1818 mots | Temps de lecture : 9 minute(s)
The Nürburgring Nordschleife: "The Green Hell," the ultimate temple of motorcycling
Summary
- An Asphalt Ribbon in the Heart of the Eifel
- “Grüne Hölle”: The Birth of a Nickname
- Motorcycles and the Green Hell: The German Grand Prix
- Too Dangerous for Modern Grand Prix
- Touristenfahrten: The Hell Open to All
- An Absolute Temple for Motorcyclists
- Summary Table
- FAQ
An Asphalt Ribbon in the Heart of the Eifel
It's the mid-1920s, in the Eifel massif, a mountainous and humid region in western Germany. Around the village and medieval castle of Nürburg, a circuit is planned in the wooded hills, both to promote the German automotive industry and to provide work to a poor region. Construction, entrusted to architect Gustav Eichler, began in September 1925 and was completed in the spring of 1927.
The inauguration took place on June 18, 1927, and — a detail every biker savors — motorcycles and sidecars opened the show, one day before cars. The Nürburgring's first victory went to Toni Ulmen, on an English 350cc Velocette. Originally, the complex formed the 28.265 km Gesamtstrecke, combining the Nordschleife (22.810 km) and the Südschleife (7.747 km) connected by the start-finish line. This oversized configuration was only used in racing until 1931, as it was too difficult to manage. For fans of extraordinary tracks, this circuit resonates with other legendary monsters we've described, such as the Isle of Man Tourist Trophy or the Guia Circuit in Macau.
“Grüne Hölle”: The Birth of a Nickname
In its current configuration, the Nordschleife — the "North Loop" — spans 20.832 km of asphalt through the forest. It is credited with over 150 changes of direction (73 officially named corners), and especially an elevation change of over 300 meters between its lowest and highest points. The track dips, climbs, disappears blindly over bumps, with corner names that have become legendary: Flugplatz, Bergwerk, Karussell, Brünnchen, or the interminable Döttinger Höhe.
The nickname that stuck to the circuit came from the mouth of a champion. In 1968, Scottish driver Jackie Stewart won the German Formula 1 Grand Prix in torrential rain and dense fog, more than four minutes ahead. Exhausted by this battle against the elements in a hell of trees and invisible asphalt, he christened the place "The Green Hell" — the Grüne Hölle, the Green Hell. The name stuck, summarizing this unique blend of forest beauty and constant danger. It is this legendary dimension that places the Nordschleife in the pantheon of tracks, alongside the most iconic MotoGP circuits.
🏍️ Hang the Green Hell on your wall with a print that captures this ribbon of asphalt lost in the forest: discover our motorcycle posters and prints.
A visually spectacular circuit-temple (forest, asphalt ribbon): the iconic track poster is the natural decorative extension of the subject.
Motorcycles and the Green Hell: The German Grand Prix
While the Nürburgring is most famous for its glory days in Formula 1, it was also a land of motorcycle Grand Prix. The German Motorcycle Grand Prix made many stops there, with some of the two-wheeled events taking place on the 7.747 km Südschleife, considered a little less frightening than the main loop. The giants of the era wrote great chapters there, starting with the immense Giacomo Agostini, as well as Mike Hailwood and John Surtees.
But motorcycle riders, more exposed than anyone, quickly sounded the alarm. As early as 1974, the event was boycotted by title contenders: the track had not been sufficiently protected by hay bales, the only meager defense against trees and embankments. The contradiction was unsolvable: motorcyclists demanded clear run-off areas, while cars demanded guardrails and fences. The German Motorcycle Grand Prix was held for the last time on the old Nürburgring from August 22-24, 1980, before permanently moving to Hockenheim. The die was cast.
Too Dangerous for Modern Grand Prix
The deadly reputation of the Green Hell is no exaggerated legend. With its more than 20 km, it was simply impossible to secure the entire track: marshal posts too far apart, rescue services sometimes minutes away, blind corners bordered by forest. The turning point for cars came on August 1, 1976, when Niki Lauda suffered a terrible accident, his Ferrari bursting into flames near Bergwerk. Seriously burned, the Austrian barely survived.
The verdict came down: Formula 1 would never return to the old loop, the German Grand Prix being transferred to Hockenheim in 1977. To continue hosting international motorsport, a brand new modern and safe circuit, the approximately 5.1 km GP-Strecke, was built in the early 1980s and inaugurated in 1984, on the site of the old start-finish line and the destroyed Südschleife. This impossible quest for zero risk is reminiscent of other extreme arenas we have explored, such as the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb or the Erzbergrodeo.
Touristenfahrten: The Hell Open to All
Here is the detail that makes the Nürburgring absolutely unique in the world: since its opening, the Nordschleife is not just a competition circuit, it is also a toll road open to the public. These sessions, the famous Touristenfahrten (literally "tourist drives"), allow anyone to come and tackle a lap of the myth with their own vehicle. The principle is simple: you buy a ticket, you pass the barrier, and you face the Green Hell. In 2026, the price is around €30 per lap from Monday to Thursday and €35 on weekends, with season tickets costing several thousand euros for enthusiasts.
However, motorcyclists beware: the situation has changed. Since February 2025, two-wheelers are no longer admitted during classic public Touristenfahrten sessions, with the circuit citing the danger of mixing cars and motorcycles and their too different dynamics. Motorcycles can still ride on the Nordschleife, but only during guided sessions, in very limited numbers. Riding the Green Hell on a motorcycle therefore remains an accessible dream, but now more restricted.
An Absolute Temple for Motorcyclists
Whether ridden with a helmet on or simply admired from the embankments, the Nürburgring Nordschleife holds a special place in the imagination of enthusiasts. It is a place of pilgrimage, just like Assen's "Cathedral": people come here to test themselves against history, to feel under their wheels the asphalt that has seen the greatest pass by. The manufacturers themselves have made it their full-scale test bench: a good part of modern sports cars and roadsters, starting with BMW Motorrad, are developed and timed there.
For that is where the magic of the Green Hell lies: it is not just a circuit, it is a personal challenge, a school of humility where every blind corner reminds the rider of their own fragility. Few tracks in the world inspire as much respect mixed with fear. The Grüne Hölle remains, a century after its birth, the ultimate arbiter of talent and courage.
🏁 Bring the legend home with a replica of your favorite machine: browse our collection of miniature motorcycles.
Summary Table
| Characteristic | Detail |
|---|---|
| Location | Nürburg, Eifel massif (Germany) |
| Inauguration | June 18, 1927 (motorcycles and sidecars first) |
| Architect | Gustav Eichler |
| Length (current Nordschleife) | 20.832 km |
| Corners | More than 150 changes of direction (73 named) |
| Elevation change | More than 300 meters |
| Nickname | “Grüne Hölle” / Green Hell (Jackie Stewart, 1968) |
| Last motorcycle GP | August 22-24, 1980 |
| F1 departure | After Niki Lauda's accident (1976) |
| Modern GP-Strecke | Inaugurated in 1984 (≈ 5.1 km) |
| Touristenfahrten | ≈ €30 per lap; motorcycles prohibited in public sessions since February 2025 |
FAQ — Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Nürburgring Nordschleife nicknamed "the Green Hell"?
The nickname "Grüne Hölle" (Green Hell) was popularized by Scottish driver Jackie Stewart after his victory at the 1968 German F1 Grand Prix, held in torrential rain and thick fog. It summarizes the mix of lush forest and extreme danger of the track.
What is the exact length of the Nordschleife?
The current North Loop measures 20.832 km. Originally, it was 22.810 km and combined with the Südschleife (7.747 km) to form a Gesamtstrecke of 28.265 km, used in racing until 1931.
Were there motorcycle Grand Prix at the Nürburgring?
Yes. The German Motorcycle Grand Prix was held there several times, often on the Südschleife. The last edition on the old Nürburgring took place from August 22-24, 1980, before a permanent transfer to Hockenheim.
Why was the circuit excluded from modern Grand Prix?
Due to its danger: its more than 20 km were impossible to secure properly. Niki Lauda's accident in 1976 sealed the fate of F1, which was transferred to Hockenheim in 1977, and motorcycles followed in 1980.
Can you still ride a motorcycle on the Nürburgring?
Yes, but in a restricted way. Since February 2025, motorcycles are no longer allowed during public Touristenfahrten sessions and can only ride the Nordschleife during guided sessions, in very limited numbers.
