MTB region
Black Forest
Overview
Black Forest for riders
The Black Forest is not an Alpine imitation, and it doesn't try to be. Dense, dark uplands forest, deeply cut valleys, endless forest roads and, threaded between them, a network of rooty, natural singletrails – that's how this region rides. And it has real MTB history: Todtnau at the Hasenhorn is home to Germany's oldest bike park, founded in 1996 and still something like the cradle of German downhill. Ride here among the firs and you notice quickly: the Black Forest rewards people who like technical terrain and forest floor more than pure flow-seekers.
The flagship is Bikepark Todtnau: the black downhill race track at the Hasenhorn is one of the oldest and most demanding in Germany – packed with roots, rock passages and jumps, and a repeat venue for the iXS Cup and the German Championship. Around Freiburg, the Trailpark Schwarzwald Süd shows the region's other side: legal, city-side trails on the Rosskopf like the Borderline, plus the long singletrail descent off the Kandel – Freiburg is a pioneer in Germany when it comes to legal trails.
There’s a lot of ground in between. In the middle of the region, the Trailhead Schwarzwald Mitte near Freudenstadt offers a Bundesliga-grade course, alongside natural trails like the singletrail near Mönchweiler. The terrain rises to nearly 1,500 metres at the Feldberg, the climate is milder than in the Alps and the season runs longer. Who is it for? Anyone who likes it forested, rooty and honest – from the downhiller in Todtnau to the family on a practice course. Pure vertical-metre hunters are better off in the Alps.
The best
Highlights
Bikepark Todtnau (Hasenhorn)
Germany's oldest bike park (since 1996) at the Hasenhorn – the black downhill race track is one of the oldest and hardest in the country, with a flow line and jumpline as rollable alternatives.
Freiburger Trails
Legal, city-side trails around Freiburg – from the Borderline on the Rosskopf to the long singletrail descent off the Kandel. Freiburg is a pioneer when it comes to legal trails.
Naturtrails Freudenstadt
A central hub in the middle Black Forest near Freudenstadt with a Bundesliga-grade course – from a beginner sector to a big rock garden, it's all here.
MTB Strecke Mönchweiler
A natural singletrail near Mönchweiler – classic Black Forest forest floor for racking up kilometres away from the big parks.
Overview
All spots
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Pumptrack Baiersbronn
Pumptrack Binzen
Pumptrack Emmendingen
Pumptrack Hexenwald
Pumptrack Offenburg
Pumptrack Pfalzgrafenweiler
Pumptrack Rheinfelden
Pumptrack Seitingen-Oberflacht-Oberflacht
Trip planning
Plan your trip
Getting there: Freiburg is the southern gateway to the Black Forest – the A5 motorway through the Rhine valley, trains from Basel, Karlsruhe and Frankfurt, plus EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse close by. From Freiburg, Todtnau is about 40 minutes away and the Trailpark area on the Rosskopf is almost on the doorstep. Freudenstadt sits centrally via the B28/A5, Singen to the southeast towards Lake Constance.
Best time: The Hasenhorn chairlift in Todtnau usually runs from the last weekend of March to early November, mostly daily – check the exact operating days before you go. The natural trails around Freiburg and Freudenstadt are rideable almost year-round, but turn slick and loamy when wet. High summer is the most reliable, mild early autumn often the finest time.
Bed & shop: Freiburg has the densest bike infrastructure in the region – shops, workshops, rental and plenty of bike-friendly lodging. Around Todtnau and the Hochschwarzwald, as well as in Freudenstadt, you'll also find accommodation and service. For multi-day trips, Freiburg makes a good base camp for day trips into the valleys.
Good to know
FAQ
Where can beginners mountain bike in the Black Forest?
What are the best bike parks in the Black Forest?
How hard is the downhill track in Todtnau at the Hasenhorn?
When is the bike park season open in the Black Forest?
Is the Black Forest good for natural singletrails?
Magazine
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