Nature Reserve Guide
Obere Ilz is a nature reserve in the Bavarian Forest, characterized by its largely untouched river landscape and wild forests. The Ilz river, often referred to as the "Black Pearl," flows through the area, creating diverse terrain with riverbanks and rock formations. This landscape provides a setting for several sports like hiking, jogging, touring cycling, road cycling, and more. The reserve spans 18 kilometers, encompassing the river, its islands, the valley floor, and steep slopes.
141
Routes
4.6
(1455)
Average rating
6480
People visited

4.7
(314)
1,053
hikers
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(138)
555
hikers
12.8km
03:24
120m
120m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(307)
1,073
hikers
12.8km
03:23
120m
120m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

4.8
(90)
399
hikers
4.49km
01:11
40m
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.2
(13)
140
runners
9.90km
01:03
90m
90m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
70
runners
4.80km
00:30
30m
30m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
70
runners
4.49km
00:28
40m
40m
Easy run. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

86
runners
9.62km
01:04
140m
140m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

4.8
(19)
98
riders
39.9km
03:30
490m
490m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(7)
49
riders
9.81km
00:54
60m
60m
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.4
(7)
49
riders
Easy bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.9
(12)
70
riders
30.5km
02:45
340m
340m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
89
riders
50.2km
02:25
600m
600m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
71
riders
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(6)
51
riders
67.3km
03:12
840m
840m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.8
(16)
158
riders
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(8)
20
riders
Hard mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the route may require you to push your bike.

4.9
(7)
22
riders
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.

4.2
(5)
27
riders
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(5)
15
riders
37.3km
03:10
920m
930m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?

5.0
(2)
17
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
11
riders
37.3km
02:36
500m
500m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

3
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
36.9km
02:34
800m
800m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
Get access to more routes and recommendations from other explorers.
Sign up for free
Already have an account?
The Obere Ilz nature reserve offers a range of outdoor activities including Hiking, Jogging, Touring cycling, Road cycling, Mountain biking, and Gravel biking. More than 90 routes are available across these sports, with an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Visitors can explore various trails and routes tailored to different fitness levels.
Popular hiking trails include the 'Ilz footbridge at Dießensteiner Mühle – Ilz Valley Trail loop from Obere Ilz,' a moderate route spanning about 7.9 miles (12.8 km). Another frequently visited trail is 'Ilz footbridge at Dießensteiner Mühle – Schneidermühle on the Ilz loop from Schrottenbaummühle,' also moderate and approximately 7.5 miles (12.2 km) long. For more options, explore hiking in Obere Ilz.
Yes, Obere Ilz features easy hiking trails suitable for various skill levels. An example is the 'Ilz Valley – Wooden bridge over the Ilz loop from Schrottenbaummühle,' which is about 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long. This route offers an accessible way to experience the reserve's natural beauty. More easy options are available in the Easy hikes in Obere Ilz guide.
Obere Ilz provides diverse cycling opportunities, including touring, road, mountain, and gravel biking. A popular touring cycling route is the 'Schrottenbaummühle – Bench Under the Rock loop from Schrottenbaummühle,' a moderate route of about 19 miles (30.5 km). Cyclists can find more routes in the Cycling in Obere Ilz guide.
The Obere Ilz nature reserve is defined by the largely untouched Ilz river, often called the 'Black Pearl,' flowing through wild forests. It features romantic riverbanks, impressive rock formations, and steep slopes known as 'Ilzleiten.' The reserve spans about 11 miles (18 km) and covers 940 acres (380 hectares), protecting a significant river landscape.
Non-motorized boating on the Ilz river is permitted during specific periods, typically from July 1st to April 30th. Year-round rowing is allowed in the backwater area near Schrottenbaummühle. These regulations help protect the sensitive river ecosystem.
Obere Ilz is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 5,700 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the region have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings. This indicates a high level of satisfaction among users exploring the area.
Komoot offers several guides for Obere Ilz, covering various activities and points of interest. These include guides for Hiking in Obere Ilz, Running Trails, Cycling, and Attractions in Obere Ilz. There are also specific guides for Easy hikes and Natural Monuments.
The Schrottenbaummühle is a notable location within the reserve that offers amenities. It serves as a perfect spot for both hikers and cyclists, providing an inn and camping facilities. Other services may be available in nearby towns and villages surrounding the nature reserve.
For additional information about the Ilz region, including the nature reserve, the official website is www.ilztal.de. For direct inquiries, the Tourist-Information Saldenburg can be contacted at +49 8504 912312. These resources provide further details on local attractions and services.
The trails in Obere Ilz cater to a wide range of fitness levels. Options include easy, accessible paths suitable for beginners and families, as well as more demanding routes that require good fitness and sure-footedness. Each route on komoot is graded by difficulty, from easy to difficult.

