Loop to Hornisgrinde from the Rhine Valley

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This tour is a loop from Sasbachwalden to Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest (1,163 meters), and back. On the outward journey, the toughest climb in the Black Forest is conquered; see also the ranking of this mountain range. Except for the last kilometer and a half, which is identical for the outward and return legs, the return route runs south of the outward route. Naturally, the return leg is largely a descent, first gently descending along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße to Ruhestein, then descending more steeply towards Allerheiligen. One kilometer before this monastic site, we turn right to continue descending until Ottenhöfen. The ride is continued by the relatively short, second climb of the tour ending at Blaubronn (280 vertical meters), and concluded by cycling via Kappelrodeck back to the starting point in Sasbachwalden.

A downside of the route is the nearly 10-kilometer stretch, spread across the outward and return routes, along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße. This road has a promising name, but unfortunately it is wide and lacks sharp bends, allowing cars and motorcycles to drive quite fast. However, the route also has plenty of advantages. Except for the section along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, traffic varies between quiet and very quiet and the trip often offers beautiful scenery. I found the descent between the junction near Allerheiligen and the village of Ottenhöfen perhaps the most beautiful part of the ride. For cyclists, the finish of the climb to Hornisgrinde lies about 500 meters before and 8 vertical meters below the summit, as the asphalt ends there. There is a restaurant at this spot, offering a magnificent view to the west of the Rhine Valley and the Vosges Mountains beyond. From here one can also reach the highest point of the mountain with a short, easy hike. Finally, what also counts for many cyclists is that by making this ride, they finish the toughest climb in the Black Forest.