From north to south in eight days – the Black Forest Cross

Mountain Biking Collection by komoot

Tours

50:45 h

321 mi

45,025 ft

Endless forests, lush meadow valleys and peaks that rise out of the greenery. Refreshing springs, cosy cabins and magnificent views: The Black Forest is Germany's highest low mountain range and one of the most beautiful and varied landscapes in the country. It's a place of diversity, intrigue and a whole lot of cake (Black Forest gateau, anyone?)—and that's not to mention the beer. To enjoy it all, there's no better means of transportation than the humble bicycle; just be prepared to conquer 440 kilometers (273 miles) over 8 days on a ride that'll take you over 16,000 meters (52,000 feet) of elevation. We never said it was going to be easy.

The official route of the Schwarzwald (Black Forest) Cross starts in Pforzheim and takes you south to the Swiss border in Bad Säckingen. To help you make the most of the ride, we've planned eight individual stages that—while are sure to test your fitness—are feasible for the average rider. If it gets too much, we've also included two calmer alternatives. To get you to the starting point and home again once you're done, both ends of the adventure are well-connected to the train network. We also planned the route with accommodation in mind, so you can ride into each day's final destination safe in the knowledge that there are ample places to get a good night's sleep.

All you need is your bike, a little planning and some time. The track is beautiful and will never present you with any technical challenges. On this ride, the focus is on enjoyment and the challenge of mastering an entire region from north to south using nothing but your own leg power.

On The Map

Do it yourself

Ready to get going? Create and customize your own version of this adventure using the full Tour below as a template.

In acht Tagen von Nord nach Süd – der Schwarzwald Cross

277 mi

38,650 ft

38,600 ft

Last updated: December 20, 2021

Tours & Highlights

Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E01 Von Pforzheim auf die Trails – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
07:21
45.1 mi
6.1 mph
6,125 ft
5,100 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Let's go: The Black Forest Cross starts in Pforzheim at the station. Lots of singletrails are waiting for you on this long tour, which leads directly into the middle of the beautiful Black Forest without much ado. You ride on fun trails, through beautiful river meadows, dense forests and unique bog areas…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E02 Natur Pur von Enzklösterle nach Baiersbronn – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
04:27
28.3 mi
6.4 mph
3,175 ft
3,300 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
From Enzklösterle this tour starts through the Black Forest National Park, which today shows its particularly beautiful side. Freshly tapped spring water, idyllic lakes and of course not to forget a lot of singletrack - the Black Forest Cross is picking up speed.

Today's route profile is quite memorable…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Sign Up To Discover Places Like This
Get recommendations on the best single tracks, peaks, & plenty of other exciting outdoor places.
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E03 Auf flowigen Trails nach Wolfach – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
05:49
37.3 mi
6.4 mph
4,675 ft
5,625 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
From one bike mecca to the next. This is easily possible in the Black Forest. This tour starts on the flowigen Baiersbronner singletrack and ends on the trail network of Wolfach. Wolfach has a very special specialty for bikers in store: Wolfach is well-known for its fourcross track, which has already…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E04 Durch den Naturpark Schwarzwald nach Hornberg – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
04:14
25.7 mi
6.1 mph
4,150 ft
3,825 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
If there is nothing around you except wonderful nature and beautiful trails, then you know that you are just right. In this case, you are in the middle of the Black Forest Nature Park and enjoy the tranquility far away from the hectic cities. If anything, your journey on this tour crosses small villages…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E04 (light) Durch den Naturpark Schwarzwald nach Hornberg – Schwarzwald Cross
Intermediate
02:13
13.7 mi
6.2 mph
1,925 ft
1,550 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
The Black Forest Cross can be quite exhausting. If you want to take it a bit easier, we have debarked this defused version of the fourth stage here for you. It does not work out by itself, but is much more relaxed - "active regeneration", so to speak. For example, you can fill the time gained with a…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E05 Klettertour ins idyllische St. Peter – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
07:12
42.1 mi
5.9 mph
7,700 ft
6,600 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary. Some portions of the Tour may require you to push your bike.
Today is climbed. After all, you definitely want to take advantage of the fact that you are currently traveling in Germany's highest low mountain range. That's why the tour leads you twice over 1,000 meters, where every time a little refreshment awaits you.

After the first rise of the day, you will reach…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E06 Hoch hinaus auf den Feldberg – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
05:56
40.3 mi
6.8 mph
5,425 ft
4,375 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
This tour is in the true sense of the word the highlight of the Black Forest Cross. Today you will learn what it means to cross the highest German Mittelgebirge. Because today it goes up to the highest mountain in the Black Forest, the Feldberg.

You leave Kirchzarten to the right and maybe you are thinking…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E07 Auf Kulttrails nach Todtmoos – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
06:02
35.5 mi
5.9 mph
5,850 ft
6,475 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
If you are interested in downhills, the day's highlight of this tour through the Black Forest is clear: Todtnau is one of the cult sites of the German mountain bike sport. Countless European Cups and German Championships have been held here, and the Hasenhorn route is one of the most demanding in the…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E07 (light) Auf Kulttrails nach Todtmoos – Schwarzwald Cross
Intermediate
02:34
18.1 mi
7.0 mph
2,500 ft
3,125 ft
Intermediate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
The stage seven of the Black Forest Cross has it all in itself. Here we have a more relaxed option for you, if you want to take it easy. Granted, the original route is definitely more traillastiger. But even a rural road or a beautiful farm road through the Black Forest have their charm and in this way…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors
E08 Dreiländereck-Tour nach Bad Säckingen – Schwarzwald Cross
Difficult
04:57
35.3 mi
7.1 mph
3,550 ft
5,350 ft
Expert mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Advanced riding skills necessary.
What is more suitable for a challenge like the Black Forest Cross as a destination than the birthplace of a mountain bike Olympic champion? Sabine Spitz took gold in Beijing in 2008, and since then a whole region has been celebrating her victory. You can celebrate another notable achievement today. Because…
translated by•View Original
by komoot
View