Trails & Beyond

In the Spotlight: Lower Frankonia

From the gentle slopes of the Rhön peaks down to the sun-drenched steep vineyards of the Main Quadrangle, Lower Franconia is a place that fulfills the promise of joie de vivre and tradition with every mile. Magnificent baroque buildings, left as a legacy in stone by Prince-Bishops, the clinking of wine glasses on the walls of the Main bridges, and the deep-rooted warmth of the people who effortlessly blend past and present in their half-timbered idylls—as if time here were an old, dear friend.

Lower Franconia offers an extraordinary variety. From vast, vine-draped cultural landscapes and the mystical woodlands of the Spessart to vibrant urban centers—it all comes together naturally in the Franconian northwest.

The designation "Lower Franconia" is, as so often in history, a product of bureaucracy and hardly reflects the proud independence of its inhabitants. The term only became established in the 19th century when the former Duchy of Franconia was reorganized within the Kingdom of Bavaria. Originally, the region was known as the "Lower Main District," which—analogous to Upper Bavaria—describes its relative position along the river: following the course of the Main, Lower Franconia simply lies "downstream" before the river reaches the Hessian border. Yet, anyone savoring the local "Franconian wine" from a Bocksbeutel bottle has long known: culinarily and culturally, the region is in a league of its own.

Trails & Beyond

In the Spotlight: Upper Bavaria

From the Alpine peaks reaching into the clouds down to the lush Danube basin, the Free State of Bavaria is a place that delivers everything the clichés promise. Fairytale castles left behind by a Bavarian king, cowbells chiming around the necks of cows grazing on flower-strewn meadows, and Lederhosen and Dirndl attire worn by people in their medieval fortified towns as they go about their daily work as if they had just stepped out of a time machine.

Upper Bavaria offers a unique diversity. From hop-laden cultural landscapes to Alpine natural wonders and vibrant urban centers—all of this is naturally part of the Upper Bavarian soul.

The designation "Upper Bavaria" has evolved several times over the centuries and pays no heed to tribal or linguistic boundaries. Notably, there is no such thing as a specifically "Upper Bavarian" dialect. The term first appeared in 1255 during the partition of Bavaria, though its original extent was different: back then, the Chiemgau and the area around Bad Reichenhall actually belonged to Lower Bavaria. The name refers to its relative position along the Danube and its tributaries: traveling downstream, Upper Bavaria is followed by Lower Bavaria, Upper Austria, and Lower Austria.