Pure active holidays by bike from Heidelberg to Lake Constance
With a length of 308 kilometers with gentle heights, challenging inclines and flat stretches on mostly asphalted paths across sunny Baden-Württemberg, the Heidelberg-Black Forest-Lake Constance Cycle Path offers both a challenge and a pleasure to cycle.
The starting point of the route is romantic Heidelberg. The baroque old town is dominated by the world-famous Heidelberg Castle above.
The tour begins
A little further along the Neckar, then it goes out into a wide, flat plain and dense deciduous forests. The "Schwetzinger Hardt" is the largest regional forest protection area and at the same time a recreational forest. Sustainable forestry and nature conservation live here in complete harmony. The journey leads through the Kraichgau, the "Tuscany of Baden" to Bruchsal. A stop at the baroque residence "Schloss Bruchsal", the most beautiful castle in the Kraichgau, is worthwhile.
It continues comfortably from Bruchsal to the first destination of the day in Bretten. The first 60 kilometers are done and the difference in altitude of 50 meters on average is easy to manage.
First ascents demand stamina
From Bretten the path climbs. A difference in altitude of around 200 meters presents the first challenges. After the first climb, it then goes rapidly downhill to the gold city of Pforzheim. On the edge of the Black Forest, the city attracts with watch and jewelry workshops. The city center is worth seeing with the castle and collegiate church of St. Michael and the Roman excavation sites at Kappelhof. We continue through the romantic Nagold valley into the mountains of the northern Black Forest to Bad Liebenzell. Spa and relaxation have a tradition here. Liebenzell Castle rises imposingly above the treetops. We continue to Hirsau Monastery and its three-aisled, exceptionally long church. Built in the 11th century, the basilica is one of the largest Romanesque churches. Shortly afterwards the goal for the day becomes Calw reached.
Here no visitor can pass by the famous son of the city, Hermann Hesse. The Nikolausbrücke over the Nagold with the Hermann-Hesse statue, the Hermann-Hesse-Platz with the beautiful fountain and finally the Hermann-Hesse-Museum are all geared towards the famous writer, painter and Nobel Prize winner.
Along the Nagold
The route of the Heidelberg-Black Forest-Lake Constance cycle path from Calw is idyllic. Through meadow valleys along the Nagold. An almost untouched nature forms the backdrop, which is characterized by forests and meadows until you finally reach the romantic shepherd town of Wildberg. Architectural monuments from the Middle Ages, the palace complex and the historic monastery radiate peace and relaxation. From now on it goes steadily uphill. However, the route is easy to drive on and relatively easy to master. Only after you have passed the city of Nagold does the more demanding, strong ascent to a high plateau begin, from which, however, a wonderful all-round view reconciles the exertion. The last stretch to the day's destination Horb in the Neckar Valley can then be completed on a leisurely roll.
Between the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb
A picturesque landscape opens up from Horb to the south. To the west the heights of the Black Forest and to the east the low mountain range of the Swabian Jura. This stage is the most strenuous and difficult route, leading from Horb in the Neckar Valley to Rottweil, the oldest town in Baden-Württemberg. Right at the beginning it goes up to the high landscape of the Upper Gäue. In between, dense pine forests on the karstic soil provide wonderful views of the mountain panorama of the Black Forest. At the end of the day, the “skyline” of Rottweil, the town on the Neckar with its 264 meter high tower, greets you from afar. Rottweil's modern landmark, the Thyssen Krupp Elevator, is used to test high-speed elevators. From the upper platform, Germany's highest visitor platform, there is a fabulous view of the surroundings.
Cycling on the plateau
It continues along the Neckar to its sources in the Schwenniger Moos. The Neckar begins to bubble here at a height of around 705 meters. The cycle path leads through Villingen-Schwenningen in the eastern edge of the Black Forest and further on the plateau to Donaueschingen. The first part goes uphill again and then takes you down the Roman road down into the Danube valley and downhill to Donaueschingen at a brisk ride. Romans, Celts and Alemanni have left their mark on the city and along its historic old town streets.
Lake Constance is reached
The last stage is on the one hand the longest but at the same time a pleasure route. Most of the time, the route is flat or only moderately up and down over smaller hills and always with a great view of the mountain panorama, meadows and wide fields. From Hohentwiel Castle, the bike rolls down by itself to the shores of Lake Constance and the beautiful Radolfzell promenade.
