The Black Forest is a large forested mountain range in south-west Germany, in the state of Baden Wurttemberg, bounded by the Rhine valley to the west and south and close to the borders with France and Switzerland. It is the source of the Danube and Neckar rivers.
Its highest peak is the Feldberg with an elevation of 1,493 metres (4,898 ft) above sea level. Roughly oblong in shape, with a length of 160 kilometres (100 miles) and breadth of up to 50 km (30 mi), it has an area of about 6,009 km2 (2,320 sq mi).
Historically, the area was known for forestry and the mining of ore deposits, but tourism has now become the primary industry, accounting for around 300,000 jobs. There are several ruined military fortifications dating back to the 17th century.
Hinterzarten is located at an aerial distance of 10 km from Feldberg which, reaching 1493 meters, is the highest peak of the Black Forest. Lake Titisee, the artificial lake Schluchtsee and other classic attractions are not far away. The air distance, the closest route, plays a role in the Black Forest only if you are a crow or some other bird. From the cyclist’s point of view, the Black Forest, Germany’s largest medium-height mountain range (below 2,000 meters), is the opposite of the Netherlands: winding roads that run through mountainous landscapes, with altitude differences adding up at the end of the day.
- Route: Southern Black Forest
- Length: 290kms
- Duration: 5 Days
- Geographical Area: Start (Hinterzarten) -> Himmelreich -> Mullheim -> Beuggen -> Waldshut -> Bonndorf
