Birkenau B 1

The MTB circular tour starts at Birkenau railroad station and runs along the northern and southern ridges over the Kallstädter Tal valley to Löhrbach and Götzenstein. A steady uphill and downhill route through forests and meadows repeatedly reveals impressive views of the Odenwald, the Weschnitz valley and the Rhine plain. The route first leads through the old Birkenau town center, past the old town hall and along the Weschnitz towards Spenglerswald. The route leads to the Schubertstein on easy forest paths. On the outskirts of Buchklingen, you leave the forest and after a short, steep climb, wonderful views open up in all directions. Above Buchklingen, the K 15 is crossed and the route leads along a narrow single trail over the Steinkopf to the Schützenkreuz. Continue for 1.5 km on the green plan path (asphalt). The ascent to the Waldskopf begins with a hairpin bend, over partly narrow forest paths, past the Teufelstein natural monument (block of biotite granite) to the summit (altitude 538 m). The strenuous ascent is followed by a varied and relaxing descent to Löhrbach (altitude 410m). After crossing the L3408, the ascent to the Götzenstein begins, approx. 600 m on asphalt then on an agricultural road. The further ascent to the Götzenstein is a single trail that is both sporty and technically demanding. The Götzenstein, a hilltop (altitude 521 m) with mighty granite boulders that indicate a Celtic or Germanic cult site (natural monument), is a good place to take a break for a drink. The descent from Götzenstein again requires the biker’s full concentration. The route then crosses the K 6 with a view of Schnorrenbach and the eastern Odenwald. The route continues on narrow forest paths towards Kisselbusch, from there it descends steeply, then along the ridge above the Kallstädter Tal with beautiful views over the Reisacker to the Franzosenkreuz. There, the route leaves the hiking trail and leads back to Birkenau on a narrow trail above the Kallstadt quarry through beautiful oak and beech forests.