The Black Forest is Germany's largest and highest low mountain range. The elite of German racing live and train here on a total of 24,000 kilometres of designated trails. There are two large bike parks, three small fun parks, major marathons and even world championships take place here. In a survey of mountain bikers, the Black Forest was even voted the most popular single trail paradise after Lake Garda - although this is not even possible, because: The two-metre rule applies in Baden-Württemberg. This means that cyclists are only allowed to ride on trails that are wider than two metres.
Find your way into the trail network
If you're new to the Black Forest, it's hard to get going at first. Typical conversation in an internet forum: Biker A calls into the worldwide web to ask if anyone has any trail tips for Bad Säckingen. The official mountain bike maps of the region had only sent him along boring forest motorways. Hours later, Biker B takes pity with a virtual hand: "Send me your e-mail address, I can't reveal my tracks publicly here in the forum." 24,000 kilometres of hiking trails criss-cross the entire Black Forest. A third of these are signposted for mountain bikers - which in this region, however, means 8,000 kilometres of forest roads. And that in what is often declared Germany's top single trail paradise. The reason for this is still the "two-metre rule". Hardly anyone dares to reveal their favourite trails. The fear that hundreds of people will then chase across the trail and provoke another official prohibition sign is too great. Nevertheless, there are a few tricks and aids that even Black Forest beginners can use to find their way into the trail network. On the one hand, there are really useful maps, and on the other hand, there are joint tours with locals who already know where the often hidden trail entrances are located. Tour organisers offer a wide range of tours and there is hardly a region where there is no guide. From multi-day trail tours and freeride excursions to riding technique courses, everything is possible.
1. nature park maps - the official ones for bikers
There are ten official Black Forest maps for mountain bikers in bookshops (scale 1:50000 and 1:30000). They also include tour suggestions - but only on forest roads. Some of the trails are not marked. Price per map: 6.80 euros, Bielefelder Verlag.
2. black forest club - the trail finders
The Black Forest Association sells the most up-to-date maps with signpost numbers marked on them. You just have to get used to the visualisation. Forest paths are marked here as a thin line and flowing trails can be recognised by the dashed line. www.schwarzwaldverein.de
So if you stick to law and order and get the official Black Forest tour maps from the tourist office, you will be in the dark forever on the trail. But of course there are ways and means of penetrating the finer network of trails. BIKE has not only tracked down the few authorised trails, but also unearthed less authorised trail sources. Whether you want to leave the path of virtue with these aids is up to you. But experience shows: If you behave considerately towards nature and hikers, you won't have any problems and will probably rank the trail paradise of the Black Forest just behind Lake Garda.
The MTB classics in the Black Forest
This is what sets the Black Forest apart from other German low mountain ranges: there are countless kilometres of trails that run at altitude.
1. the Kandel-Höhenweg (112 km - approx. 2000 metres altitude)
From Oberkirch in the Renchtal valley via the Mooskopf into the Kinzig valley to Gengenbach. Continue through the Elz valley, up to the panoramic Kandel summit (1241 m) and via St. Peter to Freiburg. This hiking trail was created in 1935 and is an absolute classic. The centrepiece is a 40-kilometre section of the trail, which always runs at altitude with plenty of views. If you are considerate and friendly, you should have no problem with the hikers. The route is signposted.
2nd Bike-Crossing Black Forest or Westweg (450 km - 16000 m altitude)
Travelling the length of the Black Forest: What the famous Westweg has been for hikers for many years is now set to become the route from Pforzheim to Bad Säckingen for bikers. The difference is that the bike crossing route does not include any challenging trails. The route can be found thanks to signposting and a tour booklet (available for 16.80 euros from the tourist office). Also bookable: Luggage transport and accommodation. Info: www.bike-crossing-schwarzwald.info
3. Rosskopf and Schauinsland
Two permitted and tolerated trail classics around Freiburg: The 737 metre high Rosskopf rises directly above Freiburg. Here, dedicated locals were able to convince the authorities to make an exception to the two-metre rule. The result was the four-kilometre-long Borderline Trail. It starts below the lookout tower and leads down to the youth hostel, first steeply, then flowing with a counter-climb. The other classic trail: from Freiburg over the Kybfelsen to Schauinsland. The mountain with a cable car and countless downhill trail variants.
The 10 best MTB spots in the Black Forest
It is seven metres short of the Champions League of European "high mountains". But with its 1493 metres, the Black Forest still leads the national league of German low mountain ranges. It is also hard to beat in terms of scenic diversity: Lots of forest in the north, panoramic meadow valleys in the centre and almost 60 thousand metre peaks in the south of the Black Forest. The centre and capital of the biking scene is Freiburg im Breisgau. From here it is not far to the really big peaks such as Feldberg, Belchen and Schauinsland. From the Rhine valley plain, you can crank up 1000 metres of altitude in one go and then let it rattle through your speedometer again on wonderful forest trails. However, this region is also home to the most hikers. At many trail entrances, you don't even have to think about whether the two-metre rule applies here, as there are already clear signs prohibiting bikes, which are also regularly checked at weekends. But there are plenty of other tour options in the Black Forest and places where bikers are very welcome. To ensure that this remains the case, bikers should behave particularly sensitively towards hikers. Friendly greetings, dismounting and giving way to others are always part of the game.
1st Freiburg
Capital of the Black Forest and home to many racing professionals
Surrounded by the highest peaks, the heart of the Black Forest touring network beats here. Top: the Borderline Trail on the Roßkopf. Info: www.mountainbike-freiburg.com
2 Offenburg
Former World Cup venue in the vineyards above the Rhine plain
600 km of signposted tours and the starting point of the Worldclass Mountain Bike Marathon Challenge in May. In March, ex-pro Jörg Scheiderbauer opened the "Racextract" shop.
3 Kirchzarten
Starting point of the Black Forest Ultra Bike Marathon and former World Championship location
The landscape in the Dreisamtal valley attracts 5000 participants to the marathon every year. Info: www.ultra-bike.com A bike arena on the Giersberg is the subject of heated debate.
4. furtwangen
University for watchmakers and marathon through the two valleys
400 kilometres of tours are signposted, but are also available as GPS tracks. Information also on the Black Forest Bike Marathon: www.dasferienland.de
5 Bad Säckingen
Home town of world champion and Olympic gold medallist Sabine Spitz
The Bundesliga opening race took place here at Easter. Trails can be found mainly in the Hotzenwald (Eggberg Trail!).
6th Hornisgrinde
Mountain Bike Arena Hornisgrinde-Ortenau Black Forest Centre/North
Lots of forest and forest roads. The trails are well networked but difficult to find. Trail tip: from the Schwend down towards Oberkirch.
7th Staufen
After Freiburg, probably the most interesting tour starting point
The guides of the largest Black Forest tour operator know the most beautiful trails on the Belchen and the Blauen: www.beitune.de
8 Todtmoos
Valleys and gorges around the Hochkopf (1263 m)
In addition to the 1000 kilometres of signposted tours in this region, the locals whisper of "mega trails ..."
9 Todtnau
Germany's oldest bike park with chairlift on the Hasenhorn
A 2.7-kilometre downhill course and a three-kilometre freeride descent. Marcus Klausmann gives technique courses. www.bikepark-todtnau.de
10th Bad Wildbad
One of the largest bike parks in Germany with eight descents
Venue of the German Downhill Championships in July 2013, where professional riders give courses. www.bikepark-bad-wildbad.de
One 5-day crossing of the Black Forest by mountain bike from Baden-Baden to Freiburg can be found here. A crossing of the Black Forest from north to south is unrivalled in terms of drama. You push off in Baden-Baden and start by rolling in. The northern Black Forest is virtually unspoilt and the climbs are still moderate. However, the first trail sections help you to warm up. On the second day, you reach heights with viewpoints and the trails become more numerous. The route slowly swings over into the Central Black Forest with its lovely, wide valleys. But even here, fun trails provide a slight adrenaline rush. With the long ascent to the Kandel, you finally climb towards the high point. With magnificent views of the Rhine plain and the Alps, you then roll along the legendary Kandelhöhenweg towards the southern Black Forest. The highest peaks in the Black Forest await you here: the Feldberg at 1492 metres and the Schauinsland. From the latter, the final 900-metre altitude trail descent leads down to Freiburg. The individual stages are between 50 and 60 kilometres long. But now the dramatic final act: the trails are officially forbidden. Keyword "two-metre rule". So our tip: ride the tour with an organiser. The guides know how to avoid trouble.
Information on the 5-day Black Forest crossing
Services Five-day stage tour from Baden-Baden to Freiburg with guide and luggage transport. Overnight stays in 3-star accommodation with half board. Return transport to Baden-Baden by bus
Price 699 Euro, bike hire extra
Info and registration Beitune, www.beitune.de
You can also find the complete travel journal for mountain biking in the Black Forest as a PDF download below.
Downloads:
Gitta Beimfohr
Editor
