Westweg Stage 8: Wilhelmshöhe -Kalte Herberge

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 Kalte Herberge inn or local guesthouses in Schonach; wild camping is strictly prohibited along this section. Hikers must pack a reliable water filter to treat surface water from natural springs. Both trailheads are accessible via regional bus networks, with schedules available at https://www.bahn.de. The Westweg is a long-distance trail from Pforzheim to Basel, typically completed in 12 stages.