{"id":12089,"date":"2023-06-19T22:29:14","date_gmt":"2023-06-19T20:29:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/?p=12089"},"modified":"2026-10-05T07:43:55","modified_gmt":"2026-10-05T07:43:55","slug":"freiburg-is-your-new-cycling-hotspot-in-northern-europe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/cyclingdestination.cc\/en\/verhalen\/duitsland\/freiburg-is-jouw-nieuwe-fietshotspot-in-noord-europa","title":{"rendered":"Freiburg is your new cycling hotspot in Northern Europe"},"content":{"rendered":"

If we are on our second day in Freiburg<\/a> When we show up for breakfast, the sun is already doing its work outside. Although the temperature is still a bit chilly, a new tropical day is on the way. We discuss the route a bit more, but soon it becomes clear: we are going to climb \u2018De Kandel\u2019. One of the highlights here around Freiburg. Just after eight o\u2019clock, after we have had a good breakfast of eggs, yogurt with granola and fruit plus a cup of coffee, we get on the bike. Eastwards, towards the Black Forest with this cycling route from Freiburg<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cycling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Text: Sander Kolsloot \u2013 Photos: Sander Kolsloot \u2013 Mark Heij \u2013 Dennis Knuist<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Close to nature<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Our hotel is located on the southeast side of the city, and as we start our route, we\u2019re quickly immersed in nature. Where the day before we rode a long stretch along the river, but within the city limits, it\u2019s now pretty quick to get to the urban environment. In the distance, the mountains are waiting for us. The bike path is wonderfully wide, and with the not-too-warm sun, it\u2019s a real treat. After about 10 kilometers, we turn left. Wahoo immediately shouts, \u2018Climb!\u2019 With 17 kilometers ahead at an average of 4.5 percent, it\u2019s a lovely long ride. Note that there is a bit of a downhill stretch, so the average climb will be slightly higher.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cycling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Alps, Dolomites or just Germany?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As soon as the climb really starts, I have to blink my eyes a few times. Am I dreaming? Am I in Germany or in another Alpine country, or am I secretly in Italy? It\u2019s a wonderful mix of alpine meadows and beautiful rock walls. It feels like the typical Alpine climbing. Although we\u2019re not officially in the Alps. That\u2019s special, and all this is just a 6.5-hour drive from Utrecht. By train, you can even be there in under six hours. The first part of the climb is really a bit of a slog. The percentages rarely exceed five percent, so we can really catch up, take photos, and enjoy the surroundings. Traditional farms and small villages alternate with names like St. Peter and S\u00e4gendobel, making you feel like you\u2019re really in Germany. The forest provides sufficient protection from the scorching sun, although you can\u2019t avoid driving through stretches of open terrain. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The real work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After St. Peter, the real work begins. Here we also get our first hairpin bends, often a sign that the percentages are heading towards double digits. It remains quite green, and that will be the case almost all the way to the top. That top is only 1200 meters high, but to get there you have to cross a few steep stretches. Here the meter ticks at a maximum of eleven percent, with an average of nine percent for a kilometer. That\u2019s no easy feat. This part of the climb is also much more irregular than the first part. What is noticeable is that despite the length of over 17 kilometers, it doesn\u2019t feel like a task to ride up here. The view from the top (at the Bergkandel restaurant) is also spectacular! Unfortunately, we can\u2019t make the descent to Waldkirch because of \u2018spring-cleaning activities.\u2019 So we turn around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Coffee stop in the Glottertal<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

On the way down, Dennis and I make a small change in the route. This leads to losing our bike buddy Mark. A small form of panic takes over, combined with no phone signal means that we have to make our way back up. Who knows, maybe Mark is in a ditch? Just before we were about to start a real search, the phone gives us a few lines of signal again. After going through three attempts, I hear Mark\u2019s voice crystal clear: \u2018Where are you? I\u2019m at the hotel!\u2019 A sigh of relief. Dennis and I turn towards Glottertal, where we plan a coffee and cake stop after a wonderfully undulating descent. At Thomas Weiss, it\u2019s a feast for the eyes. Combined with a price level that almost seems pre-war, the cake and coffee taste extra delicious. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cycling<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Crossing to Kaiserstuhl, a must-see in this area<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

We had the choice to head towards Titisee, but in the end the photos and Google convinced us to take the route towards Kaiserstuhl. The so-called Texas Pass, which we already had, Previously<\/a> Having appointed a guide, our main goal is to get there. We see vines, beautiful curves and a relatively easy climb. Let\u2019s go. First, we have to cross over, but to get to Kaiserstuhl you also have to overcome some vines. Tip from the butcher: The vines are located on a hill and that hill is often steep. The result: tough legs where the altimeter turns red. The photos, on the other hand, do a lot of good. Mark follows us in the car and finally waits for us at Kaiserstuhl. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It doesn\u2019t disappoint. <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The photos already look pretty impressive. That\u2019s an understatement. Once we\u2019re there, we drive up the short Texas pass to the seat of the Emperor. Because that\u2019s what it really feels like when we\u2019re at the viewpoint. What a beautiful view we\u2019re presented with. Vineyards, hairpin bends, a view that makes you want to gasp. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Cycling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cycling<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Just one more detour<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

After our short photoshoot, the results are in and we are heading back to Freiburg. The route we chose takes us over one of the famous mountain ridges again. What the route planner doesn\u2019t mention is that we are being driven over white gravel for a few kilometers\u2026 downhill. That wasn\u2019t exactly the plan. Anyway. We are not going to be trapped in one hole. When we reach a rest area at the end of the descent, we have one more cup of coffee. If we want to finish the hike, there\u2019s a small surprise: only contactless payment is accepted here. There you are, with about 6 of us paying bills together but no way to actually pay. Oh well. The joke is sure to be made. Fortunately, we get a slip with a bill number and everything can be arranged. We head back home. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Student city Freiburg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Freiburg is a real student city. It really reminds me of the various Dutch student cities. Compact, organized, and there is a lively atmosphere. Mayor Lenferink of Leiden, the city where I once studied, said at every introductory week that the city would come alive again when the students returned from vacation. When we get a short tour of some of the highlights of the city, including the M\u00fcnster (large church), the new library (architecturally very interesting), and through the main street and the city gates, the city really comes to you. So lovely to come back after a long day of cycling and having a quick stop at a terrace. Or taking a dip in the Dreisam, the river that characterizes the city and also enriches it. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

READ ALSO: Incredible beautiful cycling route in Freiburg<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Caff\u00e8 Bicicletta \u2013 typical German<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As we are almost back at the hotel, we still have a bit of trouble. Flat tire, need to change it. Now we are near the perfect bike caf\u00e9 in Freiburg, Caff\u00e8 Bicicletta<\/a>. A great place for an espresso, a cappuccino, or to fix your bike while you wait. We peek inside. Owner Martin Allmendinger is a cycling enthusiast with a clear opinion. About life, about cycling, about coffee. He is also someone who likes to help. We are allowed to use the workshop, which quickly turns into a full-scale repair session where Martin is not shy about waving his hands. We drink a cup of coffee (according to locals the best latte and cappuccino in Freiburg), a local alcohol-free brew, and we talk about the oddities in the peloton. The best place for a \u2018pit stop\u2019 as it is so aptly called. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Cafe<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"Freiburg<\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

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Cycling route from Freiburg<\/h2>\n\n\n\n