SiLi-Fichtelgebirge Mountain Bike Marathon Warmensteinach

Mountain Bike Marathon in the Fichtelgebirge

The Fichtelgebirge in northeastern Bavaria is one of Upper Franconia's most scenic regions: granite peaks like the Schneeberg (1,051 m) and the Ochsenkopf (1,024 m), extensive forests, high moors, and quaint villages. This topography makes the region one of the best mountain biking areas in Southern Germany — and the SiLi Marathon is the most important race event in the area.

Two Distances

The marathon offers two competitions: a 25 km medium distance and a 50 km long distance. Both routes use service roads, single trails, and short asphalt sections — challenging but achievable for ambitious hobby riders. The elevation gain and route profile are characteristic of a typical Fichtelgebirge profile with several steep climbs and technical descents.

Cube Cup and Upper Franconia Championship

The race is integrated into two classifications: for the Cube Cup classification (short and medium distances), a nationwide series, and for the Upper Franconian MTB Marathon Championship for licensed riders. This attracts both ambitious hobby riders and licensed racers from all over Southern Germany.

WSV Oberwarmensteinach as Organizer

The Wintersportverein Oberwarmensteinach is an unusual organizer for a mountain bike marathon: the club primarily focuses on winter sports but has been organizing the summer marathon for years to extend the season and generate additional revenue for winter sports infrastructure. The volunteer helpers come from the club and local community associations.

Warmensteinach in the Bayreuth District

Warmensteinach is a municipality in the Bayreuth district in the northern Fichtelgebirge with around 2,000 inhabitants. In winter, the town is known as a ski resort (lifts on the Ochsenkopf), and in summer, as a mountain biking and hiking region.