SCHWARZWALD
The official network of trails for mountain bikers in the Black Forest consists of forest and tarmac roads. Germany's largest low mountain range is famous for its exciting trails.
Mountain bike area: The Black Forest, in the south-west of Baden-Württemberg, is Germany's largest and highest low mountain range (Feldberg 1493 m). The southern Black Forest is more rugged than the north, with some sub-alpine vegetation at higher altitudes, e.g. Schauinsland, Feldberg or Belchen. Long, technically demanding descents are just as possible as ascents. A close-knit network of single trails and forest tracks makes the Black Forest a varied touring area with routes of all levels of difficulty. The best time to visit is between May and mid-October. In summer, it is pleasantly warm even at altitudes above 1000 metres. However, there can be thunderstorms in the afternoon. Changes in the weather are always possible: August is the only month since weather records began in which it has not yet snowed on the Feldberg summit!
PFÄLZERWALD
300 kilometres specially signposted for mountain bikers. Hikers know this and are therefore not frightened in the Palatinate Forest when bikers come along the path. Quite different in the Black Forest ...
Mountain bike area: The Palatinate Forest, with its continuation in the French Vosges, is the largest contiguous forest area in Central Europe. The huge forest areas in this sparsely populated region are not only the habitat of rare animal species, but also an increasingly popular hiking and mountain biking region. The Palatinate Forest Nature Park was created in 1958 as the third nature park in Germany. The Palatinate Forest Mountain Bike Park was launched in 2005. The routes in the low mountain range are characterised by the constant alternation between relatively short climbs and descents. The highest mountain is the Kalmit at 673 metres. Wide views of the landscape are rather rare, but bizarre red sandstone cliffs and a number of places to stop for refreshments in rustic huts provide variety in the sometimes tricky technical terrain.
You can find the complete comparison of the two bike regions Black Forest and Palatinate Forest with tour suggestions as a free PDF download below.
