Black Forest Cycling Holiday

An easy cycling holiday of the southern Black Forest, discovering some of Germany’s most celebrated countryside. It’s an easy-paced journey that follows a former railway line for much of the way and also takes in a wonderfully, scenic section of the Upper Rhine. This enjoyable, circular cycling route starts and finishes in the handsome city of Freiburg.

Your circular journey will take you through fantastic forest scenery, into the Wutach Valley, to the banks of the Rhine and wine growing Markgräflerland. You’ll visit fascinating Roman remains, charming riverside villages, the lively old town of Basel, thermal spa towns and romantic castles – the southern Black Forest has it all.

Black Forest Cycling HolidayLaufenburg

You don’t need to be super-fit for this gentle cycling tour. In fact, most of the route is actually downhill, apart from a few minor hills in the forest itself. You’ll be riding on paved cycle paths mainly as well as some quiet country lanes so traffic will be minimal.

Black Forest Cycling Holiday

An easy cycling holiday of the southern Black Forest, discovering some of Germany’s most celebrated countryside. It’s an easy-paced journey that follows a former railway line for much of the way and also takes in a wonderfully, scenic section of the Upper Rhine. This enjoyable, circular cycling route starts and finishes in the handsome city of Freiburg.

Your circular journey will take you through fantastic forest scenery, into the Wutach Valley, to the banks of the Rhine and wine growing Markgräflerland. You’ll visit fascinating Roman remains, charming riverside villages, the lively old town of Basel, thermal spa towns and romantic castles – the southern Black Forest has it all.

Black Forest Cycling HolidayLaufenburg

You don’t need to be super-fit for this gentle cycling tour. In fact, most of the route is actually downhill, apart from a few minor hills in the forest itself. You’ll be riding on paved cycle paths mainly as well as some quiet country lanes so traffic will be minimal.

Itinerary

You don’t need to be super-fit for this gentle cycling tour. In fact, most of the route is actually downhill, apart from a few minor hills in the forest itself. You’ll be riding on paved cycle paths mainly as well as some quiet country lanes so traffic will be minimal.

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Day 1 : Arrive Freiburg

On arrival make your way to your first hotel in Freiburg, a substantial town that’s well known as being one of the sunniest and warmest in all Germany. It’s also known for the little ‘Bächle’ small water rills along streets and alleyways through its old town. The grand old Gothic cathedral should not be missed.

Day 2 : Freiburg – Bonndorf
28 miles/45 kms

Starting your cycle tour, you’ll be riding first to Kirchzarten. Next there’s a slightly hilly section of countryside, but don’t worry, you can opt for a short train ride to Titisee lake if you prefer (payable locally). Continuing by bike and you’ll find yourself firmly within the Black Forest countryside, cycling past neat farms and agricultural land as you approach Bonndorf, famous for its ornate Japanese gardens and beautiful castle.

Day 3 : Bonndorf – Waldshut-Tiengen
31 miles/50 kms

Leaving Bonndorf, you’ll find yourself on a plateau before entering the Wutach Valley. Cycling through it you’ll pass under the elaborately designed and delightfully named Sauschwaenzlebahn railway bridge before picking up the riverside path following the Rhine all the way to Waldshut-Tiengen on the Swiss border.

Day 4 : Waldshut-Tiengen – Rheinfelden – Basel
44 miles/70 kms

Cycle alongside the Rhine River, which marks the border with Switzerland to the south. Stop in historic Laufenburg for a wander round and be sure to cross the bridge to the Swiss half of this atmospheric village. Ride on through Bad Säckingen with its lovely wooden bridge to Rheinfelden. A visit to the Roman Fort Raurica is worth considering. If you wish to shorten the route you can take the train from Rheinfelden on to Basel (not included) where you will spend the night.

Day 5 : Basel – Badenweiler/Müllheim
32 miles/50 kms

Ride north out of Basel and follow the western edge of the Black Forest. This area is dotted with well-known spa towns tapping into the healing local thermal waters. You’ll also spot Istein Klotz, a distinctive hilltop fortification that once overlooked the Rhine before the course of the river changed. Spend the night in the neighbouring villages of Badenweiler & Müllheim, between the Rhine and the Black Forest.

Day 6 : Badenweiler/Müllheim – Freiburg
25 miles/40 kms

It’s your last day of cycling, and your route takes you back to Freiburg through the wine-growing Markgräflerland region. You’ll have the chance to stop at some of its pretty wine-producing villages on the way and maybe pick up a bottle to take home with you. Spend the evening in Freiburg old town – its many excellent restaurants and pavement cafes will help make sure your last night is memorable.

Day 7 : Freiburg - end of trip

After breakfast it’s time to check out and head for home or your next adventure.

Bikes

On this tour you can choose between a regular bike, a regular Plus bike or an electric bike.

Regular bikes are modern alloy framed models with 27 speeds. Male specific frames with a crossbar are available from a height of 175cm

The regular Plus bikes offer a more sporty riding position and a step up in terms of components (hydraulic diskbrakes, 30 speed Shimano XT gears). They also come with a suspension seat post. Male specific frames with a crossbar are available from a height of 175cm

Electric bikes (minimum age 16 years) and bikes for teenagers are available. Child seats for adult rental bikes are also available at no extra charge

All bikes come equipped with waterproof pannier, lock and pump. Per booking a repair kit is also included.

Helmets are not provided and we therefore recommend bringing your own.

Accommodation

Below you will find examples of the accommodations typically used on this tour. Please note that the hotels we book for you may differ slightly from those described but they will certainly be of a similar standard.

Comfort: Comfortable 3 star hotels and guesthouses.

Freiburg: Viavelo Hotel (Was Hotel Zur Bischofslinde)

Bonndorf: Gasthaus zum Kranz

Waldshut-Tiengen: Hotel Brauerei Walter

Basel: Hotel Rochat

Badenweiler: Hotel Neuenfels

Freiburg: Viavelo Hotel (Was Hotel Zur Bischofslinde)

Local taxes

Some hotels have started to charge a local/tourist tax. These taxes are not included in the sale price of the tour and must be paid directly by you at check-in or checkout at the hotels. This fee varies and is ever changing but as a guide, you may be asked to pay between €1-€4 per person per night.

Getting there

Fly to Basel Airport then catch a train to Freiburg (journey time – 45 minutes).

Research flights from the UK here.

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