Black Forest Cycle Route Stage 1 Karlsruhe - Gernsbach

The information board at the south exit of Karlsruhe main station lists the individual stations of the 370 km long cycling route to Lörrach.

From the south exit of the station, the cycling route signage "red lozenge with bicycle symbol" leads flat and pleasantly for getting started via the busy southern bypass into the Oberwald, passing the animal park. Under the Autobahn 5 it goes over fields and meadows past Wolfartsweier to Aue and Geigersberg.

The first ascent to the open area at Lamprechts- and Thomashof follows, and considering the northern edge of the Black Forest, you bypass Stupferich and descend to Mutschelbach. Up through the Bocksbach valley, under the BAB 8, you reach Karlsbad-Langensteinbach. Passing below the clinic, the signage goes towards Ittersbach, there on the L 622 turn right and shortly after left. Cross the roundabout at Conweiler and steadily uphill, first on field paths, later partly on the K 4551 towards Neusatz and Dobel. After another five kilometers, the Weithäusleplatz at 822 meters above sea level is reached, the highest point so far. From there, sharp right downhill to the Talwiesenschänke ski lodge and then very steeply into the Alb valley to Zieflensberg-Plotzsägmühle.

After a short ascent follow a few comfortable kilometers of brisk descent. At the forest exit, there opens a magnificent view over the half-timbered village of Loffenau, the broad Murg valley and to Merkur, the local mountain of Baden-Baden. On the main road to Loffenau, through the large village square, past the original fountain, the path leads left always downhill through the Igelbach valley to Gernsbach.