The elevation at the Bretterschachten Cross Country Centre ranges from 1118 m – 1265 m. There are 114 kilometres of cross country skiing in this area with 10 trails for classic and skating. It is amongst the 10 largest cross country skiing areas in Germany and also in the top 5 highest in elevation.
Photo Pauline Styles
Nice place for a pit stop. Photo Pauline Styles
Grosse Arber in the distance. Photo Pauline Styles
Nearing the end of the trail. Photo Pauline Styles
Tight bend on the track. Photo Pauline Styles
The nearest airports to Bodenmais are Linz, Munich and Prague. There are six airports within three hours drive. Fly to Munich airport with Easyjet and it is approximately a 2.5 hour transfer to Zwiesel or Bodenmais.
There are rail links to Bodenmais, from there you can get the local ski bus to the Activezentrum where all of the Bretterschachten ski tracks start from.
To transfer from Munich to Zwiesel by train, follow the Sign Z for Zentrum from the departure lounge. This is where all the ticket stands are. Look for the Red DB sign or Green S for S Bahn sign. You can purchase a Bayern ticket for the first person (around €22) and. up to 4 additional people only pay €4 each.
Catch the Number 635 Airport bus to Freising Bahnhof Railway Station (don’t go into Munich or you will have to come out again).
Platform 4/Glies 4 is the train to Pass. Get off at Plattling, and you need to change platform for the next train (lift available) to Platform 5, the Green WaldBahn train (Mountain railway) to Zwiesel, probably marked Bayerischer Eisensten. Don’t worry if the train from Munich is a little late getting to Plattling, as the Waldbahn train will wait for it.
The ski bus goes from Bodenmais to Bretterschachten from around 21st December to 1st March daily from 09:00 to 16.00 every half hour. From 2nd to 29th March the bus is hourly. There are 7 ski bus stops around the village and the ski bus transfer is free for holiday guests with the Guti guest card. If you are staying in Zwiesel there is also a ski bus each day, but check the Zwiesel page for the details.
The spacious activity centre has locker rooms and a waxing room, changing rooms and the use of deck chairs. There is a fee to ski and you can buy a weekly or daily pass at the Centre from the outside kiosk at the start of the tracks. The dial above it shows the current temperature to check your wax and reapply if necessary before setting off.
You can find more information on the Auerhahnloipe at Loipenfetisch.de
Start at the main area:
1K - easy terrain
1 - 3K - moderately difficult climbs and descents
3 - 4K - moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.
Start from the centre:
1K - easy terrain
1-3K - moderately difficult climbs and descents
3 - 5K moderately steep climb
5 - 6K moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.
Start from the centre:
1K - easy terrain
1-3K - undulating terrain in between a great panoramic view over Bodenmais
4K - moderate climb up to Hochzellschachten, a broad view of the Arber massif
4 - 9K - moderate climbs and descents back to the centre.
From the main start area:
1K - easy terrain
1 - 3 - moderately difficult climbs and descents
3 - 4.5K - demanding ascent
6K - easy descent
7K - moderate ascent
8-9K - flat terrain with slight ascent
10-12K - moderately difficult descent and ascent to the finish.
This is a varied trail with viewpoints.
From the main start area:
1K - easy terrain
1 - 3 - moderately difficult climbs and descents
3 - 4K - difficult ascent
6K - easy descent
7K - moderate ascent
8-9K - easy descent and rapid ascent
10-13K - 4-15K - medium to difficult descent and climbs to the return
Dense forest alternating with open spaces and wonderful views are features of this tour.
More information at Loipenfetisch.de
For 1 - 7K the route is identical to the red marked 15 km trail. Then continue for approx 1 km on an easy trail and a 1K long moderately difficult climb, to the Kleiner Arber refuge (Chamer Hütte) where you can get some well deserved refreshments or shelter at the highest point in the Bavarian Forest at 1289m.
After 2 flat sections and a short steep descent, the route is integrated into the red trail again.
Dense forest, open spaces with wonderful views, varied terrain and a cozy place to stop so there is something for everyone on this tour.
There is an alternative trail - Auerhahn Road – which provides some flat terrain with medium to hard ascents and an alternative descent to the Chamer Hütte.
This route goes up to the Schareben the same route as the Auerhahnhöhenloipe Scharben and is a difficult route with demanding climbs and descents from Schareben. Almost half way along the Orange route, just near the sign for the walking route to Bodenmais Silberberg-Hallenbad, you will see the sign to a black route which goes to Schareben. Take this for an additional leg to the 18K route, and there is the reward of a restaurant when you reach Berghutte Schareben. Return from here or carry onto the next leg to Bergasthof Eck.
1-8K - the route is identical to the orange marked 18 km trail
9-13K - a longer medium to difficult descents, a slight climb, many flat passages and a long easy descent to the Schareben.
The rest of the route offers demanding climbs and descents.
From 1-8K the route is identical to the orange marked 18K trail. Longer moderately difficult descents up to 13K, a slight ascent, flat passages and a long descent to the Schareben.
A varied and demanding tour with plenty of viewpoints.
The Skadi Loppet used to be held in March each year, but because of lack of snow in recent years, it has moved to the end of January. It is one of the Euroloppet series of races and has the options of 42K and 24K Classic and 32K and 17K Free technique races. The course follows the ski trails mentioned above in various guises.
There are a variety of areas nearby to stay, and then catch a bus to the Ski Aktivzentrum. The nearest is Bodenmais , which is 5 miles away and also has some small cross country ski tracks, and Zwiesel, around a half an hour away which has another 70 kilometres of tracks.
Twitter: @Arberland, @Bodenmais
Facebook – Langlauf Bodenmais