Schi fond Ochsenkopf

**Cross-country skiing paradise Ochsenkopf *
Cross-country trails at 600-1000 meters above sealevel

Cross-country skiing at the prominent Ochsenkopf, the second highest mountain in Franconia, brings you closer to an original nature and let you train your arms, legs and back at the same time. Off the slopes, the regions shows with its four ski resorts Bischofsgrün, Fichtelberg Mehlmeisel and Warmensteinach you the soft side of a Frankish winter. Some 100 kilometers of cross-country skiing trails at 600-1024 meters invite you - in between wonderful snowshoe trails - to explore the snowy mountains.

The well-groomed trail network holds ready some convenient routes to be run in the classic style for leisurely recreational skiers and beginners. Challenging trails for skating athletes and marathon runners are available. A beautiful view promises the moderate 2.3-kilometer Summit Trail. Scenic are the 11 kilometer trail, called Königsheide and the 9 km trail above Königskron Mehlmeisel. Once around the Ochsenkopf there is the nearly 15 kilometers long lower Ring trail. Until 8 o´clock in the evening, you can use the 2.5 km long, redesigned and artificially snowed night-country trail at the illuminated Fichtelberger Bleaml Alm. The quaint restaurant is also apopular après-ski meeting point. Every kilometer of the trail network is depicted. There are detailed trail maps.

Information: Tourist Board Ochsenkopf, Gablonzer Straße 11, 95686 Fichtelberg, Service-Telephone 09272/97032, www.erlebnis-ochsenkopf.de. Zentrales Schneetelephone 09277/1213.