Self-Guided Cycling in Germany & Switzerland: From Freiburg to the High Rhine
Experience the relaxed charm of the Southern Black Forest on an easy-to-moderate circular cycle tour through Germany and Switzerland. Starting in sunny Freiburg, this self-guided journey takes you through dense fir forests, historic high-roofed Black Forest farmhouses, and rolling vineyards before reaching the lively three-country city of Basel. By using a scenic train transfer to conquer the main mountain elevation, you’ll spend much of your time effortlessly coasting downhill toward the High Rhine. Along the way, you can unwind in ancient Roman thermal springs, cross Europe’s longest covered wooden bridge, and savor the renowned wines of the Margraviate region.
Relaxed Elevation with Included Train Transfers
We take the hassle out of your cycling holiday so you can fully enjoy the scenery. Your package covers 6 nights of comfortable accommodation, daily luggage transport between hotels, and your essential train transfer through the Höllental valley to skip the steepest climbs. You’ll also receive complete travel documentation with detailed maps and access to a 7-day service hotline for seamless support throughout your self-guided loop.
ROUTE
Beginning in historic Freiburg, Germany’s warmest city, the route leads into the heart of the Black Forest. A scenic train ride through the Höllental valley carries you up to Lake Titisee, allowing you to bypass the primary climb before cycling past traditional Black Forest farmhouses toward Bonndorf. From there, you’ll roll downhill to the High Rhine at Waldshut-Tiengen on the Swiss border. Following the river past historic Laufenburg and Bad Säckingen, you cross into Switzerland to reach Basel. Heading north along the Rhine, you’ll cycle past Roman thermal spa towns like Badenweiler and through the lush vineyards of the Margraviate region before completing your loop in Freiburg.
Your comprehensive travel documents and maps will guide you every step of the way. Ride at your own pace, taking plenty of time to sample traditional Black Forest cake, relax in healing mineral springs, or stop at local winery taverns along the trail.
Itinerary
Day 1: Freiburg – Individual arrival
Your Black Forest cycling holiday starts in Freiburg, a city influenced by French and Austrian culture and considered the warmest city in Germany. The streams running through the Old Town create a pleasant microclimate in summer. The Romanesque-Gothic cathedral is the focal point of the city, while Freiburg’s local mountain, the Schauinsland, offers wonderful views over the Black Forest. If you have booked a rental bike, it will be available at the hotel.
Day 2: Freiburg – Bonndorf
28 miles / approx. 45 km + train ride
The Black Forest bike tour takes you into the heart of the Black Forest. You first cycle around 10 km to Kirchzarten, where you board the train to Titisee. The train journey through the Höllental valley takes care of most of the day’s elevation gain, allowing you to enjoy a more relaxed start. From Titisee, you continue cycling along the Southern Black Forest Bike Path, passing typical Black Forest farmhouses with their distinctive low-hanging hipped roofs before reaching Bonndorf.
Day 3: Bonndorf – Waldshut-Tiengen
28-31 miles / approx. 45-50 km
You can choose to spend an additional day in Bonndorf and explore the nearby Wutach Gorge, one of the last wild river landscapes. Alternatively, continue directly towards the Rhine Valley, located around 500 metres below. The route takes you gently downhill through the hills of the Black Forest to Waldshut-Tiengen, situated directly on the Swiss border.
Day 4: Waldshut-Tiengen – Basel
34-40 miles / approx. 55-65 km + optional train ride
Cycle via Laufenburg to Bad Säckingen, home to the longest covered wooden bridge in Europe. Along the way, you can visit the Garbage Museum and the Trumpet Museum, which tells the romantic story of the trumpeter of Bad Säckingen. Continue along the north bank of the Rhine to Rheinfelden, where you can shorten the stage by taking the train to Basel (not included). If you continue cycling, the route passes the Roman Museum Augusta Raurica, where the remains of the ancient Roman colony can still be seen. The day ends in Basel, the city of three countries, and is the longest cycling stage of the tour.
Day 5: Basel – Badenweiler / Müllheim
28-31 miles / approx. 45-50 km
Leaving lively Basel and the three-country border region behind, you cycle towards the Isteiner Klotz. Once surrounded by the waters of the Rhine, this distinctive landmark has stood away from the river since the Tulla Rhine correction. Continuing along the edge of the Black Forest, you soon reach the first bathing resorts, where healing mineral waters emerge from the mountains and have been used for thermal baths since Roman times.
Day 6: Badenweiler – Freiburg
35 – 45 km / 22 – 28 miles
Stroll through the excellently preserved upper town of Bregenz. At Hard, you then cross the Rhine, which comes from the Swiss Alps, whose estuary delta is an important nature reserve. On Swiss soil, in Altenrhein, stands the Hundertwasser Hall, the last colorful building by the famous artist. You cycle along the lakeshore to the southernmost tip of Lake Constance, to Rorschach.
Day 7: Freiburg – End of your trip or extension
After breakfast, your Black Forest cycling holiday comes to an end. You can depart from Freiburg or extend your stay in the city with additional nights.
Getting to Freiburg (Departure Point)
By Air: Nearest airport is EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (~50 mins by direct bus). Frankfurt (FRA) and Zurich (ZRH) offer direct trains in under 2 hours.
By Train: Freiburg Hauptbahnhof is a major ICE/IC/TGV rail hub with direct links from Paris, Frankfurt, and Zurich.
By Car: Accessible via the A5 motorway. Park at the central Karlsbau garage or free outskirts P+R lots with tram connections.
How to book this tour
We require a deposit of 25% of the tour price per person upon reservation; final payment 6 weeks before tour departure.
Included
- Accommodation: 6 nights in en-suite rooms (shower/WC) in national 3-star level hotels and guesthouses.
- Meals: 6x daily buffet breakfasts.
- Luggage Transport: Hotel-to-hotel daily luggage transfers (no limit on number of pieces, max. 20 kg per piece).
- Train Transfer: Train ride from Kirchzarten to Titisee (including bike transport) to bypass the main mountain climb.
- Navigation & Info: Comprehensive travel documents with route maps (1 set per room).
- Support: Service hotline available 7 days a week (8 a.m. – 8 p.m.).
NOT Included
- Travel to and from Freiburg.
- Bicycle rental.
- Tourist taxes (payable on-site where applicable).
- Optional train ride from Rheinfelden to Basel
- Travel document package
- Lunches, dinners, drinks, tips, and personal expenses.
- Extra nights in Freiburg or Basel.
- Travel insurance
- Anything not listed as included is not included
Choose the option that best fits your schedule and start planning your cycling journey.
Check available options
Departures & Prices
Daily arrivals from 21 May to 04 September. The season is determined by the arrival date.
Additionally, arrivals are available on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 24 April to 26 September.
Prices are per person in a double room for 2027.
Season A
24 Apr – 29 Apr | 19 Sep – 26 Sep
From
739€
Options & Supplements
✓
+259 Single supplement
Season B
30 Apr – 20 May | 5 Sep – 18 Sep
From
899€
Options & Supplements
✓
+259 Single supplement
Season C
21 May – 4 Sep
From
1129€
Options & Supplements
✓
+259 Single supplement
Accommodation
Carefully selected to ensure comfort, quality, and a relaxing and unforgettable journey.
(3★ hotels), including breakfast.
Additional nights
Prices per person, including breakfast
Freiburg
Category B
Double Room 89€
Single room 139€
BIKES
You can choose to rent a bicycle. Below you’ll find the essential information for rent options.
27-gear Bike
109 €
30-Gear Bike
189€
E-Bike
299 €
Teenager’s bike
69 €