The Nürburgring Nordschleife is motorsport folklore. A 13-mile strip of asphalt curling its way through Germany's breathtaking Eifel Mountains, held in esteem as the final word in testing driver ability and car performance. Nicknamed the Green Hell by Jackie Stewart, this hallowed circuit is a mecca for petrolheads the world over.
While most refer to the Nürburgring as one, there are two tracks: the Nordschleife, the original track winding through the forest, and the new GP Track, used for contemporary motorsport events. The two tracks run side by side, often used in tandem for endurance events like the 24 Hours of Nürburgring. But it's the Nordschleife, with its blind crests, tight corners, and minimal run-off, that receives all the glory.
In a remote part of Germany, the Nürburgring is easiest to reach by car. The track is served well by Western Europe with motorways and secondary roads, and it boasts facilities including car parking for 150,000 fans, a large info center, and even an multi-level car park. Notice that traffic diversions and restrictions are the rule on race weekends, so plan in advance.
Few circuits offer the accessability of the Nürburgring, where it is easily possible for anyone to emerge on to the tarmac with their own car or a rented one. There are two main alternatives:
Offered almost daily, these sessions allow occasional drivers to drive the Nordschleife in their own vehicle or a rented one. You pay per lap, but be aware that the track is open to an unlimited number of users at the same time, from experienced enthusiasts to novices. The atmosphere is relaxed, but some sections, like the Döttinger Höhe Straight, are not necessarily open in full.
For an even more intense experience, track days have low numbers of attendees, dedicated safety briefings, and faster performance vehicles. They happen approximately 20 times per year and provide the ability to drive the track at its most uncluttered, with fellow like-minded enthusiasts and significantly less traffic.
The Nordschleife's unconventional layout offers a combination of fast, sweeping sections and brutally technical corners, all set among the greens. Blind crests, abrupt changes in elevation, and narrow tolerances for error keep the drivers alert. Add unpredictable weather into the mix, and you have a track that's as thrilling as it is punishing. Whether you're conquering the infamous Karussell or racing down Fuchsröhre, every lap is a ride.
Nürburgring driving is not just driving a circuit - it's tradition. With racing pros wanting to extract every last drop of performance to Saturday morning heroes achieving their dream, the Green Hell offers a challenge that differs from all others. If you choose a leisurely Touristenfahrten lap or a full-on track day, here's what you can be certain of: one lap is never enough.