Odenwald

Mountain biking in the Odenwald: flow trails, a volcanic summit and quiet forests

The Odenwald is a low mountain range between the Rhine, Main and Neckar rivers – and one of southern Germany's most underrated riding areas. Instead of crowded alpine uplifts you get wooded ridges, deeply carved valleys and singletrack that stays calm even on summer weekends. The Baden-Württemberg section around Mosbach, Eberbach and Waldbrunn sits inside the Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park and forms part of the UNESCO Bergstraße-Odenwald Geopark.

Its highest point is the Katzenbuckel at 626 metres – an extinct volcano whose former quarry now cradles the tranquil Katzenbuckelsee. On a clear day the observation tower reaches as far as the Black Forest and the Taunus. That constant rhythm of short, punchy climbs and flowing descents is what makes the region special: rewarding, varied and never high-alpine.

Legal trails and bike parks

The centrepiece is the Flowtrail Mosbach: three descent lines graded green, blue and red plus a dedicated climb, built with berms and jumps for that signature roller-coaster feel. Beginners roll the green flow line; more experienced riders find small jump lines on blue and red. A few kilometres away, the Katzenbuckel Dirtpark in Waldbrunn adds jumps and drops for a more playful session. Combine that with countless forest roads and hiker-friendly loops through the Neckar valley and you can easily mix trail laps with cruising miles.

When to come

The Odenwald's western slopes are among the mildest corners of Germany – along the Bergstraße, almonds and cherries bloom up to two weeks earlier than elsewhere. That noticeably extends the riding season, from the first dry days of March into a golden autumn. After prolonged rain, though, the loamy forest soil needs a day to dry out – a quick look at current conditions before you set off saves disappointment.