Hiking Days at Wildflecken Training Area

Hiking on Otherwise Restricted Terrain

The Hiking Days at Wildflecken Training Area are a special event: Only twice a year does the Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) open its Wildflecken Training Area in the Bavarian Rhön to the civilian population. The starting point for the hike is the Motten sports field in the neighboring market town of Motten – from there, the marked routes lead into the otherwise restricted military grounds.

Three Routes, 11 to 19 Kilometers

Three marked hiking routes are available, ranging from 11 to 19 kilometers in length. All three routes lead over the distinctive heights and viewpoints of the training area:

• Dalherdakuppe – panoramic viewpoint
• Ottersteine – striking rock formation
• Dreifelskuppe – rocky height with a wide view
• Dammersfeldkuppe – the highest elevation of the training area (928 m)

"All hiking routes offer breathtaking views in all directions" – this is how the organizers describe the natural experience.

Start Times, Fee, Format

Hiking starts are staggered from 6:00 AM to 12:00 PM. A small fee of €2.50 is charged as a security and information contribution (€4.00 with a pin). The accessible format appeals to families and solo hikers alike.

Safety Rules

As this is a military training area, strict rules apply:

• Hike only on marked paths
• Dogs on leash
• Bicycles forbidden
• Smoking forbidden outside of break areas
• Do not touch any ammunition remnants

Emergency numbers are available for emergencies (0151 74232609 or 09745 34 4444).

Wildflecken in the Bavarian Rhön

Wildflecken is a market town with around 2,700 inhabitants in the Bad Kissingen district (Lower Franconia, Bavaria), located in the Hochrhön region. The Wildflecken Training Area has existed since 1937 and covers approximately 7,000 hectares – one of the largest military training facilities in Southern Germany. From a nature conservation perspective, the area is of high value due to its size and the flora and fauna that are hardly disturbed by human activity.

Hiking Days as a Tradition

The annual hiking days have been a fixed date in the Rhön hiking calendar for years. The combination of a natural experience, a landscape shaped by military use, and the rarity of being allowed to enter this area makes the event a regionally well-known format.