Black Forest Tour

Level 2/5

Easy to moderate. No technical difficulties; the terrain is gentle, sometimes undulating but with no major climbs, and mostly downhill overall; the route mainly follows cycle paths and greenways along the Rhine, with occasional shared roads.
Approximately 70% on cycle paths and 30% on shared roads. The cycle paths are particularly well laid out and signposted.

The Southern Black Forest cycle path network is certified by the ADFC (German Cyclists' Association).
Level 1 if you are riding an electric bike.

One point to bear in mind: as its name suggests, this route takes you around the Black Forest. You will enjoy a wonderful immersion in the region, but the route does not pass through its most authentic area, the High Black Forest. See our DEULV0044 High Black Forest Electric Mountain Bike Tour if you would like to discover more of the Black Forest’s wild charm.

You only carry a small bag with your picnic and everything you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel in the evening: it is transferred by the hotelier or by taxi. Maximum weight: 20 kg. We recommend keeping a change of clothes in your panniers, as rare, unforeseen circumstances, such as traffic jams, can sometimes delay the delivery of your luggage.

In 3* hotels or equivalent, in a room for two with a bathroom. Single rooms can be booked for a supplement.
Our German and Austrian neighbours generally do not have double beds with a single large mattress, and rooms with 2 twin beds are also rare. Usually, there is a single bed base with two 90 cm mattresses; each person has their own duvet. Rooms for 3: these usually have an extra bed added, although the rooms are generally spacious.
Breakfast is included. Lunches and dinners are at your own expense. Most hotels also serve meals; otherwise, there is a restaurant nearby. At each overnight stop, you can stock up on provisions, or stop at an inn along the way; German soups are hearty yet delicious and inexpensive: ideal for a lunch break!… at any time of day…
For rooms for 2, there is rarely the same distinction you may be used to between a double room (one large bed for 2) and a twin room (2 separate beds): most often, the beds consist of two 90 cm mattresses placed side by side, each with its own sheets and duvet.
Hotel or Gasthof? Germans and Austrians themselves often struggle to explain the difference… A Gasthof is generally family-run and has been around for several generations; it will often have more traditional character. A hotel is generally a more impersonal and newer establishment… which does not stop Gasthofs from regularly undergoing impressive makeovers! But this distinction mainly applies in large cities (where you will find chain hotels, but never chain Gasthofs).

On Day 1 in the afternoon at the hotel in Hinterzarten.
On Day 7 in the afternoon at the hotel in Hinterzarten.

Bike hire

Hybrid bikes supplied with a helmet, rear panniers, a handlebar bag, lights, a bell and a repair kit with an inner tube; helmet included.
You collect and return your bike in Hinterzarten.

Electric bike: the same equipment (plus a spare battery), with the same return options.

By plane

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg:
Bus to central Basel, then train to Hinterzarten via Freiburg am Breisgau.

By train

Hinterzarten station (around thirty km from Freiburg am Breisgau) on the outward journey, and Basel or Weil am Rhein on the return journey.
Trains from Paris:

• Paris - Hinterzarten (journey time: 4 hours to 5 hours 30 minutes)

Example: Depart 07:20 from Gare de l’Est; arrive 11:43 at Hinterzarten station (changes at Karlsruhe and Freiburg im Breisgau)

Check German rail timetables and fares on Deutsche Bahn.
Check Swiss rail timetables and fares on CFF.

By car

Hinterzarten is around twenty km from Freiburg am Breisgau and around a hundred km from Basel.
Plan your route on ViaMichelin.

Parking your car

See parking information from the municipality of Kirchzarten

You can start any day from 04 April to 09 October.

Member of Agir pour un Tourisme Responsable (ATR)

Since 2012, Grand Angle has been a member of ATR, the leading association for more responsible tourism. We design our trips – on foot, by bike and on snow – to invite everyone to discover the world differently: with curiosity, respect and kindness.

With a seat on the board of directors since 2018, we actively help the tourism sector adopt more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we focus on:

• Transparency in our practices and prices
• Respect for our partners and local communities
• Protecting the environment on every trip

We also share the values of the Traveller’s Ethical Charter, which encourages everyone to take simple steps to protect the places they visit and foster positive encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has held Travelife Partner status, an international label that recognises our responsible environmental, ethical and sustainable management practices, both within our company and in our work with partners and the organisation of our trips.

This label, the second level of a rigorous international certification programme, recognises our concrete actions to support responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainable development policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (for protection from the sun, wind and midges)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder or smartphone mount (and a power bank)
• A water bottle

Please note: synthetic technical clothing performs very well. New merino wool clothing is also available; it performs very well, is comfortable to wear and has the advantage of resisting sweat odours (brands include Icebreaker, Ruka, etc.)! As a general rule, avoid cotton, which makes you cold when wet.

For protection from the sun and rain

• Sunscreen and sunglasses
• A hat, cap or bucket hat (helmet)
• A windproof jacket
• A rain poncho or a Gore-Tex jacket

• A jumper or fleece
• Comfortable walking trousers
• Shorts
• A tracksuit or a change of clothes
• A lightweight, long-sleeved cotton shirt
• A pair of running-style trainers for the evenings
• Spare clothes and underwear
• A toiletry bag
• Swimwear
• A small first aid kit: personal medication, Elastoplast, Biogaze or “2nd skin” dressings, gauze, disinfectant, arnica granules and aspirin for minor aches and injuries …

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40-litre backpack with a waist belt to carry your personal belongings and picnic during the day. If you have a luggage rack, you can secure your bag to it with bungee cords. Rental bikes come with a pannier for your belongings. Bring a small backpack as well; this makes it easy to carry your belongings when you stop to visit somewhere along the way.
• One bag for luggage transfers: a backpack, suitcase or travel bag in good condition, weighing no more than 20 kg

A valid identity card

Bring your European Health Insurance Card, which you should request from your health insurance provider at least 15 days before departure. Health conditions are similar to those in France.

The euro is used in Germany.

German National Tourist Office in Paris
9 Bd de la Madeleine, 75001 Paris
Tel. 0140200188

Freiburg Tourist Office
Tel. 00497613689090

German Railways
Tel. 0144589550

Dialling code for calling France from abroad: 0033
Dialling code for calling Germany: 0049

Continental / Cool evenings (even in summer)
Black Forest: Damp

German

No time difference from France. GMT +1.