Hiking in the footsteps of an Olympic champion - Ore Mountains Welcome New Eric Frenzel Trails Network
The Ore Mountains are set to welcome a new attraction with the ongoing development of the 'Eric-Frenzel-Wanderwege'. Several trails are already open to the public, with more in progress. This project is part of a larger initiative that includes a partner project in the Upper Palatinate, creating a network of trails named after the legendary Nordic combined skier, Eric Frenzel.
Frenzel, a native of the Ore Mountains and a three-time Olympic gold medalist, co-designed the trails. The network in the Ore Mountains alone plans to cover 18 circular hiking trails, totaling around 180 kilometers. When combined with the Upper Palatinate's 19 trails over 230 kilometers, the total network will span 290 kilometers.
The trails cater to various activities, including hiking, Nordic walking, and trail running. They range from manageable 10-kilometer loops to longer 22-kilometer routes, designed to be completed in half a day or a full day. The two projects reinforce each other, with the Ore Mountains' trails complementing those in the Upper Palatinate.
The 'Eric-Frenzel Trails' are expected to boost tourism in both regions. While a feasibility study has been submitted, the final implementation of the concept is still being worked out. The trails, once complete, will offer visitors a unique way to explore the landscapes that shaped Frenzel's career.
