Satellite map of Kniebis Pass

Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg · Germany

Kniebis Pass

B28Oppenau to Freudenstadt

Distance19.2 mi31 km
Drive time42 minon the road
DifficultyModeratetightness 7 of 10
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The B28's climb over the Kniebis links Oppenau in the Rench valley with Freudenstadt across the northern Black Forest crest, a beech-and-fir mountain road that pairs the tight serpentines of the Griesbacher Steige above Bad Griesbach with open plateau running up top.

From Oppenau the B28 runs up the Rench valley through Bad Peterstal-Griesbach, then attacks the crest as the Griesbacher Steige, a sequence of genuinely tight, low-visibility hairpins above Bad Griesbach that gain several hundred metres to the Kniebis village and the Alexanderschanze junction, where it meets the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse. From there it eases into faster, sweeping bends across the wooded plateau down into Freudenstadt. It is one of the older excursion roads in the region, busy at weekends with cars and motorcycles, and the Griesbach climb in particular rewards smooth, patient driving. Mind the very tight blind hairpins on the Griesbacher Steige, frequent oncoming bikes cutting the line, and damp shaded sections that stay greasy after rain.

Scenery

ForestMountainValley

Best seasons

SpringSummerAutumn

In these collections

Where it runs19.2 mi · point to point

OppenauStart · Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg
FreudenstadtEnd · Black Forest, Baden-Württemberg

Character

Corners40bends
Tightness7of 10
Max gradient10%≈ 1-in-10
Hairpins7tight bends
Climb792 mtotal ascent
Summit969.4 mhighest point of the line · 3,180 ft

The most hairpins in Germany, by our count in the catalogue.

Corners

busiest around mile 9
51014 mi

Elevation

under 4%4–8%over 8%273.3 – 969.4 m
summit · 969.4 m 400600800 m 01019 mi

From the road

Points of interest2 stops

  • AlexanderschanzeViewpoint
    12 mi in
  • Gedenkstein Matthias ErzbergerLandmark
    8.4 mi in

Hazards

  • Tight blind hairpins on the Griesbacher Steige
  • Oncoming motorcycles cutting the apex
  • Greasy shaded tarmac after rain

Sources

Verified route: mapped from real road geometry and fact-checked by a human editor. How roads get checked

Driving the Kniebis Pass: quick answers

How long does it take to drive the Kniebis Pass?
Kniebis Pass runs 19.2 miles (31 km) and takes about 42 min to drive without stops.
How difficult is the Kniebis Pass to drive?
We rate it moderate: 40 corners including 7 hairpins, a maximum gradient of 10%, and a tightness of 7 out of 10.
When is the best time to drive the Kniebis Pass?
Spring and Summer and Autumn are best.

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