CONTENTS
Overview map
Introduction
The Westweg
Geology
History
Plants and wildlife
Bannwald
Walking the Westweg
Getting there
Getting around
Walking without luggage
Where to stay
First and last nights
Food and drink
Dangers and annoyances
When to go
Equipment
Maps, navigation and GPS
Trail etiquette
Language
Telecommunications
Health and insurance
Money matters
Tourist information
Using this guide
Pforzheim to Hausach
Stage 1 Pforzheim to Dobel
Stage 2 Dobel to Forbach
Stage 3 Forbach to Unterstmatt
Stage 4 Unterstmatt to Alexanderschanze
Stage 5 Alexanderschanze to Hark
Stage 6 Hark to Hausach
Hausach to Titisee
Stage 7 Hausach to Wilhelmshöhe
Stage 8 Wilhelmshöhe to Kalte Herberge
Stage 9 Kalte Herberge to Titisee
Western route: Titisee to Basel
Stage 10A Titisee to Notschrei
Stage 11A Notschrei to Haldenhof
Stage 12A Haldenhof to Kandern
Stage 13A Kandern to Basel
Eastern route: Titisee to Basel
Stage 10B Titisee to Feldbergpass
Stage 11B Feldbergpass to Weißenbachsattel
Stage 12B Weißenbachsattel to Hasel
Stage 13B Hasel to Degerfelden
Stage 14B Degerfelden to Basel
Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Further information
Appendix D German–English glossary
Maps, navigation and GPS
Maps
The most useful map for the Westweg is the Leporello map, at a scale of 1:50.000. Leporello maps are a bit odd in that they tack each bit of the way below the previous section, showing just a little bit of what lies east or west of the route, and the whole thing unfolding like an accordion. The scale is a bit small, but it still shows a surprising amount of detail as well as providing additional information, such as a brief route description (in German), hotels en route, places to eat, local tourist offices, museums and bus stops. The map is laminated, which makes it waterproof and tear resistant. It is available from the Black Forest Tourist Board (see Appendix C for contact details).
Kompass also publishes a map specifically for the Westweg. Like the Leporello map it uses a scale of 1:50.000, is laminated and provides some helpful additional information.
A bit more expensive is the Schwarzwaldverein map set for the Black Forest, consisting of five maps (Freizeitkarte 501, 502, 503, 506, 508) and a planning brochure that gives some additional information about the route and accommodation options. The Schwarzwaldverein maps are not laminated and are thus more vulnerable to wear and tear. The scale is also 1:50.000.
The Schwarzwaldverein also publishes maps at a scale of 1:35.000, but given the mostly excellent waymarking all along the route, such detailed maps are not really needed.
The Kompass and Leporello maps are available on Amazon, and walking maps are also available at bookshops, tourist offices and often newsagents in the region. The Schwarzwaldverein Westweg map set is available from their online shop: www.swvstore.de
In order to comply with the criteria stipulated to certify as a ‘quality hiking trail’, Westweg was rerouted in 2012. Maps printed prior to 2012 – and even some that were printed in 2013 – do not reflect these changes (which are mostly minor but could lead to confusion).
Navigation and signage
About a decade ago the Black Forest trail system underwent an extensive reform. Previously, markers of every shape, size and colour proliferated on every other tree. The trail system has since been condensed and simplified. Now there are basically three distinct types of markers, almost all of which take the form of a diamond. (But just to confuse matters, some local areas have hung onto their old signs and routes, which may not coincide with the new system.)
The Westweg marker is a solid red diamond on a white background, which is also the logo of the Schwarzwaldverein. (Note that the Mittelweg trail symbol is a red diamond with a white line through its centre.) Despite the fact that Westweg is extremely well marked and generally quite easy to follow, there are still a few spots where the marking is ambiguous, missing or counterintuitive. The trail may amble along on a broad forestry track, when suddenly a half-hidden marker may point to a tiny little trail that heads off through the bushes. Or, there are spots where the route splits into a couple of variants, offering walkers a choice. The present book describes all the official variants that were marked at the time of writing, but these things can change – another reason why it is important to carry a current map.
A typical hiking signpost on Westweg
Local trails are marked with a yellow diamond on a white background, while blue markers indicate regional routes. Long-distance routes have their own symbols, often composed of two different colours or a solid background with a logo in the centre. Trails often converge for a while before going off on their own again. Signposts are placed at important intersections, often holding many blades pointing in different directions. One blade at each signpost will usually show the name of the current location and its elevation. If there is more than one signpost in a given town or location, the name will follow the format ‘name of town’/’specific location’ – eg Pforzheim/Kupferhammer. If you use a Schwarzwaldverein map these names are shown next to the little yellow flags that mark the signposts.
The little symbols next to the various destinations indicate what you might find at a given location – eg bus stop is a green ‘H’ in a yellow circle; a train symbol indicates a train station, the star or half-star a viewpoint. From one signpost to the next only the markers guide the way. Watch out for these little plaques or stickers! Some (fortunately not many) may have become overgrown, paled to obscurity or been placed in patently stupid places where nobody would ever think to look. Sometimes you have to chance walking down a trail for a few metres before spotting the plaque. Sometimes looking back might provide that reassuring clue, as the marker may have been placed more obviously for people coming the other way. As a general rule, keep your direction unless a marker points you to another trail.
Be aware that sections of the trail may occasionally be closed due to tree felling (especially in the autumn) or trail clearing after a storm. In such cases there is usually a banner barring passage, or a sign that reads something like ACHTUNG WALDARBEITEN and LEBENSGEFAHR (‘Attention forestry works’ and ‘Danger to life’). On major trail routes such as the Westweg, a diversion is usually signposted – although in rare cases it may not be! A map will come in handy to figure out an alternative route.
GPS navigation
GPS navigation systems seem to have become the norm. While they can be helpful in pinpointing your current location, it is difficult to get ‘the big picture’ on such a tiny screen – if you can see anything at all with the sunlight glare, that is. However, it is not a good idea to rely exclusively on such electronic devices, as signal coverage is not 100 per cent. GPX tracks are available as free downloads from www.cicerone.co.uk/775/GPX
