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Cycling the Northern Black Forest

With its dense wooded mountains, smelling meadows, wild streams, the typical farmhouses and the healthy air, the Northern Black Forest belongs to one of the most popular vacation destinations in Germany. This bicyle tour leads you through some of the prettiest valleys in the Northern Black Forest.

Location

Black Forest

Start / End

Freudenstadt

Activity

Bicycling

Distance

45-70 km daily

Difficulty

easy-moderate

Duration

5 days/6 nights, (add on more days)
Inquire now

Overview

Itinerary

good to know

Map

Cycling the Northern Black Forest

spring, summer, fall
5 days/6 nights, (add on more days)

The Northern Black Forest is known for its remoteness. Some of the prettiest towns in the region are located right here – far away from touristy hotspots. Timber-framed buildings, gorgeous scenery, beautiful rivers, good restaurants and lots of fresh air – a good combo for the perfect active holiday.

  • We Handle All The Detail
  • Luggage Transfer Included
  • Hotels Included
  • Detailed Route Descriptions & Maps
  • Choice of bicycles (e-bike, trekking bike….)
  • Train rides included

Great if you like a combination of train & cycle. And don’t want to change hotels every night

Beautiful scenery

Our Cycling the Northern Package you’ll get to experience the best of the Black Forest: You are staying in 3 different towns which allows you mingle with locals in the evening. And during the day our bicycle route leads you on easy trails through some of the prettiest valleys the Northern Black Forest has to offer.

You’ll have the opportunity to walk through small towns, find the oldest timber-framed buildings in town, taste Black Foret cake in one fo the many cafes, climb up to some castle ruins, or enjoy a picnic next to a river. This bicycle tour is easy, scenic and off-the-beathen path. And we include train rides as well taking you back to your hotel in no time!

If you have always wanted to visit a thermal bath, this is the trip to do it on! And if you are a foodie, Germany’s secret gourmet capital Baiersbronn (featuring 7 Michelin stars) is only a cab ride away from your hotel.

You will receive detailed route notes and maps from us upon check-in at your first hotel. GPS data is also available if you are bicycling with a GPS device.

We are working with a local company which has years of experience running bicyle tours. In case there is a problem our support is only a phone call away. If your bicycle needs repair we equip you with a repair kit – or you can stop at the nearby repair shop for help.

Is it for me?

  • Great for anyone who is active, fit and can ride a bicycle. If you are looking for a bit of activity during your vacation – this is the tour for you.
  • This bicycle tour is not too demanding – often you are riding on flat roads – and some of the distance is covered by train. 

 

 

Itinerary

Arrival Info

Arrive in the Black Forest by train (destination train station is Freudenstadt in the Northern Black Forest) 

Exploring Freudenstadt

After checking in at your hotel we recommend exploring Freudenstadt. This classic Black Forest town is home to Germany’s largest market square surrounded by historic buildings and dozens of little shops.

Accommodation

We work with several hotels – all are standard hotels. Upgrades are not available in Freudenstadt.

 

Description of your day

Today you area exploring the valley of the Murg river.  

After breakfast you leave Freudenstadt and ride towards the town of Baiersbronn – also called Germany’s secret gourmet capital because of its many Michelin-star restaurants.

The valley then becomes very narrowe and you will bicycle through the most beautiful section of your route today. You basically just roll into the town of Rastatt.

A visit is worthwhile to the Residence Palace – often refered to as Versailles of the Black Forest

Returning by train

  • The train takes you back to Freudenstadt. (train ride included)

Accommodation

  • Freudenstadt, same hotel as last night

 

Description of your day

Exciting: Today your are exploring the valley of the Kinzig valley – known for some of the prettiest towns in all of the Black Forest!

In the morning there is a bit of an altitude to climb. But no worries – there is no time pressure. And you get rewarded with a stop in the pretty half-timbered town of Alpirsbach. Once in Alpirsbach, you have completed the most strenuous part of the day. Famous for the beer of the same name, the former monastery town is the ideal place for your lunch break.

On today’s cycle path, the Northern Black Forest shows itself
from its most beautiful side. 

You have several options to end your tour today – whenever you feel like it, you just hop on the train (with your bicycle) and head back to Freudenstadt.

Returning by train

  • The train takes you back to Freudenstadt. (train ride included)

Accommodation

  • Freudenstadt, same hotel as last night

 

Description of your day

  • Today you cycle over the eastern range of hills of the Murg valley to your overnight stop Bad Wildbad. In this historic spa town, you can still feel a bit of the flair of the 19th century.
  • Why not visit one of the two thermal baths and let the healing effects of the water take effect on you?

Accommodation

  • You are spending the night in Bad Wildbad, standard hotel

 

Description of your day

Following the river Enz, your bicycle takes you all the way to Pforzheim. This city is the center of the German jewelry and watch industry.

Continue along the Nagold river to get to your next overnight stop, Hermann Hesse’s hometown Calw.

Optional: You can get a slightly different view of the town by joining a themed walking tour of the town‘s most famous son (depending on availability).

Accommodation

  • you are spending the night in Calw, standard hotel

 

Description of your day

In the morning you follow the Nagold river and cycle through the foothills of theBlack Forest to the town of Nagold.

Here you leave the Nagold valley and your cycle route takes you to the neighboring Neckar valley.

We highly recommend stopping in the town of Horb am Neckar which has a well-preserved old town.

Continue your bicycle tour to the train station, from which a train returns you to your hotel in Freudenstadt

Returning by train

  • The train takes you back to Freudenstadt. (train ride included)

Accommodation

  • Freudenstadt, standard hotel

 

  • After breakfast drop off your rental bicycle at the hotel
  • Then take the train to get to your next destination (train ride not included)

Good to Know

  • What's included
  • Accommodation in double room with private bathroom
  • Breakfast 
  • Train rides on day 1,2 and 5
  • Luggage transfer
  • Welcome bag with useful items for your tour (water bottle, etc)
  • What's excluded
  • Bicycle Helmet. You need to bring your own.
  • Bicycle rental
  • Travel to/from Freudenstadt
  • Lunches and dinners
  • Travel insurance. Make sure you have travel insurance covering you against illness, injury, loss or damage to property and cancellations.
  • Personal expenses such as drinks, tips, telephone calls, extra transfers (such as by taxi or when not included in public transport pass).
  • Season. This package  is available from mid-April to mid-October.
  • Cycling the Northern Black Forest is available as a 5 day/6 night package. You can easily add-on more days. 

 

  • This package is available starting 549 Euro per person (based on 2 people traveling together and sharing a double room) 
  • please contact us with your desired travel dates so we can provide you with an exact quote
  • bicycle rentals 79 Euro (regular touring bike) to 199 Euro (e-bike) per person

The hotels we include in this package are all small family-owned hotels. They are not  fancy hotels, but clean and very (bicycle-) friendly. Often you will meet the owners during your stay. 

  • Double Rooms. If you are booking a double room there is one double bed with 2 individual mattresses (not 2 twin beds). If you require separate beds we recommend booking 2 separate rooms. In rare cases twin beds are available, please inquire.
  • Single Rooms. If you are traveling by yourself we charge a single room supplement. You will either be provided with a single room. Or with a double room for single use – based on availability.
  • Upgrades.  Upgrades are not possible on our bicycle packages
  • Bathrooms. All rooms have private en-suite bathrooms.
  • Air-Conditioning. Summers can be very warm. Most hotels in Germany do not have air-conditioning. Sometimes hotels can provide a fan for your room. Usually the hotel owners will tell you to sleep with the window open during the night – this is very common in Germany.
  • Elevators. Please note that our hotels most often do not have elevators – you will have to walk a flight of stairs to get to your room. 
  • Breakfast included.
  • Lunch. Grab a sandwich in town before getting on your bicycle. Or have lunch in town. 
  • Dinner. Most hotels have a restaurant on site. Or there are  restaurants in walking distance to your hotel. We provide you with recommendations.
  • bicycle helmet
  • comfortable shoes to cycle
  • swim suits
  • warm and waterproof clothes
  • a day pack
  • insect repellent
  • sun glasses, sun hat, sun block
  • first-aid kit.
  • You will receive detailed route notes and maps from us upon check-in at your first hotel.
  • Our Route Description is also available as GPS.
  • Our Route Description also contains info to all repair shops on your route should your bicyle need repair.

 

  • Mobile Phone Coverage. Please note that the Black Forest is a mountainous area. Often there is no mobile phone coverage when touring the Black Forest. 
  • Wi-Fi in hotels. All of our hotels have wi-fi but sometimes it can be spotty in your room – depending on the location of your room.
  • If you require constant online access we do NOT recommend touring the Black Forest. Consider staying in a large town like Baden-Baden or Freiburg instead.

Choice of bicyles

  • Touring bike (27 / 30 gear)
  • E-bikes

30_gang_trapez_1

All our rentals include a rental bike insurance

Bike handover

  • Arrival: Your rental bike is waiting for you at the start hotel.
  • Departure: Leave your bike at the last hotel. If you have rented an e-bike, drop off the battery at the hotel reception.

Equipment of our rental bikes

  • Anti-puncture Schwalbe Marathon Plus tires
  • Hub dynamo
  • Luggage rack
  • Comfortable saddle
  • Waterproof pannier
  • Waterproof handlebar bag with map holder
  • Odometer
  • Bicycle lock
  • Pump
  • Repair kit

Where you will be touring

bike tour black forest

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