You either board in Freudenstadt or, if you are staying in one of the holiday homes, e.g. in the luxury holiday home Dieboldsberg or the wellness holiday home Fronwald in Alpirsbach or in the privately owned chalet holiday home in Loßburg, from there.

A very well-signposted cycle path, mostly away from main roads and highways, leads you from Alpirsbach to Schenkenzell. Along the way, we unknowingly cross the border into the Baden part of the state. The Schenkenburg castle ruins, which the path passes directly by, would certainly welcome a visit. The Ristorante Schenkenburg, , has a romantic atmosphere and is highly recommended, were we not at the beginning of our tour.

Continuing along the Kinzig Valley cycle path, you'll reach the picturesque half-timbered town of Schiltach. A short visit to the old town with its town hall and fountain, as well as the "Schüttesäge" sawmill dating back to 1491, is highly recommended. The numerous shops and cafes invite you to stroll or take a short break. Crossing an old railway bridge and passing a display raft that recalls the era of log rafting, we continue along the Kinzig Valley.

Well-signposted, we leave behind a series of small, picturesque villages and notice that the valley gradually opens up, allowing the Kinzig River more room to breathe. Passing countless seemingly abandoned, isolated Black Forest farmhouses, we reach the well-known timber rafting and trading town of Wolfach. Once there, the path leads us through the approximately 500-meter-long pedestrian zone, lined on both sides with half-timbered houses. Those interested in the timber trade of yesteryear and the rafters who once lived there can find further information at the display raft and the tourist information center. After leaving the old town, we reach the glassworks in just a few minutes. Here, you can gain insight into this centuries-old craft. A museum, glassblowing demonstrations, and the "Glass Country" with its souvenirs can easily make you lose track of time.

Continuing along the Kinzig River, we reach Hausach, "the town below the castle." Even from afar, it's clear why this town truly deserves its name. Besides the "Erzpoche" open-air mining museum and the Black Forest Model Railway (a replica of the main Black Forest Railway, considered the most beautiful low mountain railway in Europe), the 12th-century Husen Castle is one of Hausach's main attractions. From Hausach, we now have the option of turning into the Gutach Valley.

Gutach– a place that perfectly reflects the region's traditions and cultural heritage. At the open-air museum of the "Vogtsbauernhöfe" (Vogt Farmsteads), you'll experience life as it was in bygone eras. Authentically recreated farmhouses, traditional work, and costumes from a long-forgotten time transport us back in time and bring us closer to a piece of local heritage. A must-see for every visitor. However, it's not recommended as part of a cycling tour on the Kinzig Valley Cycle Path, as you should set aside a full day for this museum.

Soon our gaze falls upon the two onion-domed towers of the parish church of Steinach, which rise high above the town.

The landmark of Steinach is undoubtedly the "Alte Adler" (Old Eagle), a beautifully renovated half-timbered house straight out of a storybook. Here, you can admire the half-timbered craftsmanship dating back to 1716. The local history museum, located right next door, provides additional information about the former distilling trade and some Swabian customs (please note the opening hours). Now the Kinzig Valley unfolds in all its splendor. In Biberach , we face the difficult decision of whether to turn right into the Harmersbach Valley, where the two medieval towns of Zell and Oberharmersbach await, or to continue along the regular route. Those wishing to conclude their tour here can do so in one of the many traditional taverns for which Oberharmersbach is known. Connections to the Ortenau S-Bahn (suburban train) are also available here.

Following the Kinzig Valley Cycle Path towards Offenburg, we can already see the church of Gengenbach . We get ever closer to it as we continue along the route. Gengenbach boasts a listed historic town center, a rare find in Germany. Romantic alleyways wind their way through the entire old town, past city gates, half-timbered buildings, and a town hall that transforms into the world's largest Advent calendar in December. Here, you immediately feel at home.

Our tip: Somewhat hidden in a courtyard right by the market fountain, in the heart of the old town, is the bronze Fools' Fountain. Several typical Baden restaurants have sprung up around it, where you'll have to decide which tarte flambée you like best. A glass of Baden wine might round off your visit here. Or you could head to the Reichenbach district and visit the Eichberg tavern, which is open for two two-month periods each year.

Those wishing to cycle the entire Kinzig Valley Cycle Path should follow the signposted route to Offenburg, passing countless orchards and vineyards through the small village of Ohlsbach, whose mineral spring flows pure brine water 365 days a year. Recharge your batteries here one last time for the final stretch.

One of the highlights of the Kinzig Valley awaits us at the end of our tour: Ortenberg Castle majestically overlooks the town of the same name. A remarkably well-preserved castle complex dating back to the 11th century, the castle, now a youth hostel, can be visited at any time. And if the weather is clear, the breathtaking view extends all the way to Strasbourg Cathedral in France. To reach it, however, you must climb the narrow stairs to the Schimmelturm (Mold Tower), which was formerly used as a dungeon.

The route continues to Offenburg, where the Kinzig Valley Cycle Path has reached its final destination…back to Alpirsbach, Loßburg or Freudenstadt.

The Ortenau light rail towards Freudenstadt runs hourly, taking you and your bicycle comfortably to Alpirsbach, Loßburg, or Freudenstadt – your starting point. Each of the locations described in the tour report has a train connection.

From Offenburg, the train takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes to Alpirsbach, 10 minutes longer to Loßburg, and in another 5 minutes you will be in Freudenstadt.

There are great cycling tours in both the southern and northern Black Forest :

• Three Worlds Black Forest Cycle Route with 6 stages over 300 kilometers
• Bike tour “Rhine Falls Loop” 45 km,
• Lake Constance tour of 55 km
• Black Forest-Springs Region Cycle Tour
• The Bähnle cycle path runs from Gutach along the historic Neustadt railway line to Bonndorf. Views of the Wutach Gorge in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park.
• The Städteviereck route leads through Bräunlingen, Donaueschingen, Hüfingen and Blumberg, across the Baar plateau, and through the idyllic tranquility that characterizes the nature park.

• The Black Forest Panorama Cycle Route runs from Pforzheim in the Northern Black Forest to Waldshut-Tiengen in the Southern Black Forest. Along this route, you will also pass through Enzklösterle in the Enz Valley, where our Black Forest holiday home is located.
• The well-known Enz Valley Cycle Path starts in Enzklösterle
• Danube Cycle Path
• Monastery Route Cycle Path
• Nagold Valley Cycle Path
• Neckar Valley Cycle Path
• Black Forest Panorama Cycle Route
• Southern Black Forest Cycle Route
• Rhineland-Palatinate Cycle Route ·
• Rhine Cycle Route ·
• Hinterzarten, Waldshut-Tiengen and Bad Säckingen are also good cycling destinations with a panoramic cycle path along the High Rhine.

The ADFC offers even more quality cycle routes for tourism.

An absolute cycling highlight in the region, admittedly only suitable for the most athletic cyclists, is the SURM, held in Alpirsbach. The SURM is internationally renowned and takes place annually, usually in September. It is organized by the Alpirsbach Cycling Club (Radsportverein Alpirsbach e.V.). The SURM is one of the toughest cycling marathons in Germany – participation is correspondingly significant and prestigious. Top riders and professionals also take part. Cyclists can compete in three different tours:

- Short bike tour: 95 km long and 1200 meters of elevation gain

- Medium route (medium difficulty): 146 km with 1900 meters of elevation gain

- Long cycling marathon tour: 233 km with 3800 (!) meters of elevation gain

A truly fantastic route through the entire Black Forest. Starting in the Rhine plain near Karlsruhe and then leading through the beautiful mountains and valleys of the Northern Black Forest to Lörrach on the Swiss border, this special mountain bike routetakes you on a 375 km ride from north to south. There are numerous climbs up to the ridges and back down into the beautiful Black Forest valleys. This tour is not suitable for road bikes or simple touring bikes but is ideal for mountain bikers or e-mountain bikes . The challenging route can be completed in four days or more. Alternatively, you can choose any section of the route as a day trip from one of your holiday homes in the Northern Black Forest. The holiday accommodations are located near the route. We will be publishing more tips for mountain bike tours soon.