Climbing to great heights. Just over six hours' drive from Utrecht, you'll find the student town of Freiburg im Breisgau. With binoculars, you can already see the Vosges Mountains just across the border with France. But there is much more to explore from Freiburg. In this respect, Freiburg is an ideal basecamp in the Black Forest. This city is actually in the middle of the Black Forest, the Black Forest. Fairly close by you will find a climb of I told you so: the Kandel. With only 1208 metres altitude, not a high-flyer, but if you put the percentages next to it, you really have to swallow. There is plenty more beauty to discover in this area. Are you still looking for a cool basecamp for your next cycling holiday? Freiburg. Nuff said.
Off we go
As mentioned, Freiburg is an ideal basecamp in the Black Forest. And as a student city, there is actually always something to do on your return. The advantage of this area is that you can literally go anywhere. We made a nice route towards the 'Texas Pass' that runs between the two 'Kaiserstuhl' towns of Oberbergen and Kiechlingsbergen. Because you are really driving in the middle of one of Germany's wine regions here, you have insane views. Don't be lulled to sleep though, as the gradients on the short climbs to 400 to 500 metres altitude have 10% or more in them. Das no cat's paw. In 70 kilometres, you'll then pick up 700 altimeters. Fine to start with.
Kandel
The place to be in this area is the ascent of the Kandel. This climb totalling 11.8 kilometres (if you take the steepest side) and 7.8% average is one of the most difficult in all of Germany. Not only that: you are presented with brilliant hairpin bends but meanwhile you also have to brave percentages ranging between 10 and 16%. The first few kilometres are still friendly, but after that it's raking to the top. There is one kilometre that does not go below 10% average. Get your teeth wet. There are several ways to start this beklmming, but the best is still the one from the northern direction. We made a nice 'konigsrunde' of 140 kilometres. You'll be busy for a while then and in the end the beer on the terrace will taste good!
Feldberg
If you do want to get to high altitude, the Feldberg is the designated climb. Eventually, you end up at almost 1,500 metres altitude. The western variant measures almost 16 kilometres (15.8) in length and, at 5.4% average, it is not an insurmountable challenge. Indeed, it almost sounds like a good training climb. The stretch between 10 and 6 kilometres from the summit lends itself perfectly to the better block work. Mind you, the gradient does not drop below 7% there so it can rightfully be called stomping. You're almost in Switzerland here, which is noticeable in everything. If you come here in autumn, you can shoot some brilliant pictures. Like this one. It really is a nice environment to test yourself.
