Black Forest by bike and on foot
The Black Forest is one of Germany's top destinations for active holidays. Germany's largest mid-mountain region offers cycling routes and hiking trails of varying difficulty, crossing lakes, valleys, forests, pastures and small rural villages.
Along the routes you will come across refuges, inns and farms where you can stop to taste cheeses, bacon and other regional specialties. Here are eight itineraries to consider when planning a trip to the Black Forest.
Gravel from Baiersbronn to Hornisgrinde
The Baiersbronner Hornisgrinde circuit measures about 70 kilometers and exceeds 1,000 meters in altitude. It starts in Baiersbronn, a town known for its gastronomic offer, and runs along the Black Forest National Park to the summit of the 1,164-meter-high Hornisgrinde. From the summit you can see the Rhine Valley and the French Vosges. For a stop along the way, you can reach the Grinde-Hütte, a panoramic hut built with local wood.
At the source of the Danube
The Etappe NULL Donauradweg is a 98-kilometre cycle route that starts in Donaueschingen. The route connects the sources of the Brigach and Breg, the two watercourses from which the Danube originates. Suitable for touring bikes and e-bikes, it runs through forests, meadows and small villages with inns and rural breweries. It can also be the starting point for continuing along the Danube Cycle Route.
The lakes of the Upper Black Forest
The Seenradweg Hochschwarzwald connects Titisee, Schluchsee, Windgfällweiher and Feldsee in a route of about 70 kilometers. The route alternates between secondary roads, cycle paths and forest paths, with moderate differences in height that make it particularly suitable for e-bikes. Along the way, there are several gastronomic stops at local cheese factories and restaurants.
The Kinzigtal with children
The Kinzigtal-Radweg follows the Kinzig River for about 90 kilometers, from Freudenstadt to Offenburg. The slight descent also makes the route accessible to families. Bathing areas, playgrounds, museums and mines that can be visited accompany the journey. The numerous train stations allow you to reduce the length of the stage according to your needs.
Hike to the Belchen massif
In the southern Black Forest, a route of around 22 kilometres starts at the valley station of the Belchen cable car and leads through pastures and isolated farms. The Kälbelescheuer alpine inn offers a panoramic terrace and traditional dishes. On a clear day, the view reaches the Markgräflerland and the Vosges.
The Feldberg Trail
The Feldbergsteig is a 12.4-kilometre route on the highest mountain in the Black Forest, the Feldberg, which reaches 1,493 metres. The trail leads through forests, wooden bridges and viewpoints, past the St. Wilhelmer Hütte. Located at 1,423 meters, it is the highest alpine hut in Baden-Württemberg. The route then continues towards the glacial lake Feldsee.
The Lauterbacher Wandersteig
This challenging 34-kilometre loop climbs over 1,350 metres in altitude and passes through red sandstone formations, pastures, traditional farms and rural chapels. The highest point is the Mooswaldkopf at 879 metres. Nearby is the Turmhütte, an inn with regional cuisine and rooms that allow you to divide the walk into two days.
From the Mummelsee to the Hornisgrinde
The Mummelsee-Hornisgrindepfad is a circular route of about seven kilometres. Walk through forests and wooden walkways to the Hornisgrinde plateau. From the top, a wide panorama of the Rhine plain opens up. Next to the lookout tower, the Grinde-Hütte allows you to end the hike with a break dedicated to the flavours of the region.
Quaint cities to visit around the Black Forest include Baden-Baden, Karlsruhe, Rastatt, Strasbourg and Stuttgart, which can be easily combined with a stay in the region.
The Black Forest offers various possibilities for accommodation in facilities equipped with every comfort.
To find the ideal hotel you can search by places of interest, in the most important cities of the Black Forest.
