Hiking in the Black Forest
The Black Forest
The Black Forest is Germany's highest and largest contiguous low mountain range and is located in the southwest of Baden-Württemberg. It is the most important tourism region in the state and the most visited holiday destination among the German low mountain ranges.
The Black Forest stretches mostly densely forested from the High Rhine in the south to the Kraichgau in the north. In the west it is bordered by the Upper Rhine Plain (which naturally also includes the foothill chain), in the east it merges into Gäu, Baar and the hilly region west of the Klettgau.
From north to south, the Black Forest stretches over about 150 km, its width reaches up to 50 km in the south and up to 30 km in the north.Tectonically, the mountains form a block of rock that stands out impressively from the Upper Rhine Graben in the west, while when viewed from the east it gives the impression of a wooded plateau.The valleys of the Black Forest are usually narrow, often gorge-like, and more rarely basin-shaped. The peaks are rounded, but there are also remains of plateaus and ridge-like shapes.
With 1493m. The Feldberg is the highest mountain peak in the southern Black Forest. The Herzogenhorn (1415.6m) is also located there.) and the Belchen (1414.2m.) In general, the mountains of the southern or upper Black Forest are higher than those of the northern Black Forest. The highest Black Forest mountain north of the Freiburg–Höllental–Neustadt line is the Kandel (1241.3m.) As is the highest point in the northern Black Forest, the Hornisgrinde (1164.4 m.), or the southern Black Forest panoramic mountains Schauinsland (1283.9m.) and Blue (1165.4m.), it lies close to the western edge of the mountains.
The Black Forest is an excellent area for hiking tours. In this article we have listed the 10 most beautiful routes for you.
1-Acorn Peak (Across the Geopath)
The route begins at the train station in Eichstetten. We head along the main street to the church, here turn left across the churchyard and then on the old path to the west. We cross almost the entire length of the town and reach the start of the geopath at the seed garden.
On the right side you can soon see the loess tunnel - the fine-grained loess is the top layer in the geological structure of the Kaiserstuhl. With a few changes of direction we soon reach the Rusental, turn right twice, pass a geological outcrop and, after a short stretch of asphalt, reach the small Karl-Otto-Hütte. A little later the path leads left into the forest, which in this area is characterized by terraced slopes.
A little later we leave the forest and hike again through Rebflur to the signpost Überm Pfaffental, where the climb to the Eichelspitze begins. At the Rütte intersection we keep left and climb uphill along a simple forest path. At the Tannenlochhütte we turn sharp right and go up to the Robert-Meier-Hütte. Hikers in good physical condition can extend the tour from here with a tour of the Badberg. The geopath continues southwards over the flatter variant, passes a former forest corridor from the hurricane "Lothar" and finally leads in an arc, finally a little steeper, to the summit plateau of the Eichelspitze. The climb to the viewing platform, which is 28m above the ground, is a must, but in strong winds you also need strong nerves on the swaying tower. Otherwise, the forest summit unfortunately offers no view.
We take the slightly steeper western variant back to the Robert Meier Hut and follow the familiar path to the Tannenloch Hut. The next intermediate destinations are the Spitzehalde and Endhahlen signposts. Again we move from the forest into the vineyards and can enjoy the leisurely return journey on the gently sloping downward passages. At the Kreuzweg we turn left, past the Lerchenberg into the Degental and further into Längental. A wide arc finally takes us past the cemetery back to the center of town and along the well-known route from the beginning to the Eichstetten train station.
2-To Bärental (Over the Zweiseeblick)
We start our hike at Aha train station and walk a bit along the street towards Äule. To the right, past the kiosk, we now follow the Lachenrüttenweg, past the Schluchseeblick to the Farnwitte.
When we arrive at the Farnwitte, we now follow the Zweiseenblickweg until we reach the highest point. From this idyllic point we can see the two Black Forest lakes Titisee and Schluchsee far below us. Following the red diamond of the Westweg, we hike along the Hochkopfweg towards Feldberg-Seebuck. We come to the Hochkopfhütte on a magical path that leads past the Zweiseenblick Moor, one of the highest raised moors in the Black Forest. From here we hike a short but very panoramic stretch to the Caritashaus. At this point we are spoiled for choice, as bus line 7300 runs to Bärental, from where we can comfortably take the train to the starting point. For the persistent hikers among us, after crossing the B317, we head on the E.-Maurer-Weg and the Seestrasse down to Feldsee. Once we reach the bottom, we are surrounded by a wonderful silence, only broken by the chirping of birds. The next stop is waiting around the corner.
After a refreshing stop, we continue parallel to the Seebach towards Bärental. First you go through a shady forest. As soon as the forest clears, we have a beautiful view of the valley. Past the Kunzenmoos hiking car park, we continue a short distance up to Bärental train station.
3- Harmersbacher Vesperweg
The tour starts at the Tourist Information Oberharmersbach. From here the path leads along the Reichstalpfad towards Riersbach train station. At the first opportunity we turn right and follow the signs to Danise's farm shop.
We continue to one of the many highlights along the way. Various seating options have been incorporated into a 30 meter long tree trunk so that not only the view of the valley can be enjoyed, but also the first refreshment.
Shortly before we dive into the forest at the Grabenjörgle, we enjoy a rest and the wonderful distant view at the “Schmusehisli”. From here it is not far to the Kreuzsattelhütte, which is managed by the Oberwolfach Black Forest Association on Sundays and public holidays from May to October. The large playground with barbecue area was created in collaboration between the Black Forest Association and the municipality of Oberwolfach.
Our route meets the “Westweg” long-distance hiking trail here, which we follow towards Harkhof (closed on Monday). In the Vesperstube of the same name, the innkeepers serve home-made specialties. After a long break, we head downhill to Riersbach on the mountain ridge above the Holzhack and Mißlinkehof. Another rest is possible on a special Hollywood swing. We walk across Brugasse to Oberharmersbach-Riersbach train station. The Gasthaus Posthörnle (closed on Wednesday) and the beer garden of the Adventure Mini Golf Park are ideal for a nice end to the day.
4-From Turner to St-Märgen
We first get on bus number 7216 and travel from St. Märgen on the Thurner. We get out at the stop before the junction to federal highway 500, cross the country road and walk a short distance to the information board. Before we continue on the Way of St. James, we take a short detour to the Wolfgang Chapel. We walk from the parking lot to the right and in approx. 150 m the chapel.
From the Wolfgangskapelle we go back to the parking lot. The route continues on the marked hiking trail to the “Süßes Häusle” signpost. We cross the B 500 and come to Hohlen Graben. A magnificent landscape opens up here on the western slope of the Black Forest. The view wanders over the monastery villages of St. Märgen and St. Peter into the Dreisamtal to the Breisgau Bay with Freiburg, across to the Rhine Valley and, with good visibility, to the Vosges. Now we continue from the Hohlen Graben location, a wildly romantic meadow path along the edge of the forest near country road 128. We reach the Sonne Neuhäusle inn via idyllic paths and through short patches of forest. Immediately next to it is a small, pretty chapel, which houses an altar by Matthias Faller as a gem.
From Neuhäusle we hike after a short climb to Geigerhöhe. Along the path we can discover old boundary stones that mark an area that was formerly part of the monastery of St. Peter belonged. Now the path leads us down to the former Steinbach-Hirschen inn. After we have crossed the country road, we enter the Pfisterwald area. At this point the Way of St. James reaches the center of St. Märgen with its beautiful baroque monastery church with the high medieval miraculous image as the centerpiece.
Another detour west takes us to the Ohmen Chapel. The name Ohmen is of Celtic origin. The Celts settled in the valleys, but built their places of worship on hills and mountain peaks.Our beautiful panoramic hike ends with our return to town.
5- Ettenheimer Nature Adventure Trail
From the “Auf der Espen” car park, which is just a few minutes’ walk from the baroque old town, our nature adventure trail first leads through the residential area “Quartier am Ettenbach” to the nature trail in Filmersbach. Continue on the grass path to the Wallburg district, cross the main street and walk along the Seltenbach. A short asphalt stretch and meadow paths take you to the Bergeneck viewpoint and you will be rewarded with a beautiful view of the Rhine plain. We walk along the edge of the forest to the Peace Chapel. Itwas built to commemorate the returnees from World War II. Built from mighty sandstone blocks during the Second World War, it is a place of peace that invites hikers and walkers to stop by.
From there it goes past the Brudergartenhütte to the “Deutsches Eck” and on natural forest paths above the villages to the wine village of Münchweier and to Ettenheimmünster. The forest is abandoned here. After about 1.5 kilometers you reach the parking lot in the Dörlinbacher Grund nature reserve - a picturesque meadow valley along an untouched stream with a very high level of biodiversity. The climb continues with a 600 meter long, wonderful path through the forest, the so-called “Hutpfad”. The road is crossed at the “Schönheidebrünnle”, then the path goes along narrow stream paths along the “Münstergraben” back to the “Glasbach Hütte” playground on the edge of the forest.
At the edge of the forest oabove Ettenheimmünster, the path finally runs along meadow and forest paths past the “Ofenberg” natural forest reserve.This banned forest is left completely to its own and therefore offers areas of retreat for endangered animals, plants and < span data-contrast="auto">Species of mushrooms. Rare beetles, birds and fire salamanders still live here. Signposts at the “Speckacker” forest car park provide valuable information. We continue above Münchweier to the Fohrenberg viewpoint, where you can enjoy a wonderful view of the Rhine plain and Alsace. The last stage of our nature adventure trail leads past vineyards downhill to the Annakapelle and finally along a narrow path along the Ettenbach back to the starting point.
6- Wieden - Knöpflesbrunnen
The start of the hike is in the center of Wieden. The signposted hiking trail first takes us through the village and then steeply up towards Wiedener Eck. The path climbs through a small side valley past an old farmhouse until after half an hour you reach the Wiedener Eck with the mountain hotel of the same name.
At the Berghotel we come across the Westweg Basel – Pforzheim, which we now follow for a while in the direction of Notschrei. A short distance through the forest and you will reach the farmhouses of Jetzenwald. Here the path climbs sharply again through alpine meadows, with the wonderful panorama all the way to the Vosges making up for the effort. Above the Hörnle, the west path leads us into the forest. At the next crossroads “Auf den Boden” there is a hut where you can take a break, as you have already reached the highest point of the hike.
On a forest path we follow the yellow diamond at the foot of the Trubelmattkopf to Wasserbüttenen. Here we turn south onto the blue diamond, which leads on a wide gravel path towards Knöpflesbrunnen. At an intersection where we turn left to Muggenbrunn, we leave the forest path straight ahead to take a shortcut on a narrow path towards “Auf der Schanz”. A small, simple hut and a nice rest area invite you to take a break.
We then hike on the ridge to Dachsrain and then on a long forest path until we reach the alpine meadows of Knöpflesbrunnen. A large rest area on the edge of the forest with several barbecue areas invites you to grill sausages. A short detour, which you definitely shouldn't miss, leads up to the Tannenharzfelsen.
Just a few meters from the rest area, below the summit, is the Almgaststätte Knöpflesbrunnen. From there we hike back down towards Wieden. First we go through the forest, then we reach the first farmhouses. Now we walk a bit along a narrow road down to the main road in the valley, which we cross. A short climb takes us up a side road to our starting point.
7-Through the Bannwald to the Zweribach waterfall
We start our tour to the waterfalls at the Hotel Hirschen and follow the path across the promising country field. Passing the well-known Rankmühle, we soon reach the closed forest area of the Gutacherhalde. At the "Bannwald Zweribach" location we leave the wide forest path and walk down the forest on a narrow path to the right, past the panoramic Hohwartsfelsen to the Hirschbach Falls. Coming out of the forest we reach a rest area with a shelter at the former “Brunehof”.
We now head uphill on a narrow path to the Zweribach waterfalls. We don't cross the bridge between the lower and upper waterfalls, but instead follow the path up to the left. This path flows into a wide forest road at the "Stockbühl" location, which we then follow to the left. Through a closed forest area you will soon reach the Gschwanderdobelhütte and the “Hirschmatte” location. From there we follow the ravine further up to the right until we emerge from the forest at the "Red Cross". As we continue to the Kapfen Chapel we enjoy a wonderful view of St. Peter and a little later also on St. Margen The path, which is rightly called the panoramic path, soon leads us back to St. Märgen back.
8-Zum Obersimonswald
From the hiking car park, follow the forest road. After approx. After 300 m a forest road turns right. The Zweribach waterfalls are signposted. You are now in the Zweribach forest area. Plants and animals are on this approx. 100 hectare area absolutely protected. The climb to the slab takes approx. two hours. You will reach a small road at the top. Follow this and after approx. 1 km from Lake Balaton and therefore also the restaurant “Zur Platte”. We continue on this small street to “Potsdamer Platz”, a hiking car park after approx. 1 km, turn left here towards St. Märgen / Gschwanderdobel. Follow the signs towards St. Märgen / Vosges chapel.
You hike along the edge of the forest on the ridge towards St. Märgen and are rewarded by a unique panoramic view towards the Vosges / Rhine plain. The hiking trail meets a small road at the “Rankmühle”. Turn left and follow this. After approx. After 1 km at the last farm the tarred road ends and a forest path follows. Follow this and after approx. After 1.5 hours you will be back at the starting point.
9- From Menzenschwand to Äulemer Kreuz
The starting point of our hike is the Rehbachskillift in Menzenschwand. We walk towards the tennis courts and turn left at the Menzenburg, cross the Alb, then the local road and follow the meadow path until we reach the first houses in the Vorderdorf. We turn right, steeply uphill and reach the underpass of the bypass. Following the blue diamond we reach the Schlupf hut, follow the marked path for approx. 600 m and then turn left towards Rosshütte and Äulemer Kreuz. After we have crossed the country road, we head towards Feldberg - still on the marked path. At the Farnwitte we have a wonderful view of the Feldberg summit, turn left and follow the Schützenwaldweg back towards Menzenschwand.
10- To the Gutach and Brigach source
The starting point is the Escheck car park on the street side opposite the inns. Follow the “blue diamond” signpost in the direction of “Schaiben”, “Stöcklewaldturm”. After just under a kilometer past the Fohrenbühl you will reach the memorial plaque to the candelabra spruce, which stood here just a few years ago.
After a final climb along the middle path (red diamond with white bar) you reach the Stöcklewald tower, from where you have a wonderful view over the treetops to the Feldberg and the Swiss Alps.
Stay on the middle path until you reach the “Kesselberg” location. On the way you come to the so-called "Gallows", a place of execution of the former Triberg rule. At the road junction K5728/L175, after crossing the L175, continue over the Kesselberg in the direction of "St. Georgen - Long Gasse" along the edge of the forest to the Hirzwald Inn. After crossing the L175 again, the path continues towards the Brigachquelle down to the Hirzbauernhof, where the second headwater of the Danube, the Brigach, rises. There you have the so-called Three gods stone of Celtic origin found.
Back at the Hirzwald inn, use the path with the yellow diamond towards “Grieshaberbauer”. The designated "Heidenstein" is another name for the Celtic stones that are common in the holiday region (see. Shell stone hike). The hiking tour continues through the forest over the “Grieshaberbauer” to the “Grieshaberhöhe”. After 200 m along the district road K5727 we follow the blue diamond on the right on a narrow path towards Nußhurt, but before that we keep left following the yellow diamond towards "Prisen". Then follow the Prisenstrasse with a wonderful view up to the district road K5728. Past the hiking car park after approx. 500 m turn right to the Hubertus Chapel. The Gutachquelle is located in this wetland.
From the Hubertus Chapel it goes via the locations "Herrenwälderweg", "Baslertal" and "Schaiben" back to the starting point in the "Escheck" area.
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