Refuge and Hornisgrinde

Last update 26-Aug-2022: The route has been corrected to follow the Murg Valley Cycle Path as much as possible. The panoramic point Ellbachseeblick was also included in the route and the route between Mitteltal and Baiersbronn was changed.
 

Cycling enthusiasts immediately think of the Black Forest as the southern part with the highest peaks such as Feldberg and Belchen. In the northern part of the Black Forest, however, you can also make many altimeters on quiet roads.

This route starts in the flower and half-timbered village of Sasbachwalden. When leaving Sasbachwalden on the way to the summit of the Schönbüch (Markteich) it is immediately climbing. Then descend to Seebach and follow the ascent to Kernhof-Bosenstein. A long gradual descent (with a small moderate climb) takes you through the beautiful Lierbach valley to Oppenau. The town of Oppenau is the foot for one of the toughest climbs in the Black Forest: the refuge. Instead of the main road, the route leads along a very quiet side road through the village of Maisach.

Once at the top, you come to the Black Forest High Road (federal highway B500), which can be extremely busy with motorcycles on Sundays and public holidays in good weather. However, you only cycle a few kilometers on this road (partly on a bike path) and then dive into the forest. The route makes a 100-metre-long detour on a gravel road to the Ellbachseeblick viewpoint. Then it goes on a well-paved forest road (car-free, only permit holders are allowed to take this road by car) in the direction of Baiersbronn, which is located in the valley of the Murg.

In the Murg Valley, follow the Murg Valley Cycle Path (free paved cycle path along the Murg) to Schönmünzach. This is followed by a beautiful ascent via Hinterer Langenbach and Seibelseckle to the summit of the Hornisgrinde (at an altitude of 1164 meters). This road is closed to car traffic in some places. Then follow the B500 (Black Forest High Road) for about 3 kilometers to climb the cul-de-sac to the northern summit of the Hornisgrinde. What remains is the descent to Sasbachwalden, which has decline rates of 12% on longer distances. This route turns right at the hamlet of Bischenberg and leads steeply over the hamlet of Murberg to Sasbachwalden. Of course, you can also continue to follow the main road to Sasbachwalden.