Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg Self-Guided: Stages, Accommodations & Map 2026
The Heidelberg–Schwarzwald–Bodensee cycle route runs from Heidelberg via Bruchsal, Pforzheim and Calw through the Schwarzwald to Donaueschingen. From there it continues via Singen (Hohentwiel) to Radolfzell am Bodensee.
The Heidelberg–Schwarzwald–Bodensee route is 311,0 km long and takes you from Heidelberg all the way to Radolfzell am Bodensee. Along the way you stitch together densely populated stretches in Baden-Württemberg with longer, quieter sections through the Schwarzwald, then on towards Hegau and the lake. The line makes a clear west–east arc: from Heidelberg via St. Leon-Rot, Bruchsal and Bretten to Pforzheim, then through Bad Liebenzell to Kloster Hirsau and on via Calw, Nagold and Horb am Neckar to Rottweil. After that you head through Villingen-Schwenningen and Donaueschingen, before rolling via Tengen to Singen (Hohentwiel) and finally into Radolfzell. According to the info box, the total climbing is around 3500 Hm (100 m to 771 m), traffic levels are low, and the ADFC rating is 3 out of 5 stars. It works well for sporty tourers and e-bike riders; for families, only if you keep the stages short.
Route Profile
| Distance | 303 km |
| Stages | 6 |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Best Season | Spring, Summer, Autumn |
| Signage | unknown |
| Suitable For | Recreational cyclists, Experienced cyclists, E-bike |
| Surface | Mixed |
Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg Map
BikeTouri Tip: View the complete route on a map in BikeTouri – with all accommodations and supply points. Also available offline.
Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg Stages
Wikipedia lists the Heidelberg–Schwarzwald–Bodensee cycle route in 6 stages at roughly 34–64 km per day. That’s a workable split if you’re moving at a decent pace and you’re more about riding kilometres than collecting sightseeing days.
Stage 1: Heidelberg → Bretten (62 km)
You start in Heidelberg and ride via St. Leon-Rot and Bruchsal to Bretten. At around 62 km, it’s a straightforward opening stage that gets you out of the start area quickly.
Heidelberg, Bruchsal, Bretten.
Stage 2: Bretten → Calw (48 km)
From Bretten you head via Pforzheim and Bad Liebenzell towards Calw. Kloster Hirsau sits right on this stage and is the obvious stop before you roll into Calw.
Pforzheim, Bad Liebenzell, Kloster Hirsau, Calw.
Stage 3: Calw → Horb am Neckar (47 km)
This stage takes you from Calw via Wildberg and Nagold to Horb am Neckar. At around 47 km you’ve got enough wiggle room to shorten the day if needed, or use it for an early start.
Wildberg, Nagold, Horb am Neckar.
Stage 4: Horb → Rottweil (48 km)
From Horb am Neckar you roll via Empfingen and Irslingen to Rottweil. At around 48 km it’s a solid day that finishes neatly with an arrival in town in Rottweil.
Empfingen, Irslingen, Rottweil.
Stage 5: Rottweil → Donaueschingen (34 km)
Short and tidy: from Rottweil via Deißlingen and Villingen-Schwenningen to Bad Dürrheim, then on to Donaueschingen. The roughly 34 km makes sense if you want to save your legs for the next long stage.
Villingen-Schwenningen, Bad Dürrheim, Donaueschingen.
Stage 6: Donaueschingen → Radolfzell am Bodensee (64 km)
The final stage is the longest at around 64 km: from Donaueschingen via Tengen to Singen (Hohentwiel), then on via Rielasingen-Worblingen to Radolfzell am Bodensee. The shift towards the Bodensee gives this stage a proper finish-line feel.
Tengen, Singen (Hohentwiel), Rielasingen-Worblingen, Radolfzell am Bodensee.
The Most Beautiful Section on the Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg
If you only want to pick one section for a long weekend: stage 2 from Bretten via Pforzheim and Bad Liebenzell to Calw, with a proper ‘detour without detouring’ feel because Kloster Hirsau sits right on the route. Highlight: Kloster Hirsau – the most clearly signposted big-name stop on the whole route; after that you roll on to Calw and can finish the day with some culture rather than city traffic.
Highlights on the Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg
- Kloster Hirsau (on stage 2 between Bad Liebenzell and Calw).
- Hohentwiel near Singen (stage 6, listed as “Singen (Hohentwiel)”).
- Start in Heidelberg as the official beginning of the route.
- Finish in Radolfzell am Bodensee with a connection to the Bodensee-Radweg.
Accommodations on the Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg
Along the Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg you'll find numerous accommodation options – from hotels and guesthouses to campsites and small tent meadows.
Campsites & Tent Options
Along the Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg there are numerous places to camp – from large campsites to small tent meadows on farms. Campsites usually don't need to be booked in advance.
Hotels & Guesthouses
Numerous accommodations along the route – from hostels and guesthouses to hotels. Important for cycle tourists: secure bike storage and no minimum stay requirements.
BikeTouri Tip: BikeTouri shows you all accommodations along the route – with prices, amenities, and reviews from cycle tourists. Also available offline.
Planning Your Heidelberg-Schwarzwald-Bodensee-Weg Trip
What should you book in advance?
During peak season (June-August), it's recommended to book accommodations in popular stops 1-2 days ahead. Outside peak season, spontaneous booking is usually possible.
What can you decide spontaneously?
Daily distances, rest stops, restaurant visits, and detours to attractions can all be decided on the day based on weather and how you're feeling.
Typical daily costs
Practical Information
Getting There & Away
The route is well connected by train at both start and end points. Most regional trains accept bicycles, though reservations may be required during peak season.
Shopping Along the Way
Supermarkets and grocery stores can be found in most towns along the route. Plan for longer stretches in rural areas where shops may be limited.
Bike Shops & Repairs
Bicycle repair shops are available in larger towns. Carry basic tools and a spare tube for emergencies between service points.
More Information
Conclusion
The HSB route is a long, point-to-point ride from Heidelberg to Radolfzell, with a clear stage structure and low traffic according to the source. Just expect noticeable climbing (around 3500 Hm in total) and plan your breaks around the few properly named highlights like Kloster Hirsau and Hohentwiel rather than assuming there’ll be one every few kilometres.
Why BikeTouri?
We don't just show the big campsites – but also small tent meadows, farms, and cyclist-friendly guesthouses. With prices, reviews from cycle tourists, and offline maps.