First Impressions Riding the Black Forest: Routes & Riding Experience
The first kilometers through the Black Forest are behind us - and damn, what a way to kick off the season. Our motorcycle trip through Germany’s legendary Schwarzwald started strong: smooth asphalt, dreamlike curves, and scenic views that made us stop more than once just to soak it in. In this post, I’m sharing my first impressions - from standout sections of the iconic B500 to how my gear held up through classic springtime chaos.
Riding the Black Forest: The B500 and L-Roads
There’s no denying it: the B500 is one of the best motorcycle routes in Germany. The stretch between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt offers smooth pavement, wide flowing curves, and constant elevation changes - plus those signature valley views that make you forget how many times you’ve already pulled over to take a picture. Even in spring, don’t be surprised to see patches of snow at higher points. The road is well-maintained and sees plenty of motorcycle traffic, especially on weekends.
Aside from the B500, we also rode several smaller L-roads that connect it to the B462. These are quieter local roads with a bit more character - some tight turns, slightly rougher pavement, and more variety in riding style. They're perfect if you want to stay off the main route but still enjoy solid riding. This mix of scenic sweepers and technical side roads makes the region ideal for a multi-day ride without getting bored or repeating routes.
Route Planning & Navigation: How We Built Our Ride
Our route connected Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt via the legendary B500, then looped back up toward Murgtal using smaller connecting roads. I pieced this together using Google Maps for general research, and Calimoto (available as both app and desktop version) for the final routing.
With Calimoto’s "curvy roads" setting, you can generate routes that stick to twisty, scenic stretches - way off the typical A-to-B highways. It uses intelligent via points to guide you without killing the vibe of the ride, letting you shape the route but still ride it fluidly. One of my favorite features is the Calimeter, which scores routes based on curves, landscape, and feedback from other riders. It gives you a quick read on how “fun” a route will actually be - before you even throw a leg over the saddle.
Another perk: Calimoto lets you explore routes other riders have ridden and shared. So if you’re not in the mood to map everything yourself, you can dive straight into tried-and-tested rides in the area. I personally love building my own routes, but it’s awesome knowing there’s a whole catalog of community-backed trips you can explore in just a few taps.
Riding in Spring: Black Forest Weather Conditions
Spring in the Black Forest is a mixed bag - you get a bit of everything. We started our ride with clear skies and dry roads, which was perfect for easing back into the rhythm of leaning into corners after winter. Temps hovered around 10–12°C in the morning, climbing up to around 17°C midday. But not long after that, the skies turned and we got hit with some serious rain.
Wet roads through shaded forest sections demanded more focus, but open stretches still allowed a comfortable pace. It’s a ride that stays interesting without being extreme - more than enough to get the adrenaline going, without ever feeling overwhelming. It’s also a good reminder that being prepared is half the battle when you’re riding in the shoulder seasons.
First Impressions of My Gear
This trip gave my Rev’It Tornado 4 H2O set a solid first test. The ventilation was spot-on during the early, sunny stretches - especially on the open parts of the B500. When the rain hit, I quickly zipped in the waterproof liner, and it held up great. I stayed completely dry, even through a heavy downpour.
The gear itself feels light and flexible. Even when fully zipped and layered, nothing pinched or pulled, and the protectors stayed in place all day. I switched gloves mid-ride - from ventilated to waterproof Gore-Tex gloves from Bering - and that was absolutely the right call.
I also ran with the SW-Motech Drybag 350, strapped down behind my sissy bar. Everything stayed dry, no shifting, no rattling, and no drama. Just how it should be.
Final Verdict: A Perfect Season Opener
If you’re looking for a strong start to your riding season, the Black Forest delivers. With its mix of fast sweepers, rolling hills, and solid road surfaces, it’s got the right balance of challenge and flow. The B500 alone is worth the trip, but when you add in those quieter L-roads around Murgtal, you’ve got enough variety to fill a few solid days of riding - without retracing your steps.
You don’t need to go overboard with prep, but your gear does need to handle unpredictable weather and wet pavement. That means waterproof, ventilated layers, secure luggage, and boots that grip no matter the conditions.
As far as first rides of the season go, this one hit the mark - exactly the kind of warm-up I want before tackling longer trips and high-mileage adventures later this year.
Want to Ride This Route Yourself?
You can download the full GPX file of our Black Forest loop - including the B500, Murgtal stretch, and scenic L-roads - straight to your navigation app or device.
