Route to Black Forest

[Deleted account Cooperman]

I'm currently planning a trip into the Alps starting with the Black Forest.

Question: Which is the best route into the northern end of the forest from Calais.

Looking on Michellin the quickest route on motorways is via Reims and Metz and will take approx 6 hours. This isn't attractive as I don't just want to sit on motorways.

The alternative is the sightseeing route which is more or less as the crow flies skirting Luxembourg, but a suggested time of over 10 hours

Is the latter realistic in one day, or should I write off the day (both ways) and accept some motorway pain for the gain of getting to the region

 

[bladerunner]

Hi

I would suggest take 2 days.

Make sure you visit Les Vosgues region of France (Gerademer is central town) and ride the "Route des cretes" - you will not be the only biker!! Really excellent biking country, then it's only a quick dip across the river to the Black Forrest.

North of Strasbourg it is difficult to find an interesting route unless you go Dinant area of Belgium and down skirting Luxembourg

 

[teejay]

We always take 2 days, done it twice before and going that way again this year en route to Italy and Dolomites and beyond.

Day 1 from Midlands across channel staying at Campanille in Maubeuge

Day 2 Hirson, Charleville Meziers, Sedan, Thionville, Metz to Nancy (only motorway), Luneville, Sainte Die Des Vosges, Colmar across Rhine and into Black Forrest...............320 miles according to the trusty Garmin, leave at 9am time for coffee stops and lunch, take in the scenery and enjoy the ride.

Only a suggestion to give you an idea.


Teejay

 

[Deleted account rno]

I regularly go to visit family near Karlsruhe (north end of the Black Forest) and the route I take from Calais is via Lille (F), Mons, Charlois, Namur (B) and into Luxembourg crossing into Germany at Remmich and then past Saarbrucken, Pirmasens and Landau. This takes me about 6.5 hours but it's mostly motorway. If I was taking the bike, I'd probably blast the first part into Luxembourg and then take my time on the back roads to get through the Pfalzerwald taking in Johanneskruez and Bad Bergzabern then through part of Alsace and crossing the Rhein into north Schwarzwald. The second part of this route is magical. I'm jealous just thinking about it.

 

[Wapping]

I'm currently planning a trip into the Alps starting with the Black Forest.

Question: Which is the best route into the northern end of the forest from Calais.

Looking on Michellin the quickest route on motorways is via Reims and Metz and will take approx 6 hours. This isn't attractive as I don't just want to sit on motorways.

The alternative is the sightseeing route which is more or less as the crow flies skirting Luxembourg, but a suggested time of over 10 hours

Is the latter realistic in one day, or should I write off the day (both ways) and accept some motorway pain for the gain of getting to the region

OK

You are caught between 6 hours (easy but dull) though the purpose of your holiday is to get to the Alps, the Black forrest being a detour and 10 hours (more scenic, but seems unpopular). So what to do?

Depends on you really. 10 hours is not so bad, depending on when you want to start and finish. There again, that is a non-stop time, so add an hour or two for fuel, having a lash, food etc.

My suggestion:

(a) Work out what the main purpose of your holiday is.

(b) Consider spliting the jorney between a hybrid of motorway and scenic. Who knows it may come out at seven or eight hours. Not too bad, perhaps?

(c) Let's say the hybrid is eight hours.

Leave early.

Suggestion:

Start at 7 am.

Ride for three hours.

10:00. Stop for 30 minutes, coffee, WC, fuel.

10:30. Ride for two hours.

12:30. Stop for fuel, WC, lunch. One hour.

13:30. Ride for three hours.

16:30. There you go. Eight hours driving gone and journey complete.

Even if it's nine hours not eight, it's only 17:30 when you arrive.

Start an hour later at 08:00? Arrive 17:30.

Stop for half an hour extra and leave an hour later? Arrive 18:00.

Stop for an hour extra? Arrive 18:30.

Either or whatever way, it's all perfectly doable in a day. Certainly in a day and half. Two days? Luxury.

 

[Gipsy]

Another vote for taking in the Vosges area of France if you've not been that way before. Col de la Schlucht and Col du Bonhomme are worth doing even if you don't fancy the whole of the Route Des Crete.

 

[Deleted account Cooperman]

Thanks for the responses.

My trip will only be a week and so I don't really want to 'waste' 4 days on the route across France, when the aim is to experience the mountains.

Then again I would like to see some of France, not just the service areas off the motorways.

I think the answer will be an early start and maybe a quick initial motorway blast followed by some senery.

Time to get some maps out

 

[Big Lee]

Maps There`s nothing better than poring over a map to get you in the mood for a road trip

 

[Wapping]

Thanks for the responses.

My trip will only be a week and so I don't really want to 'waste' 4 days on the route across France, when the aim is to experience the mountains.

Then again I would like to see some of France, not just the service areas off the motorways.

I think the answer will be an early start and maybe a quick initial motorway blast followed by some senery.

Time to get some maps out

I think you are starting to answer your own question....

 

[John Armstrong]

Then again I would like to see some of France, not just the service areas off the motorways.

One thought is to use a hotel in a scenic / picturesque town. Miles on the motorway and then touristy bits in the evening. I can usually sell this option to my wife

One option, is to get to Strasbourg (or near to) in one day, then go cross country to Fussen the next, by evening you'll be in the hills and only had one day on the motorway.