Upper Black Forest Tour by Electric Mountain Bike

Difficulty: 2/5

Easy to moderate. Daily stages of 40 to 60km over fairly easy terrain (good, wide forest tracks with few surprises). 500 to 1000m of cumulative elevation gain per day.
It is best to have some experience of cycling for several days in a row. With electric assistance, the effort can be considered divided by 3 or 4 (depending on the level of assistance used), giving you a welcome boost so you can enjoy the ride without needing to be exceptionally fit!

You only carry a small bag with your picnic lunch and everything you need for the day. Your luggage will be waiting for you at the hotel in the evening: it is transported by the hotelier or by taxi. Maximum weight: 20 kg.

Bookings are possible for groups of 2 people or more.

7 days, 6 nights, 5 days of cycling

This is a self-guided trip. There is no guide accompanying you. You will receive a comprehensive travel pack (1 per room), including a route guide with maps, an accommodation list and vouchers, among other items. Depending on the arrangements, you will receive your pack before departure or collect it at your first accommodation. Your travel documents (vouchers, tickets, etc.) will be waiting for you at your hotel.

Hotels, Gasthof inns and private homes. Excellent comfort (equivalent to 2 and 3*), with warm hospitality.
Rooms for 2, with a shower and toilet.

For rooms for 2, the distinction between a double (one large bed for 2) and a twin (2 separate beds) is rarely as clear-cut as you may be used to: 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 in operation for several generations; it often has more traditional local character. A hotel is generally a more impersonal, newer establishment… although that does not stop Gasthof inns from undergoing impressive makeovers on a regular basis! This distinction mainly applies in large cities, however (you will find chain hotels, but never chain Gasthof inns).

Breakfasts are included. Lunches are at your own expense.
The day before, you can ask your hotel hosts whether they can prepare a picnic for the following day or whether you may use items from the breakfast buffet to make your sandwiches.
Dinner at the inn on Day 3 is included. On the other evenings of the week, dinners are at your own expense. You can dine in the hotel restaurants (à la carte) or at nearby restaurants.
The food in the Black Forest is good, and the beer is excellent (and don’t get us started on the cakes!).

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

Choose your departure date from 1 May to 30 September.

You can add an extra night before or after your stay.

Bike hire

Electric mountain bike, Kalkhoff Endeavour 7+ model. The bikes are delivered to your first hotel.
The model may vary depending on availability. Bikes come with a lock and a phone holder. Return the bikes after your final bike ride on Day 6.

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg:
Bus to central Basel, then train to Hinterzarten via Freiburg am Breisgau (1 hour 30 minutes).

Hinterzarten railway station
Train from Paris Est – Karlsruhe – Freiburg – Hinterzarten (approximately 4–5 hours' journey time) or Paris Lyon – Basel – Freiburg – Hinterzarten:
Check German railway timetables and fares online (English and French versions are available: www.dbfrance.fr)
Check Swiss railway timetables and fares on CFF.

Sample outbound train times:
Depart Paris Est 13:51 > Arrive Karlsruhe 16:25 / Depart Karlsruhe 17:02 > Arrive Freiburg 18:00 / Depart Freiburg 18:17 > Arrive Hinterzarten 18:50.

Sample return train times:
Depart Hinterzarten 17:11 > Arrive Freiburg 17:44 / Depart Freiburg 17:54 > Arrive Karlsruhe 18:58: Depart Karlsruhe 19:32 > Arrive Paris Est 22:13.

Use Hinterzarten railway station (around 30 km from Freiburg am Breisgau) for your outbound journey, and Basel or Weil am Rhein for your return journey.

Hinterzarten is around 30 km from Freiburg am Breisgau and around 100 km from Basel. The journey back from Basel (or Weil am Rhein) to Hinterzarten by train + bus takes 1 hour 50 minutes (or 2 hours), via Freiburg.
Check your route on ViaMichelin.

You can leave your vehicle in Hinterzarten for the week (station car park; approximately 10 € per week, to be checked locally).

A number of our trips offer opportunities to swim, during a stage or at the end of the day. It would be a shame to miss out! Please bear in mind, however, that your trip leaders are not lifeguards; you therefore swim under your own responsibility and at your own risk.

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.

As members of the board of directors since 2018, we actively help guide the travel sector towards more meaningful practices. In practical terms, we are committed to:

• 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 rewarding encounters.

Travelife Partner

Since 2025, Grand Angle has been recognised as a Travelife Partner, an international label that certifies 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 practical efforts to promote responsible tourism. We are actively working towards the next level, Travelife Certified, in line with our sustainability policy

For cycling

• Cycling shorts or tights, depending on the season
• Cycling gloves
• A helmet
• Sunglasses (for protection against sunlight, wind and small insects)
• A windproof jacket
• T-shirts or cycling jerseys
• A handlebar map holder and/or a handlebar smartphone mount (and a power bank)
• A water bottle
• A smartphone mount to attach to your bike’s handlebars

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 against sun and rain

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

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

• If your bike does not have a pannier, bring a comfortable small 40-litre backpack with a hip 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.

Germany
Capital: Berlin

Travellers, including minors, must carry a national identity card or passport (EU nationals).

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.

German National Tourist Office
21 rue Leblanc, 75015 Paris
Tel. 0140201706, fax 0140201700
www.germany.travel/fr

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

There is no time difference with France. GMT +1.

Germany’s climate is generally said to be the same as France’s. It has a temperate climate typical of Central Europe. However, the distances from east to west and north to south, together with the varied terrain, lead to significant regional differences in climate.

South-western Germany, being further from the sea, has a temperate continental climate. It is mild here throughout the year, but the mountain areas receive plenty of snow. Germany’s highest average annual temperatures are recorded in this region.

The official language is German.

Each region has its own dialect with distinctive features. In total, there are around 20 different dialects. Even some cities have their own dialect, such as Berlin or Cologne. But don’t worry: you will be able to make yourself understood by everyone.

To help you find your way during your trip and talk to the Germans you meet, we have put together a few useful phrases for your travels in Germany:

Hello Guten Tag

Hi Hallo

Thank you Danke

Please Bitte

Yes Ja

No Nein

How are you? (formal / informal) Wie geht es Ihnen / dir? I’m well Mir geht es gut.

Germany uses the euro.