Feengrotten sounds like a fairy tale, and that's not a bad thing, because a trail center has been created in the area near the Thuringian town of Saalfeld within a short space of time. The trails have been used since the 90s, but only became official in 2024. There is even a network of routes around it called the Fairy Bike Paradise.

A few years ago, the single trails in the east of Germany produced Nina Hoffmann. The 2022 downhill vice world champion and four-time World Cup winner switched from javelin throwing to downhill biking after an injury and stayed.

Community ride with Nina Hoffmann at the inauguration 

Now the trail center bears her name, and she is also said to have advised the trail builders. The result is five natural single trails with enticing names such as Grottenduro, Feenflug and Wilder Hunt. The character of the trail center is enduro, the five trails add up to a good 850 Elevation loss, so they can be combined into a decent lap. She skillfully demonstrates on Instagram that the trails also challenge DH pro Hoffmann.

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Feen Bike Trailcenter (@feen.bike.trailcenter)

A good opportunity to get to know the Feen Bike Trailcenter is the Community Ride with Nina Hoffmann on Sunday, September 22 at 9.30 am. Judging by the program, the participants will ride the entire trail selection: 22 kilometers and 900 metres in altitude are the order of the day.

More trails are to be created in the coming years. In official communications at least, a little mountain bike fairytale is taking place around the fairy grottos, with the authorities, tourism and the bike community working hand in hand. And if they haven't crashed, they're still riding today. 

More info Trailcenter and Community Ride