The long route version is technically demanding and leads over many trail sections. On the Panorama route, there are beautiful views of the Rhine valley up to Oberweier. There follows the ascent through the forest to Rimmelsbacher Hof. Down into the Moosalb valley to Schöllbronner Mill and then uphill again to the trail leading to the Toter-Mann stone. From there, on trails and short gravel sections, down the Alb valley until there is an uphill again on Heuweg to roll towards Albgaubad.
Over the Alb bridge, it goes towards Wattkopf and uphill on the Vogelsruhweg to the wild boar enclosure and the power line downhill. The MTB trail created by the MTB Club Karlsruhe is a real challenge and nothing for mountain bike beginners. There are variations, however, providing options for different skill levels.
Via the Hedwigsquelle, it continues up to the Wattkopf transmission tower. A trail leads left to Friedrichshütte, further to the Bismarck tower and finally back to the starting point.
Author's recommendation
At the middle of the route, you reach the parking lot at the outdoor pool again: The route can therefore easily be "halved" to take only the Wattkopf or Kreuzelberg part.
Directions
After starting at the parking lot in front of "bei der Hell" and at the Horbachquell biotope, follow the Panorama route up to the ascent of Richard-Massinger-Weg (extension of Wilhelmstraße). Follow the Panorama route along the forest edge to Oberweier. Turn left at the water reservoir Oberweier towards Carl-Schöpf-Hütte. Descend along the forest edge into the Moosalb valley. Beware when crossing L 613! Along the "Wässerwiesen" turn right downhill on a short block trail to Schöllbronner Mill, crossing the K 3553. Uphill into the small valley to the quarry barbecue hut. Right uphill towards the trail junction "Untere Raustatt", from there continue towards "Toter Mann". The trail down into the valley is initially flat and becomes steeper. Towards the end, don't miss stopping at the memorial stone on the left from 1570. At the end of the trail, at the bridge over the Moosalb, turn left uphill on the forest path and after about 200m into the inconspicuous trail of the "old" Graf-Rhena-Weg. This mostly slightly downhill trail runs parallel to the "new" Graf-Rhena forest path up to just before Heuweg to Spessart. Ascent towards Spessart via the "Heuweg" (road) at the level of the sewage treatment plant to the "Oberen Tabakmühlenweg", which leads back to Albgaubad.
The second half of the route leads past the tennis courts and across the Alb to the "Vogelsruhweg" up to Fuchsbauweg above the hunting lodge. Further over the easy trail "Grenzweg", briefly onto the Grünwettersbacher Weg, and then to the wildlife enclosure. After the enclosure, at the right edge of the power line clearing, go to the start of the power line downhill trails of the MTB Club Karlsruhe. At its end, turn left towards Hedwigsquelle. Left of the spring, uphill through the Essigwiesenklamm, the last part uphill on a trail. At the height, follow Fuchsbauweg to the Wattkopf transmission tower. Left downhill on the trail to Friedrichshöhe (small shelter), right past the Bismarck tower to the Vogelsang parking lot. Then back to the starting point via Steigenhohl, Vogelsang, Friedrich, and Schöllbronner streets, and on the way in the old town, reward yourself with three scoops of ice cream.
The signposting system of the Black Forest Association provides additional orientation points, just follow the waypoints:
Ettlingen Albgaubad - Bei der Hell - Weiligquelle - Waldsaum - Fleckenhöhe - Waldsaumhalle - Hebigsäcker - Steinäcker - Scheuerklamm - Carl-Schöpf-Hütte - Beim Rimmelsbacher Hof - Tannenbrunnenhütte - Mühlwiese - Tannenbachbrückle - Schöllbronner Mühle - Beim Toter Mann Stein - Obere Raustatt - Schöllbronn Solbrunnen - Windwiesenklinge - Kochmühle - Untere Eselsklinge - Eselsklinge - Rüppich - Steigenklinge - Untere Detschenklinge - Wasserwerk - Ettlingen Schützenkreuz - (Ettlingen Albgaubad) - Beim Watt - Überm Wattkopftunnel - Unterer Vogelsruhweg - Muckenklinge - Jagdhütte - Sattelklamm - Ettlingerweg - An der Grenze - (SMDH) - Hedwigsquelle - Essigwiesenklamm - Obere Essigwiesenklamm - Kälberskopf - Am Wattkopf - Hütte Friedrichshöhe - Kaisereiche - Ettlingen Johanneskirche - Ettlingen Albgaubad
Equipment
A modern, trail-capable mountain bike (hardtail or full suspension) with good brakes and a dropper seatpost.
Safety information
This route is not suitable for mountain bike beginners because of the Toter-Mann trail and especially the power line downhill.
Use of the trails and connecting paths is at your own risk. The marking does not imply any traffic safety obligation on the part of the path owners, the affected municipalities, forestry administrations, or the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park. Cyclists must be prepared for forest-specific hazards and are themselves responsible for accidents and falls. Vehicle traffic and temporary trail closures, e.g., due to forestry operations or hunting, must always be expected. Warning signs from forestry administrations, hunting operations, or other warnings must be observed without fail. Mutual consideration is a matter of honor.
More information
Mountain bike skills courses are offered by TRAILSKILLS in Ettlingen, Bad Herrenalb, and Remchingen. From March to October, there are courses for beginners, advanced courses for experienced mountain bikers, ladies-only courses just for women, and new from 2020 for children from 7 years old. There are also irregular and on-demand courses with the MTB Club Karlsruhe.
