Motorcycle Tours

The winding routes of the Bavarian Forest are a dream for every motorcyclist. Discovering some of the scenic highlights of the Ilz Valley is best done by motorbike. You can start the tours at any of the named points.

Three Countries Tour
You can discover the most beautiful corners of the Bavarian and Bohemian Forests and Upper Austria on a stretch of about 350 kilometers. The route leads from Thurmansbang through Tittling, Perlesreut, Ringelai and Freyung to the Philippsreut border crossing. The stops on the Czech side are Wallern, Krumau, Rosenberg and Bad Leonfelden. Passing Aigen, Schwarzenberg/Lackenhäuser, Jandelsbrunn, Waldkirchen, Hutthurm und Tittling you will return back to the starting point.

The Glass Blower Tour
Approximately 150 kilometers will lead bikers though the former glass-manufacturing centers in the Bavarian Forest. The tour leads from Thurmansbang over Tittling, Perlesreut, Ringelai, Freyung, Neuschönau, Spiegelau, Klingenbrunn, Zwiesel, Regen and Schönberg back again to Thurmansbang .

The Bavarian Forest Tour
This tour will take motorcyclists through the entire Bavarian Forest and is approx. 250 kilometers long. It takes you from Thurmansbang over Innernzell, Kirchberg i. Wald, Rusel, Deggendorf, Mariaposching, Bogen, St. Englmar, Viechtach, Teisnach, Bodenmais, the Mount Arber, Bayerisch Eisenstein, Ludwigsthal, Lindberg, Spiegelhütte, Frauenau, Spiegelau, Kirchdorf, Schönberg, Hals and Saldenburg back to Thurmansbang.

Danube Tour
The Upper Austrian provincial capital is the destination of this approximately 180 kilometers long route. Starting from Thurmansbang, it leads over Passau, Achleiten, and Engelhartszell to Lenz. The trip back will lead you through the Mühlviertel by way of Rohrbach, Aigen, Schlägl, Breitenberg, Jandelsbrunn, Waldkirchen and Tittling.


The Danube-Forest Tour
The "Donau-Wald-Tour" will take you on a trip of about 200 kilometers, starting in  Thurmansbang and passing Saldenburg, Solla, Innernzell, Schönberg, Grafenau, Spiegelau, Altschönau, Finsterau, Mauth, Kreuzberg, Freyung, Philippsreut, Haidmühle, Neureichenau, Breitenberg, Wegscheid, Obernzell, Passau, Ruderting, Hutthurm, Kalteneck, Fürsteneck, Rappenhof and Tittling.

The Elephant Rally

The world’s oldest and largest motorcyclist’s winter gathering for will be held for the 52nd time from the 25th till 27th January, 2008, in Loh near Solla, in the community of Thurmansbang, in the Bavarian Forest. It is located approximately 40 kilometers north of Passau.

Even after more than 50 years, it remains a unique experience for all motorcyclists. Participants from all parts of Europe and beyond provide for a very special atmosphere. Around the campfires, in the snow-covered valley, different languages can be heard, and yet, they all celebrate peacefully together. In the "Hexenkessel” (witches boiling pot) in Loh, there are no distinctions, no matter what nationality, what profession, what age or what your “ride” (motorcycle) might be. It goes without saying that “ET” needs no tent with live music or other forms of entertainment. At least once in a lifetime, any true motorcyclist has to have seen the original gathering of the BVDM (German Motorcyclist Federation) elephants. Almost everybody who has experienced this incomparable atmosphere likes to return year after year.
More than 5,000 visitors from all over Europe are expected to attend in 2008. Of course, there are trophies for the best self-constructed bike, the furthest traveled or the oldest participant. Since it is purely a motorcycle meeting, quads and of course cars are still explicitly not allowed on the site.
Admission costs from Friday till Sunday is Euro 20.00. BVDM and FEMA members pay a reduced admission of only Euro12.00. One day admission for Saturday only costs Euro 7.50.
Further information can be found at: www.bvdm.de or at the Thurmansbang Tourist Information Office, phone (08504)1642.