Hiking and Cycling in the Black Forest
Walks, treks and cycle rides in southern Germany
By Kat Morgenstern
Guidebook describing day walks, multi-stage treks and 5 cycle routes covering the north, central and southern regions of Germany's Black Forest. From easy routes for families to multi-day journeys, the walks and rides explore the many forests, villages, castles and hills near Strasbourg, Baden-Baden, Freiburg and Basle.
Seasons
spring and autumn are the best times of the year to visit the Black Forest. But the cool forest glades and lofty hills make summer walking bearable. Some routes are even accessible in winter and make for magical winter wonderland walking
Centres
Freiburg im Breisgau Waldkirch, Hinterzarten, Baden Baden, Baiersbronn, Titisee, Bad Wildbad, Nagold, Calw, Breisach am Rhein
Difficulty
The Black Forest is a medium-height mountain range with the highest peaks around 1500m. Trails are well marked and maintained, so the terrain is not especially difficult in most parts. Good physical condition and ability to cope with sometimes steep ascends is required. Normal walking equipment will suffice
Must See
Feldberg, the highest peak of the Black Forest, Wutachschlucht, the biggest gorge in Germany, the source of the Danube, Black Forest National Park, Kaiserstuhl, the heights of Baden-Baden (Panorama Trail), sections of the Westweg, Titisee and Schluchsee, Zweribach Waterfall, Münstertal, Kinzigtal, Schauinsland (Freiburg), Belchen Long distance routes - Schluchtensteig Zweitälersteig, Seensteig, Südschwarzwald Radweg (Southern Black Forest Bicycle Route)
-
Overview
15 day walks, 3 multi-stage treks and 5 cycle routes are described covering the north, central and southern areas of Germany's Black Forest. The walks and cycle routes are evenly distributed across all three areas and comprise both long distance routes and day walks, although each stage of every long distance walk can also be done as individual day tour. The chosen routes include the main Black Forest destinations, such as Feldberg, Belchen Schauinsland, Hornisgrinde and Mummelsee, as well as Allerheiligen Abbey and waterfalls and the source of the Danube, to name but a few.
Two of the three long-distance routes are certified quality trails: Schluchtensteig (120km), which means gorge trail traverses the Wutachschlucht, one of the last untamed river systems in Germany, and Zweitälersteig (108km) a highly diverse circular route which leads through some of the most beautiful and contrasting parts of the Central Black Forest. Seensteig (71km) partially follows the central ridge of the Black Forest mountain range, offering unsurpassed views along the way.
The cycle routes (4 day rides, and the 242km Southern Black Forest Cycle Route) are mostly easy and scenic, and utilise the extensive and well-maintained bicycle trail system that criss-crosses the entire region. The walks and rides are described in detail and basic maps are provided for orientation.
-
Contents
Contents
Introduction
Geology
History
Plants and wildlife
Getting there
Getting around
Accommodation
Food and drink
When to go
What to take
Dangers and annoyances
Navigation and signage
Cycling
Maps
Etiquette
Using this guide
Southern Black Forest
The walks
Walk 1 Feldbergsteig – Black Forest’s highest peak
Walk 2 Belchen – Sacred mountain of the Celts
Walk 3 High above Münstertal
Walk 4 Panorama trail around Schönberg
Walk 5 In the heart of Margrave’s Land – Wiiwegli and Bettlerpfad
Walk 6 Schluchtensteig
Stage 1 Stühlingen to Blumberg
Stage 2 Blumberg to Schattenmühle
Stage 3 Schattenmühle to Aha
Stage 4 Aha to St Blasien
Stage 5 St Blasien to Todtmoos
Stage 6 Todtmoos to Wehr
The ride
Ride 1 Southern Black Forest Cycle Trail
Stage 1 Hinterzarten to Bonndorf
Stage 2 Bonndorf to Waldshut
Stage 3 Waldshut to Rheinfelden
Stage 4A Rheinfelden to Steinenstadt via Basle
Stage 4B Rheinfelden to Steinenstadt via Kandern
Stage 5 Steinenstadt to Hinterzarten
Central Black Forest
The walks
Walk 7 Kaiserstuhl rim route
Walk 8 Edelfrauengrab and Karlsruher Grat
Walk 9 Above Renchtal
Walk 10 To the source of the Danube
Walk 11 Zweribachfalls and Vosges chapel
Walk 12 Zweitälersteig
Stage 1 Waldkirch to Kandel (or St Peter)
Stage 2 Kandel to Simonswald
Stage 3 Simonswald to Oberprechtal
Stage 4 Oberprechtal to Höhenhäuser
Stage 5 Höhenhäuser to Waldkirch
The rides
Ride 2 Kaiserstuhl Radweg
Ride 3 Kinzigtal Radweg – Alpirsbach to Offenburg
Northern Black Forest
The walks
Walk 13 Romantic circuit above Baden-Baden
Walk 14 Sasbachwalden idyll
Walk 15 Upland moors (Hornisgrinde)
Walk 16 Kaltenbronn Moor
Walk 17 Großes Loch and Teufelsmühle
Walk 18 Seensteig
Stage 1 Baiersbronn to Mitteltal
Stage 2 Mitteltal to Schliffkopf
Stage 3 Schliffkopf to Mummelsee
Stage 4 Mummelsee to Schönmünzach
The rides
Ride 4 Enztal Radweg – Gompelscheuer to Pforzheim
Ride 5 Nagold Radweg – Nagold to Pforzheim
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Glossary of useful terms
Appendix C Further information -
Updates
Receive updates by email
Be notified by email when this book receives an update or correctionWe do not yet have any updates available for this book
We are always grateful to readers for information about any discrepancies between a guidebook and the facts on the ground. If you would like to send some information to us then please use our contact form. They will be published here following review by the author(s).
-
Reviews
We do not yet have any reviews for this book
If you would like to send us a review then please use our contact form. They will be published here shortly.
-
Other eBook Retailers
Google Play
Google Play Books available for Windows, Android, Mac and iOS
Kobo
Kobo eReader devices plus Kobo App available for Windows, Android, Mac and iOS
- Downloads
Kat Morgenstern
As a herbalist and ethnobotanist Kat spends a lot of time walking and exploring, while smelling the herbs and flowers along the way. After spending many years living, studying and working abroad, Kat has found a special place in her heart for the Black Forest region in the southwestern corner of Germany. As a writer and nature mentor she never tires of sharing her knowledge and passion for this delightful and fascinating corner of our beautiful planet.
View Articles and Books by Kat Morgenstern
