Nature Reserve Guide
Lower Franconia is home to more than 20 nature reserves that protect a diverse range of the region's natural heritage. These protected areas span from the densely wooded hills of the Spessart Nature Park to the open, volcanic plateaus of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve. The region's landscapes also include unique habitats such as the sandy grasslands near Alzenau and the riverine meadows along the Main. The extensive network of trails within these reserves supports a variety of outdoor activities, including hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling.
This list of nature reserves in Lower Franconia aggregates more than 3,000 routes for activities like hiking and cycling. More than 142,000 visitors have shared their experiences, giving these areas an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Among the top nature reserves in Lower Franconia is the Lange Rhön, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve with numerous routes for road cycling across its vast basalt plateaus. The Schwarze Berge offers a mix of forest and meadow landscapes with a dense network of hiking trails. In the Main river valley, the Mainaue Bei Augsfeld provides level terrain ideal for touring cycling through its wetlands and oxbow lakes. These reserves are specifically managed to conserve biodiversity, offering opportunities to experience protected ecosystems on designated paths.
3843
Routes
4.6
(31077)
Average rating
142K+
Explored with komoot
Last updated: April 23, 2026

4.7
(5836)
22,177
hikers
Lange Rhön, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, features expansive basalt plateaus and open grasslands, offering diverse routes for hiking, gravel biking, and road cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(2992)
12,250
hikers
Sinnquellgebiet Und Arnsbergsüdhang is a nature reserve in the Rhön Mountains, offering diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(2130)
9,398
hikers
Reiterswiesener Höhe-Häuserlohwäldchen is a 400-hectare nature reserve in Bavaria, offering diverse terrain for hiking, touring, mountain, and road cycling on its extensive path network.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(2002)
9,070
hikers
Mainaue bei Augsfeld is a 616-hectare nature reserve along the Main River, offering diverse landscapes for cycling, hiking, and mountain biking routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1980)
9,050
hikers
Mainaue Bei Augsfeld is a 616-hectare nature reserve in Bavaria, offering diverse routes for cycling and hiking through its riverine landscapes, oxbow lakes, and meadows.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1675)
8,787
hikers
Grainberg-Kalbenstein Und Saupurzel is a Bavarian nature reserve offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking amidst unique geological formations.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1620)
8,382
hikers
Ehemaliger Standortübungsplatz Aschaffenburg Und Altenbachgrund is a 293.5-hectare nature reserve with diverse terrain, perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1338)
7,036
hikers
Altmain Und Sandmagerrasen Bei Limbach is a nature reserve in Lower Franconia, Germany, offering diverse riverine landscapes and lean grasslands for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(1602)
6,375
hikers
Steinberg Und Wein-Berg is a nature reserve in Lower Franconia, Germany, offering diverse routes for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking across vineyards, dry grasslands, and rocky terrain.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(1450)
6,179
hikers
Schwarze Berge is a nature reserve in Lüneburger Heide with hills, valleys, a lake, and mixed woodland, offering diverse routes for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(1076)
4,822
hikers
Spessartwiesen is a Bavarian nature reserve known for its meadow valleys and diverse habitats, offering routes for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(743)
4,097
hikers
Mäusberg-Rammersberg-Ständelberg is a nature reserve in Lower Franconia, Germany, offering diverse routes for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking across its hills, grasslands, and forests.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.7
(694)
3,976
hikers
Graureiherkolonie Am Salzberg is a nature reserve in Lower Franconia, Germany, known for its riparian landscape, diverse bird habitat, and routes for cycling and hiking.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(799)
3,946
hikers
Sodenberg-Gans is a nature reserve in Lower Franconia with volcanic origins, offering diverse terrain for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking routes.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(951)
3,842
hikers
Waldwiesen Im Neuwirtshäuser Forst is a Bavarian nature reserve with diverse forests and meadows, offering tranquil routes for hiking and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(521)
3,502
hikers
Hohe Wann is a nature reserve in Bavaria's Haßberge Nature Park, offering diverse mixed forests, dry grasslands, and panoramic views for hiking, mountain biking, and cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(558)
2,892
hikers
Sinngrund is a Lower Franconian nature reserve in Spessart Nature Park, offering diverse routes for road cycling, hiking, and jogging through rolling hills and river valleys.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(556)
2,763
hikers
Unteres Schondratal is a nature reserve with a deeply incised valley and mixed forests, offering diverse terrain for hiking, mountain biking, and road cycling.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.5
(516)
2,641
hikers
Trockengebiete Bei Machtilshausen is a nature reserve with dry grasslands, vineyards, and forests, offering diverse routes for hiking, cycling, and mountain biking.
Hiking
Running
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling

4.6
(510)
2,451
hikers
Ruine Homburg is a nature reserve in Switzerland offering diverse terrain for hiking, road cycling, and mountain biking routes, with panoramic views from historic castle ruins.
Hiking
Running
Mountaineering
Mountain biking
Gravel riding
Road cycling
Cycling
The nature reserves in Lower Franconia are protected areas that conserve a variety of landscapes, from the volcanic plateaus of the Rhön Biosphere Reserve to the dense forests of the Spessart. This page aggregates more than 25 of these reserves, which feature a network of over 3,800 routes for outdoor activities. Notable examples include the expansive Lange Rhön and the riverine wetlands of Mainaue Bei Augsfeld.
Several nature reserves in Lower Franconia are recognized for their extensive trail networks and unique landscapes. The Lange Rhön, part of a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is known for its open basalt plateaus. The Schwarze Berge offers a mix of forests and meadows, while Mainaue Bei Augsfeld protects important riverine habitats along the Main.
The primary activities in Lower Franconia's nature reserves are hiking, cycling, and mountain biking. The region's varied terrain supports a wide range of human-powered sports. Specific guides are available for activities such as MTB Trails in Lower Franconia and Cycling in Lower Franconia.
While there are over 130 designated nature reserves in the administrative region of Lower Franconia, this page focuses on the 26 reserves with the most extensive networks of trails for outdoor activities. These areas have been visited by more than 142,000 people in the komoot community.
The nature reserves offer more than 3,800 routes, with hiking being a dominant activity. Trails range from level paths through river meadows in Altmain Und Sandmagerrasen Bei Limbach to challenging ascents in the Rhön mountains. The Lange Rhön alone contains more than 65 designated hiking trails.
Yes, cycling is a popular activity with routes available for road cycling, touring, and gravel biking. The Lange Rhön offers over 30 road cycling routes across its high plateaus. Flatter routes suitable for touring cycling can be found in reserves along the Main river, such as Mainaue bei Augsfeld.
Mountain biking is well-supported, with numerous trails across the region's varied topography. Reserves like Sinnquellgebiet Und Arnsbergsüdhang in the Rhön mountains feature over 15 MTB trails. The forested hills of the Spessart region also provide many opportunities for mountain biking on designated paths.
Yes, many reserves offer trails suitable for a range of abilities. For specific recommendations, there are curated guides for Family-friendly hikes in Lower Franconia and Dog-friendly hikes in Lower Franconia. Visitors with dogs should always check local regulations, as restrictions can apply in protected areas to safeguard wildlife.
The Lange Rhön is characterized by expansive, open basalt plateaus and grasslands, earning it the name "Land of Open Distances." This UNESCO Biosphere Reserve features a unique high-altitude landscape with rolling hills and scattered moorlands, such as the Schwarzes Moor. Its open terrain provides panoramic views and is ideal for hiking, road cycling, and gravel biking.
The Schwarze Berge, or Black Mountains, is one of Bavaria's largest non-Alpine nature reserves. Its name comes from the dark basalt rock of its rolling peaks, which are remnants of ancient volcanism. The landscape is a mosaic of extensive meadows and forests, with a dense network of hiking trails.
Nature reserves have the highest level of protection, established to preserve specific habitats, species, or geological features, often with strict access rules. Other designations, such as those found on the Protected Areas in Lower Franconia page, may include landscape protection areas or nature parks, which balance conservation with recreation and sustainable use over larger territories.

