In the Rodach valley and around the Ködel dam

There are bicycle parking spaces in the immediate vicinity.

If you have had an e-bike delivered to the railway station by Frankenwald Bike in advance, the tour can start immediately. From the railway station, head eastwards parallel to the B303.

You then cycle through Marktrodach along the River Rodach.

Frankenwald Bikes offers 3 e-bike models for hire, all of which are equipped with high-quality components so that you can start your cycle tours in the Franconian Forest without any compromises.

On request in advance, the hire shop also offers the option of having hire bikes delivered to the railway station. However, it is essential to enquire in advance.

The current prices of the various models can be found on the website. (daily price 35-45,-€)

Start eastwards over the two rivers Haßlach and Kronach and follow the Rodach upstream.

The valley of the Rodach becomes narrower after Marktrodach and Zeyern and you will pass old mills along the way, which have characterised the area.

The pond mill in Steinwiesen is over half a millennium old. It was first mentioned in 1507. In the Franconian Forest, the milling tradition is even over 900 years old. These first "machines" of mankind are already mentioned in the Old Testament. However, the mills in the Rodach Valley are not hand-operated and do not grind grain. The Teichmühle is one of the last saw or cutting mills in the Franconian Forest still in operation today and its mill wheel is intact. It is also a museum mill. It is open on Sunday afternoons in summer for anyone who would like to find out more about what the working day of a cutting miller used to be like. Groups of ten people or more can book a guided tour throughout the week.

There are even more mills on your way. You continue up the Rodach until you reach your second destination of today's tour: the Ködel dam.

If you wish, you can stop off at the local inn "Klug" in Nurn above the dam after your tour and fortify yourself for the return journey. (Nurn 21, 96349 Steinwiesen, tel. 09262 7908)

The Mauthaus drinking water reservoir is the largest drinking water reservoir in Bavaria. Its tributaries to the right and left of the Schauberg at the northern end of the dam are called the Nordhalbener and Tschirner Ködel, which is why it is also known as the Ködel dam.

The predominantly flat, asphalted circular trail around the reservoir is a good eleven kilometres long and is suitable for many recreational sports: from hiking, jogging and cycling to inline skating and Nordic biking. However, because drinking water is extracted here, the invitingly clear water is off-limits for swimming.

After the flat loop around the dam, the only significant ascent of this tour awaits you.

A forest path with a rapid ascent takes you to the eastern edge of Nurn. Follow the gravel path southwards for one kilometre to reach the viewpoint.

Although this stone desert was artificially created by humans, over time it has become a unique natural biotope. It was created when the 2207 state road between Steinwiesen and Mauthaus was widened. It consists of 30,000 cubic metres of rock material that form a bizarre rocky landscape.

Today, the rocky desert is a habitat for rare plants and animals, including many lizards and the protected smooth snake, which is completely harmless to humans. From here, the view sweeps over the hills and valleys of the Franconian Forest from a height of 500 metres.

From the fantastic view on the hilltop, you first return to Nurn and from there continue along the tarmac road through the forest back to Rodachtal.

If you like, take a break en route in Marktrodach at Stegner's country beer garden (Kulmbacher Str. 10, 96364 Marktrodach, tel. 09261/2640) or, in bad weather, in the rustic barn next door. Here you can enjoy Franconian specialities and snacks from our own production and every month a special draught beer from the region.

Now it's not far to Kronach.

When the State Garden Show opened in Kronach in 2002, the town had successfully completed the largest clean-up of contaminated sites in the history of Bavaria. Where the rivers Haßlach and Kronach join the Rodach, there was previously an unsightly and heavily polluted industrial estate.

Twenty years ago, a spacious 14-hectare park was created on this site against the backdrop of the Rosenberg fortress. Today, the Landesgartenschaupark attracts people of all ages. Sports enthusiasts can let off steam at the adventure and water playground, volleyball court, skate park and climbing tower. Those who want to unwind can take a look at the sculptures, meet up at the lakeside stage or take a stroll through the educational garden.

The way back to Kronach railway station leads northwards along the water.
But don't forget to return your hire e-bike before you get on the train.