Black Forest Cycle Route

You will arrive in Hinterzarten during the day by train, bus, or your own vehicle. Hinterzarten has its own train station and can be reached from Freiburg by train in 30 minutes.

Originally a pure farming village, Hinterzarten is now heavily influenced by tourism. The town is characterized by numerous hotels, tourist leisure facilities, and a diverse gastronomy scene. It is also home to the Black Forest Ski Museum. In general, the town is associated with winter sports, and the ski jump hills on the outskirts of the town are a prominent feature of its landscape, visible from afar.

From Hinterzarten to Bonndorf. Distance: approx. 45 km | 380 m ascent | 410 m descent.

Full of anticipation, you hop on your bike this morning and pedal effortlessly out of beautiful Hinterzarten. A few rotations of the pedals later, you head straight towards the shores of Lake Titisee. Riding right past the promenade, you follow the course of the Gutach River with gentle ups and downs. Soon, your eyes catch the sight of the famous Hochfirst ski jump, standing out on the mountainside amid tall fir trees. Following the scenic Bähnle cycle path (Bähnle-Radweg) along the railway tracks, you pass through Lenzkirch and eventually reach your destination in Bonndorf through the tree-lined Philosophenweg (Philosopher's Path).

The Bonndorf Castle is a cultural highlight and houses the local history museum of the town. Bonndorf is also known for its rich tradition of clockmaking, and visitors have the opportunity to admire and purchase handmade watches in local shops.

From Bonndorf to Waldshut-Tiengen. Distance: approx. 55 km | 160 m ascent | 710 m descent.

Today, you can give your muscles a break because just a few kilometers beyond Bonndorf, the cycle path descends, allowing you to simply go with the flow. The cycling route takes you along the wild and romantic Wutach Gorge. However, you can only explore this gorge on foot. Taking a short detour on your bike and climbing a few meters to the beautiful viewpoint called Wutachflühen is definitely worth it. From there, you'll have a view down into the deeply carved riverbeds with their unique wildlife and plant species. Along the Sauschwänzle Railway and the Wutach River, the stage finally ends among the townhouses in the city center of Waldshut.

The charm of the elegant promenade in Waldshut, the winding medieval alleys with their restored houses and traditional wall paintings in Tiengen, the popular Rhine promenade, the meandering Wutach River, and the diverse nature of the Southern Black Forest right on the border region all make Waldshut-Tiengen truly unique.

From Waldshut-Tiengen to Rheinfelden. Distance: approx. 45 km | 140 m ascent | 160 m descent.

The High Rhine will be your constant companion for the next few hours. Just a stone's throw from Switzerland, you can decide whether you want to cross the wide river at Dogern and cycle along the Swiss side. Along the way, you'll encounter the town of Laufenburg, which is quite unique – it's divided between two countries and separated by the natural border of the Rhine. Cycling beneath the shade of thick, overhanging branches, you'll reach Bad Säckingen with its distinctive onion-domed basilica and Europe's longest covered wooden bridge. Finally, you'll arrive in Rheinfelden after passing through the nature reserve at the confluence of the Wehra River.

Bekannt ist Rheinfelden für seine Industrie, den Rhein und die Nähe zur Schweiz. Direkt am Rhein entlang führen zahlreiche Radwege. Auf der Schweizer Seite begann mit der Entdeckung der Salzlager 1844 eine neue Zeit. Zwei Salinen wurden gegründet: die mittlerweile stillgelegte Saline Rheinfelden und die Saline Riburg. Dank seiner Solebäder stieg das Rheinfelden in der Schweiz zu einem international bekannten Badekurort auf, der seine Glanzzeit unmittelbar vor dem Ersten Weltkrieg erlebte.

From Rheinfelden to Müllheim. Distance: approx. 65 km | 230 m ascent | 290 m descent.

On the Swiss side of the Rhine, after a few kilometers, you will pass by the impressive Roman city of Augusta Raurica, known for its numerous excavations and the impressive amphitheater. If you prefer to avoid urban traffic in the Basel area, you can also take a ship from Rheinfelden directly to the metropolis of Basel with its beautiful old town. The longest arch bridge for cyclists and pedestrians will lead you back to the German side of the Rhine.

Alternatively, today you can choose the route over the Dinkelberg from Rheinfelden, which is equally charming with Villa Rustica and the ruins of Rötteln Castle, not to mention the beer garden. This route involves a bit more elevation gain.

The old town of Müllheim is impressive with its well-preserved half-timbered houses and historic buildings, which house inviting cafes, restaurants, and shops. The surrounding area also offers numerous opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking and cycling, especially in the nearby vineyards of the Markgräflerland region.

From Müllheim to Hinterzarten. Distance: approx. 50 km | 330 m ascent | 160 m descent.

The route takes you through the hilly vineyards of the charming Markgräflerland region, passing through the town of Staufen before reaching Freiburg. The city of Freiburg is known as a cycling hub, and it's enjoyable to explore its winding streets in the lovely old town by bike. Finally, in Kirchzarten in the Dreisam Valley, the South Black Forest Cycle Path ends. You can cover the last steep kilometers comfortably by taking the Höllentalbahn (Höllental Railway) from Kirchzarten to Hinterzarten.

Originally a pure farming village, Hinterzarten is now heavily influenced by tourism. The town is characterized by numerous hotels, tourist leisure facilities, and a diverse gastronomy scene. It is also home to the Black Forest Ski Museum. In general, the town is associated with winter sports, and the ski jump hills on the outskirts of the town are a prominent feature of its landscape, visible from afar.