The best traffic-free bike rides around Schmitten

Today I rode an e-bike, trekking bike. 10 years ago we lived in Weilburg and remembered the path much better. It was probably expanded once and then nobody took care of it anymore. Due to use by tractors and the like, the path between Guntersau and Dorfweil is in a catastrophic condition for 80% of its length. It can no longer be called a bike path, it is a hiking trail and at best suitable for mountain bikes.

The extensive deforestation has afforded a fantastic view of Reifenberg and Feldberg. It's well worth stopping here to enjoy the panorama.

The historic Roder Bridge in Neuweilnau, a district of Weilrod in the Taunus Mountains, is a picturesque destination for hikers and cyclists. The bridge spans the Weil River and connects the district to the hiking trail between Gemünden and Neuweilnau. The hiking trail, marked by a yellow bar, leads about 1 km north of Neuweilnau over the Weil River and the main road, offering magnificent views of the Weil Valley. Starting in Neuweilnau, perhaps at the miniature golf course, is particularly recommended for exploring the surrounding area. The region is rich in nature and history and invites you to long hikes and bike rides. The Roder Bridge itself is a beautiful photo opportunity and an ideal place for a short rest during your excursion. The combination of historic architecture and idyllic scenery makes the bridge a worthwhile destination in the Taunus.

The 23.37-hectare area, situated on a steep slope at an elevation of 650 to 700 m[1] above sea level, was declared a nature reserve in 1983. These are nutrient-poor meadows, historically created by grazing. The inhabitants of the extremely poor Feldberg villages cleared the few areas where agriculture was possible. Due to the altitude and slope, only grazing was possible in the Reifenberger meadows. After the Second World War, the automation of agriculture made the cultivation of these areas uneconomical. They were left to their own devices and developed a diversity of plants worthy of protection. However, they remain cultural landscapes that would disappear without human intervention. Without human intervention, the meadows would become overgrown with scrub and, over time, transform into forest. The last clearing of a 10-hectare area took place in early 2012 to combat this effect. The nature reserve is home to plants such as Turk's cap lily, common millet, and helleborine, which are specialized in poor soils, and serve as a breeding ground and refuge for birds and animals. The very rare lanceolate bellflower, found only in the Palatinate and the High Taunus, is primarily found in the Taunus in and around the Reifenberg meadows.

The Reifenberger Meadows are a nature reserve between Oberreifenberg and Niederreifenberg in the Hochtaunus district. The 23.37-hectare area, situated on a steep slope at an elevation of 650 to 700 m[1] above sea level, was declared a nature reserve in 1983. These are nutrient-poor meadows, historically created by pastoral farming. The inhabitants of the extremely poor Feldberg villages cleared the few areas where agriculture was possible. Due to the altitude and slope, only pastoral farming was possible in the Reifenberger Meadows area. After the Second World War, the automation of agriculture made farming these areas uneconomical. They were left to their own devices and developed a diversity of plants worthy of protection. However, they remain cultural landscapes that would disappear without human intervention. Without human intervention, the meadows would become overgrown with scrub and, over time, transform into forest. The last clearing of a 10-hectare section took place in early 2012 to combat this effect. The nature reserve is home to plants such as Turk's cap lily, common millet, and helleborine, which are specialized in poor soils, and serve as a breeding ground and refuge for birds and animals. The very rare lanceolate bellflower, found only in the Palatinate and the High Taunus, is primarily found in the Taunus in and around the Reifenberg meadows.

The Taunus Club is an association of currently 20 legally independent hiking clubs with a combined membership of over 2,000. Annually, a star hike takes place to the cross at Stockborn, where a memorial service is held for the members who died in the previous year.

A really beautiful section in the Weiltal, great to ride 🚴‍♂️👍🏼

One of countless views of the Feldberg and Niederreifenberg