Bike & Climb: a skitour substitute at the german cradle of sport climbing

What to do if the weather is terrible over the Alps and no way our girls skitour adventure will happen at all? Instead of a snow adventure we decided it is time to welcome spring and go climbing and biking at the Frankenjura  – the only sunny to be spot according to the weather forecast within a 3 hours driving distance. The Frankenjura has been one of the premier rock climbing spots for since 1920. In the 60s Oscar Bühler started bolting the first sport climbing routes here (Bühler bolts have their origin here). Wolfgang Güllich and Kurt Albert climbed the first 9a worldwide here in 1991. So we thought it might be a great idea to have a short bike & climb trip having some of these great spirits rubbing in to us starting the 2014 climbing season.

Due to wet rocks – YES, we are just not british enough 😉 – we decided to enjoy the trails first, passing some of the best climbing spots arround Pottenstein. Awesome soft trails along little streams where great boulders and rocks seem to be sprinkled over the meadows. Little wooden bridges to cross the streams back and forth while continuing down the little valleys – we definately arrived in bikers and climbers paradise!

The next morning the sun was out early and we were up for some real rock. Climbing on Frankjura limestone is what every climber is dreaming of – great pockets, rough holds and positive ledges. Here we go! Nothing more to say: just enjoy!

After another short bike trip in the afternoon after our strength climbing constantly declined we found a little restaurant gem hidden in an old forester’s lodge. Serving slow food and delicious specialties this little restaurant was just the perfect place to end our short trip. And yes: they had great cake 😉 . Cheers!

Rebecca & Nadine

Bärenfels

Views onto Pottenstein

Nadine at  a bridge crossing

Trail flow

Along the streams

Nadine climbing the ridge

The forester's lodge

Schnaps ;)

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