Exploring Freiburg by Bike

One of my favorite things about living in Freiburg has been how easy it is to explore by bike. I grew up biking and have always enjoyed road and gravel riding, so having a bike here was an easy choice. While I also take the train quite a bit, my bike has given me a different way to experience Freiburg and the surrounding region, especially the Black Forest.

Getting a Bike in Freiburg

Before coming to Germany, I originally planned to bring my bike from home. However, I quickly learned that flying with a bike can be more complicated than expected. Airline policies for transporting bikes vary quite a bit. Some airlines allow bikes as part of their standard sports baggage allowance, while others charge an additional fee. When comparing flights from the U.S. to Germany, I found that United and Delta had different rules than Lufthansa, which treated my bike as special sports baggage and charged an extra fee.

Shipping my bike was another option, but the quotes I received were even more expensive. In the end, I decided to buy a bike in Freiburg instead. It cost about the same as shipping my bike one way, and I figured I could resell it before returning home and get some of that money back. I ordered one online and picked it up locally, which made the process fairly straightforward. However, it took me about a month to sort everything out, so I would recommend starting earlier if you know you want a bike.

One thing I would do differently is buy a simpler, less expensive bike. I enjoy gravel and road biking, including racing, so I initially wanted something similar to what I ride at home. But for a semester abroad, a more practical bike might make more sense. Freiburg is very easy to navigate by bike, and a less expensive bike gives you more freedom to lock it up around town without worrying as much. You also don't necessarily need a high-end bike to enjoy the surrounding area. Unless you're staying longer, you'll probably only have a couple of months of good riding weather during a fall semester.

Getting Around Freiburg

One thing that stands out about Freiburg is just how many people bike. Students, commuters, and families all use bikes as part of their everyday routines. Cycling feels like a normal part of getting around the city rather than something reserved for recreational riders.

The bike infrastructure makes it easy, too. There are dedicated bike paths throughout the city, clear signs, and marked routes connecting different neighborhoods. I regularly use the FR1, FR2, and FR3 routes, which make it easy to get between student housing and the city center. Once you leave the city, signs point toward nearby towns and cycling routes through the surrounding countryside. You can follow the paths without having to plan every turn in advance.

For me, biking is often the fastest way to get around Freiburg. It's usually quicker than taking the tram, and it avoids having to wait at the tram stop. Whether I'm heading to class, running errands, or just going for a ride, having a bike makes everyday life much easier.

Favorite Rides Around Freiburg

One of the best parts of having a bike here is how quickly you can get out of the city and into the surrounding countryside. The Black Forest is right next to Freiburg, and there are so many different roads and paths to explore.

Illenberg, Horben, and Katzental

One of my favorite shorter rides starts by climbing Illenberg toward Horben. From there, you can enjoy a fun descent through Katzental and Au before heading back toward Vauban. The route has a mix of forest roads, open fields, and great views of the surrounding hills. It's also easy to extend the ride by climbing higher, crossing the valley, and descending along the bike path on Hexentalstraße. I like this route because you can make it as short or as long as you want, and you're surrounded by beautiful scenery without having to travel far from Freiburg.
 

One of my favorite shorter rides starts by climbing Illenberg toward Horben. From there, you can enjoy a fun descent through Katzental and Au before heading back toward Vauban. The route has a mix of forest roads, open fields, and great views of the surrounding hills. It's also easy to extend the ride by climbing higher, crossing the valley, and descending along the bike path on Hexentalstraße. I like this route because you can make it as short or as long as you want, and you're surrounded by beautiful scenery without having to travel far from Freiburg.

Freiburg to Breisach and the Rhine

Another great ride is out toward Breisach and the Rhine River. The route follows the Rhine Canal along a really nice bike path, making for a relatively flat and scenic ride. On the way back, you can take a different route through the Kaiserstuhl, a region known for its vineyards and rolling hills. I really enjoyed being able to see a different part of the region and combine several landscapes into one ride. I don't have a picture from this one, but the Rhine is very pretty, so you will have to go see it for yourself!

Freiburg to Titisee

My longest ride so far was out to Titisee, crossing the Black Forest along the way. At around 100 kilometers (60 miles), it was a much longer ride, but also one of the most memorable. The route takes you through the forest and into the higher elevations of the Black Forest, with plenty of beautiful scenery along the way. It was a great way to see more of the region outside the city and explore places I probably wouldn't have visited otherwise. I plan all my routes using Strava. Another thing worth mentioning is that you can usually take your bike on regional trains for free, and that is a good way to access the surrounding areas while going for a shorter ride. Just make sure to check, because during certain busy times of the day you must pay a small fee to ride the train with a bike.

Why I Recommend Getting a Bike

I still take the tram quite often, especially when I'm traveling farther or don't have time for a longer ride. But having a bike has made a big difference in how I experience Freiburg.

If you're studying abroad here, I would definitely recommend considering getting a bike, even if you don't normally think of yourself as a cyclist. You don't need an expensive road bike or any special equipment to enjoy the paths around the city. A basic bike can make everyday transportation much easier and open up opportunities to explore places that would otherwise take much longer to reach.

For me, one of the best parts of living in Freiburg has been how accessible the Black Forest feels. You can leave the city, ride through the woods and surrounding countryside, and be back home the same afternoon. Having a bike has made it much easier to experience that part of the region, and it's something I'll miss when I leave.