about the UrTrails: www.herzstueck.bayern/de/urlaubserlebnisse/radfahren/mountainbike‍

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