The Turmberg is Karlsruhe's local mountain. With a height of 257 metres, it is not too high - especially compared to the climbs in the northern Black Forest, which are easily accessible from Karlsruhe. However, the climb is well suited for maximum exertion in a short time, which is reflected in the popularity of the hill climb. The Turmberg race in Karlsruhe-Durlach can look back on 25 successful editions and gave the segment its name. The race began as a comparison of performance between friends - today it is firmly anchored in the Karlsruhe cycling scene. The climb starts in the Durlach district and leads very irregularly to the viewing platform and Turmberg ruins. The gradient briefly reaches up to 13 per cent - the average is around 6.8 per cent. The route records show that you can still fly up the mountain at an average speed of 28 km/h. At Turmberg, there is also the option to record your time with a stamp card: the Turmbergomat is a timing system that has been in place since 2017 and is managed by the Karlsruhe Lemmingen. The Strava KOM is held by Martin Maertens for the men and Julia Langeder for the women, who set the record during the 2026 Turmberg race.
Tower mountain
- 48,091 attempts by 5,648 people
- Length: 1.70 km
- Altitude metres: 111 m
- Gradient: 6.80%
- KOM time: 3:41
- KOM speed: 27.7 km/h
Tower mountain race
The Tower mountain race is a traditional event organised by the Karlsruher Lemminge e.V. sports club. It offers a race for both runners and racing cyclists. On the day of the event, there is music and catering on Durlach's local mountain. In view of the manageable length of the climb, the aim is to maximise the effort in a short time. In 2026, the fastest man won the cycling race in 3:50.59 minutes, travelling at 28.10 km/h up the Turmberg. A new course record of 4:39.58 minutes was set in the women's final.
The list of the top 10 climbs in Germany:
- The Schäftlarn | Strava Ride Segment in Schäftlarn, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/662922
- Hohemark - Great Feldberg Climb | Strava Ride Segment in Oberursel, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/1300995
- Beigarten climb | Strava Ride segment in Egling, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/662923
- Grundstraße | Strava Ride Segment in Loschwitz, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/5952944
- White Stone | Strava Ride Segment in Dossenheim, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/14845948
- Schauinsland | Strava Ride Segment in Horben, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/39805292
- Brocken | Strava Ride Segment in Wernigerode, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/1302369
- Petersberg 1 Climb | Strava Ride Segment in Königswinter, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/752098
- Turmberg | Strava Ride Segment in Durlach, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/6590373
- Königstuhl | Strava Ride Segment in Neckargemünd, Germany https://www.strava.com/segments/4317932
Note: The Hohe Acht at the Nürburgring was not included as the climb is not accessible all year round
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Kristian Bauer
Editor
