Lahr-Reichenbach - Nordrach - Alexanderschanze - Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach - Wolfach - Lahr

(106 km / ~ 1600 m elevation gain)

Castle Geroldseck on Schönberg We start at the roundabout in Lahr-Reichenbach and cross Schönberg to reach the Kinzig valley. We go straight ahead until Zell am Harmersbach. Here we turn left and enter the Nordrach valley. This is the most scenic part of this route. During 12 km we gain an easy 200 m of altitude. In Nordrach-Kolonie the real climb starts. The first section is the hardest. After the first hairpin the climb gradually flattens, but averages 9 % and goes up to 750 m. We continue with a steep descent into the Rench valley.

The B28 takes us to Bad Peterstal (Bad Peterstal-Griesbach), a spa town with a mineral water producer. Beyond that the narrow valley isn't very scenic. In Bad Griesbach we start the ascent to the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse (Black Forest High Road). The fluid 7 km climb gains 500 m of altitude. Close to the top one is greeted by a wind turbine. A short bit on the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse later, we reach Alexanderschanze, the remains of a medieval fortress and highest point of the tour at 970 m above sea level. We ride past the Hotel Alexanderschanze and 2 km later we leave the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse for Wolfach.
Kinzig valley

Now we start descending. First a quick drop to Bad Rippoldsau, home of the Bad Peterstaler filling plant (mineral water). The next 20 km winding down the Wolf valley lose another 350 m of altitude.

Coniferous forest. In Wolfach we get on the Kinzig bike path. This allows a stress free way back and avoids entering Hausach and Haslach. The route ends with a final climb of Schönberg via Prinzbach.

This tour can be shortened a bit. By turning right in Bad Peterstal we can take another small road. Unfortunately the road surface is very poor.