Bike tour through the Northern Black Forest

Your bike tour through the northern Black Forest begins in a relaxed manner. Your arrival point is the traditional spa town of Bad Wildbad. During a walk in the wildly romantic spa park with its historic buildings, you will feel the royal splendour of times gone by. A visit to one of the two well-known thermal baths in Bad Wildbad is certainly a must. Whether the Palais Thermal, steeped in history, or the Vital Therme – here you can relax before tackling the altitude metres in the northern Black Forest.

You start your day with a ride in the Sommerbergbahn (cable car). Once you arrive on the high plateau of the Sommerberg, it's a good idea to leave your bike for a short while. The treetop path and the Wildline suspension bridge arching upwards offer you truly spectacular views of the surrounding hills and valleys of the Northern Black Forest. Then cycle along the Black Forest Panorama Cycle Path – past the mystical high moorland landscape at Kaltenbronn – to Freudenstadt. Explore the town with Germany's largest market square on a walk. Along the arcades framing the square, numerous cafés and restaurants tempt you with regional delicacies.

The day begins with a few metres of altitude in a magical forest landscape. The second stage of the bike tour through the northern Black Forest takes you into the valley of the Kinzig – home of the famous Bollenhut. A stop in the half-timbered town of Alpirsbach is worthwhile. Visit the impressive monastery complex and treat yourself to a mug of the famous beer of the same name. Back on your bike, you practically roll along the well-maintained Kinzigtal-Radweg (cycle path) to Wolfach or Hausach. Visit the Dorotheenhütte in Wolfach. In the last active mouthblowing hut in the Black Forest, you can not only watch this traditional craft, but also try it out for yourself.

The bike tour through the northern Black Forest leads you further through the idyllic valley landscape of the Kinzig. You will reach Haslach, the town whose settlement history dates back to Roman times and thus bears witness to the importance of the Kinzig valley as a historical trade route. You now cycle energetically through the towns of Steinach, Biberach and Gengenbach, which are well worth seeing. At Ohlsbach, the Kinzig valley opens up and merges into the Rhine plain. Passing the picturesque vineyards of Ortenau, you reach Offenburg. In the evening, indulge in the specialities of Baden cuisine and a glass or two of the excellent local wines.

From Offenburg you cycle north along the edge of the Rhine plain through wide fields and orchard meadows. The route continues over the rolling hills of the foothill zone of the Naturpark Schwarzwald Mitte / Nord to Baden-Baden. Once known as the Summer Capital of Europe, the elegant spa town still has an international flair today. Be sure to visit the Museum Frieder Burda. It houses one of the most important private collections of modern and contemporary art in Europe. You get back on your bike and cover the last kilometres of the day. You will spend the night in the former royal seat of Rastatt with its impressive baroque buildings.

Compared to the last few days, today's route has almost an urban character. From Rastatt you cycle to Karlsruhe. Explore the city with its unique fan-shaped layout. At the centre of the fan is Karlsruhe Castle and the extensive castle park. Those interested in culture can visit the Badisches Landesmuseum, which is housed in the building. Along the Alb you leave Karlsruhe and soon reach Ettlingen – your stage destination today. Take an evening stroll through the historic centre of the picturesque small town with its time-honoured half-timbered houses and town houses.

The last stage of your bike tour through the Northern Black Forest takes you from Ettlingen deep into the Black Forest again. At the Schwanner Warte near Straubenhardt, an impressive panoramic view of the mountain ranges opens up to you. In Neuenbürg you meet the Enz and follow it against the direction of flow. Through tranquil forests and accompanied by the murmur of the river, you cycle in the footsteps of the Enztal rafters. In the Calmbach rafting museum, you can learn more about the region's historical working world, which was shaped by the forestry and timber industry. In Bad Wildbad you can reward yourself for the kilometres you have covered with a soothing bath in the healing thermal waters of the town.

After breakfast, your bike tour through the Northern Black Forest already ends. We are happy to extend your stay in the Black Forest with an extra night in Bad Wildbad.