Best backpacking trails in Southern Black Forest Nature Park

This route follows stage 2 of the Schluchtensteig and connects Blumberg with the Schattenmühle on one of the most spectacular sections of the Black Forest. The hike leads past the Schleifenbach Falls directly into the heart of the Wutach Gorge nature reserve, which stands out with its vertical cliff faces and jungle-like forests. Along this path, hikers navigate narrow ledges and steep ladders, where the sharp descent into the Schleifenbach Gorge requires surefootedness and focus. Overnight...

This route follows stage 3 of the Schluchtensteig and connects the Schattenmühle with Oberfischbach on a historically rich section. The hike first leads to the Räuberschlössle ruins, which sit spectacularly atop an 80-meter (260-foot) rock face overlooking the Wutach, and passes the historic Stallegg river power station. Continuing on, hikers turn into the Haslach Gorge and ascend via prominent viewpoints like the Rechenfelsen and Hölllochfelsen toward Lenzkirch, before the path reaches the...

This route follows stage 10 of the Westweg, a long-distance trail from Pforzheim to Basel, beginning in Hinterzarten and ending at the Wiedener Eck. The path traverses the romantic Zartenbachtal before climbing an alpine trail past the Feldsee lake cliffs. Hikers cross the treeline to reach the 1,495-meter Feldberg summit, which rewards them with panoramic views stretching from the Voges mountains to the Alps. The trail then descends past the St. Wilhelmer Hütte, follows the Stübenwasen ridge...

This route follows stage 11 of the Westweg, a long-distance trail from Pforzheim to Basel, beginning at the Wiedener Eck and ending in Kandern. The trail passes the Heidstein and ascends an alpine path to the bare summit of the Belchen, home to the historic Belchenhaus inn. It descends past the Dekan-Strohmeyer-Chapel to the Haldenhof, winds around the Weiherfelsen crag to the Müllheimer Egerten, climbs the Blauen mountain to the iron Blauenturm tower, and passes the Hexenplatz and Sausenburg...

This route follows stage 5 of the Schluchtensteig and connects St. Blasien with Todtmoos on a scenically diverse section. The hike first leads up to the Lehenkopf Tower, which offers wide views of the St. Blasien Dome, before crossing the open mountain meadows of the Hotzenwald. Special highlights include the idyllic Klosterweiher pond and the glacial high valley of Ibach with panoramic views stretching all the way to the Swiss Alps, followed by a switchback-filled descent through the...

This route follows stage 4 of the Schluchtensteig and connects Oberfischbach with St. Blasien on a particularly scenic section. The hike leads up to the rocky summit of the Bildstein, the highest point of the entire trail, which offers a sweeping view over Lake Schluchsee all the way to the Alps. After descending to the lakeshore, the path runs through dense coniferous forests and the wildly romantic Windberg Gorge before ending directly in front of the imposing dome of St....

This route follows stage 6 of the Schluchtensteig, connecting Todtmoos with the official terminus in Wehr on a dramatic final section. The trail begins gently through mixed forests before entering the impressive Wehra Gorge, where rock faces up to 200 meters (650 feet) high tower above the river. Highlights include the striking Hirschfelsen and Pfeiferskopf rock formations, the Alpine views from the Mettlerhütte, and crossing the dam wall of the Wehra Reservoir, before the hike concludes at...

This route follows stage 1 of the Schluchtensteig and connects Stühlingen with Blumberg on a spectacular section through the Southern Black Forest. The hike initially leads along the Wutach River to the historic Sauschwänzlebahn railway and the Weiler museum mill. A scenic highlight is the transit through the Wutachflühen, a pristine canyon with steep rock towers, moss-covered stones, and lush ferns, before the demanding ascent to the Buchberg viewpoint rewards hikers with panoramic...

This route follows stage 7 of the Westweg, a long-distance trail from Pforzheim to Basel, beginning in Hausach and ending in Schonach. Leaving Hausach, the path climbs past the medieval Burg Husen castle ruins and follows a steep, narrow ridge line to the Haseman-Hütte on the Farrenkopf. Hikers traverse historical military earthworks at Büchereck and Höchst, pass the scenic Huberfelsen crag, and ascend the secured rocky steps of the Karlstein granite formation. The section continues along...

This route follows stage 8 of the Westweg, a long-distance trail from Pforzheim to Basel, beginning at the Wilhelmshöhe and ending at the Kalte Herberge. The path passes through the boulder portal at Wilhelmshöhe, crossing the Blindensee high moor on a wooden boardwalk. It tracks the European watershed past the Elz source, the Breg source at the Martinskapelle, and the giant Günterfelsen granite formations before ascending the Brend observation tower. Overnight stays are accommodated at the...