The short route version circles Kreuzelberg and Wattkopf without major technical riding challenges. On the panorama path, you cycle up to the ascent of the Richard-Massinger-Weg (blue diamond), then sharply turn left uphill to the viewing pavilion and continue on the Pfaffenbrunnenweg towards Schluttenbach up to the radio tower. Passing through Spessart, it goes in a rapid descent down the Heuweg into the Alb valley and on the Graf-Rhena-Weg back to Ettlingen until just before the Albgau outdoor swimming pool. For the second section of the route, you take a right over the Alb bridge towards Wattkopf and ascend on the Vogelsruhweg up to the hunting lodge and wild boar enclosure. The route circles Wattkopf and leads downhill to the Vogelsang parking lot and back through the town to the starting point.
Autorentipp
At the middle of the route you reach the outdoor swimming pool parking lot again: the route can therefore be easily "halved" to take only the Wattkopf or Kreuzelberg section.
Wegbeschreibung
Starting at the parking lot before "bei der Hell" and at the Horbach spring biotope on the panorama trail up to the ascent of the Richard-Massinger-Weg (extension Wilhelmstraße). On the Richard-Massinger-Weg (blue diamond) to the left turn towards Hannesenklause, after approx. 300 m a right turn following the Schluttenbach (Pfaffenbrunnenweg) up to the radio tower Spessart. Caution when crossing L 613! Through Spessart over the main street, down the Heuweg into the Alb valley (caution: possible car traffic and steep gradient!). In the Alb valley, turn left onto the Graf-Rhena-Weg and follow it to the tennis courts shortly before the Albgau outdoor swimming pool. Here either another 200 m straight on to start/finish, or right over the Alb bridge towards Wattkopf for the second half of the route:
After crossing Pforzheim street (caution!) near the car dealership, uphill on the Vogelsruhweg to the hunting lodge/Fuchsbauweg. After the hunting lodge, turn right on Fuchsbauweg for approx. 50 m, then left directly along the forest edge to the junction Grünwettersbacher Weg and descent to the Vogelsang parking lot. Then over Steigenhohl-, Vogelsang-, Friedrich-, and Schöllbronner street back to the starting point. Recommendation: You deserve a scoop of ice cream!
Sicherheitshinweise
Use of the routes and connecting paths is at your own risk. With the marking, no duty of traffic safety applies for the path owners, the affected municipalities, forestry administrations, and the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park. Cyclists must expect forest-typical dangers and are responsible for accidents and falls themselves. Vehicle traffic and temporary route closures, e.g. due to forest management or hunting activities, must always be expected. Warning signs from the forestry administrations, hunting operation, or other warnings must be strictly observed. Mutual consideration is a matter of honor.
Weitere Informationen
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, and newly from 2020 also for children from 7 years old. Additionally, there are irregular courses on request at the Karlsruhe MTB Club.
