The Fichtel Mountains is a mountain range in Germany and the Czech Republic. They extend from the valley of the Red Main River in northeastern Bavaria to the Karlovy Vary Region in western Czech Republic. The Fichtel Mountains contain an important nature park, the Fichtel Mountain Nature Park. The Elster Mountains are a part of the Fichtel Mountains.
The Schneeberg (left) and the Ochsenkopf (right), seen from Heinersreuth
Characteristic landscape in the Fichtel Mountains
View of the Fichtel Mountains from Waldstein
Source of the Saale
The Red Main is a river in southern Germany. It is the southern, left headstream of the river Main. It rises in the hills of Franconian Switzerland, near Haag and flows generally northwest through the towns Creußen, Bayreuth, Heinersreuth and Neudrossenfeld. It merges with the White Main near Kulmbach to form the Main. The Red Main is 72 kilometres (45 mi) long and descends a total of 283 metres (928 ft).
The Red Main east of Bayreuth
Source in the Lindenhardt Forest
Confluence of the Red and White Main near Kulmbach
Keuper outcrop on the Bodenmühlwand