Immerse yourself in blissful tranquility as you follow trails through the enchanted forest.
Enjoy panoramic views from the Feldberg summit, The Black Forest’s highest peak at 1,493 m.
Wander through gentle valleys to the sound of cascading waterfalls and bubbling mountain streams.
Listen for the sound of church bells coming from charming villages with timber-framed houses.
Enjoy a slice of Black Forest Gateau whilst relaxing in a lakeside café.
Hiking in the Black Forest: self-guided walking holiday
Hike to Feldberg mountain and the shimmering lakes Titisee and Schluchsee
The Black Forest is one of the most beautiful regions in all of Germany and is just made for hiking. It’s wooded hills offer fabulous walking and the trails are very well marked and maintained.
“The Black Forest is a ludicrously lovely expanse of hills, lakes and forest, topping out at 1493m Feldberg.” Lonely Planet
Despite its name, the Black Forest (Schwarzwald in German) is not actually a single forest. It is the name given to a vast and enchanted area of hills, valleys, lakes, and woodland, measuring 160 km from top to bottom. Apart from the clichéd cuckoo clocks and fairy tales, Schwarzwald is also widely renowned as one of Germanys most beautiful hiking regions. Its enchanting trails are steeped in local myths and legend.
On this week-long walking holiday, you will explore one of the most scenic parts of the Black Forest. Starting and ending in Saig, above Lake Titisee, you will enjoy wonderful panoramic views over deep blue mountain lakes and gentle valleys. A highlight is the ascent to the Feldberg summit, The Black Forest’s highest peak at 1,493 m. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mont Blanc! You will visit the pleasant resort town of Todtnauberg and the picturesque Bernau Valley. The final highlight is the serene Lak Schluchsee, Germany’s highest reservoir and the largest lake in the Schwarzwald. Take a ramble along its shore and indulge in a lakeside slice of Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau) before returning to your starting point above the shimmering Lake Titisee.
| 8 DAYS / 7 NIGHTS | From €885 per person sharing*
*A high-season supplement of €60 pp. will apply during the busy summer and Easter periods. |
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| ACCOMMODATION |
7 nights in comfortable 3*** hotels and charming country inns. | ||||||||||||||
| MEALS | Breakfast is included each morning. Picnic lunches can be ordered on site from the hotels and inns or you can stop at shops or cafes along the way. You can have dinner at your accommodation or at nearby restaurants. | ||||||||||||||
| AVAILABILITY | You can start on any day of the week (subject to availability) between April 20th and October 13th. | ||||||||||||||
| INCLUDED |
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| NOT INCLUDED |
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| OPTIONAL EXTRAS |
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| DISCOUNT FOR DIGITAL ROUTE BOOK | Join us in achieving greater sustainability by choosing our digital route book, rather than the printed version. As a small thank you we will give you a discount of €20 per room (let us know at the time of booking if you would like to do this). |
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| DIFFICULTY / TERRAIN | The difficulty level of this tour is rated as moderate overall. You should expect to walk an average of approximately 4 – 6 hours per day. You will mostly walk on well-marked hillside, valley and forest trails. A pretty good level of fitness is required for the ascents and descents. Some sections might be steep or slippery. | ||||||||||||||
Day 1: Arrival to Saig
The village of Saig is a small and peaceful health resort in the community of Lenzkirch, overlooking lake Titisee. Once you have checked into your comfortable hotel you can relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the Black Forest.
Overnight: Saig.
Day 2: Saig to Hinterzarten
Distance: 16 km | Ascent: 350 m | Descent: 450 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.
Your first walking day begins with a descent on a quiet forest path to the shimmering lake Titisee, the largest natural lake in the Black Forest. Titisee was named after the Roman general Titus, whose army was once encamped in the Black Forest. You follow the trail along the shore before continuing through a nature reserve towards the Bärental valley and the small village of the same name. You can stop to taste some local liquour in the Schnapsmuseum and of course you must sample the famous Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte (Black Forest Gateau). After Bärental you have a steep ascent to the idyllic lake Mathisleweiher, surrounded by forest. A pleasant trail takes you from here to the village of Hinterzarten.
Overnight: Hinterzarten.
Day 3: Hinterzarten to Feldberg
Distance: 15 km | Ascent: 750 m | Descent: 250 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.
Today you follow scenic trails towards the high point of the tour and of the whole Black Forest region, Mount Feldberg. Leaving Hinterzarten behind, you first walk to the glacial lake Feldsee. Along the way, you will pass several farms serving local specialities. Stop for a break at the shore of the beautiful Feldsee before following a narrow trail towards the ski resort on Feldberg. From here, you can choose whether you want to walk to the Bismarck Monument or follow an easier path to your accommodation. The municipality of Feldberg is located at the highest point of the pass between Lake Titisee and the Wiese valley, directly under the summit of the Feldberg.
Overnight: Feldberg.
Day 4: Feldberg to Todtnauberg
Distance: 12 km | Ascent: 250 m | Descent: 550 m | Walking time: 4 hrs approx.
Today is sure to be one of the highlights of your walk in the Black Forest, as you ascend to the summit of the Feldberg. At 1,493 m above sea level, this is the highest mountain in the Schwarzwald and the highest peak in Germany outside of the Alps. It is a steep ascent, but it’s well worth the effort for the stunning panorama that awaits you from the summit. You will have a breathtaking view over the Black Forest to the distant Alps. On a clear day you can see all the way to Mont Blanc.
From the summit, you will follow the long distance Westweg trail along the mountain ridge. The trail descends through meadows and quiet forests. You will pass numerous mountain inns and rest areas on your way to the lively resort town of Todtnauberg.
Overnight: Todtnauberg.
Day 5: Todtnauberg to Bernau im Schwarzwald
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 300 m | Descent: 750 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.
Today’s hike takes you first down into the valley to Todtnau. You will pass numerous waterfalls, with the Todtnauer Wasserfall a particular highlight. Here, the water plunges almost 100 metres before crashing against the rocks below. From Todtnau, you ascend again by taking the chairlift up to the Hasenhorn. Enjoy yet another wonderful view from the hilltop vantage point before continuing your hike through mountain pastures and along bubbling mountain streams to the high valley of Bernau. Consisting of about a dozen small settlements and hamlets, Bernau is renowned as one of the Schwarzwald’s most beautiful high valleys.
Overnight: Bernau im Schwarzwald.
Day 6: Bernau im Schwarzwald to Schluchsee
Distance: 23 km | Ascent: 650 m | Descent: 600 m | Walking time: 6 hrs approx.
Today’s hike is relatively long but very scenic and rewarding. You first ascend to another wonderful vantage point, the Scheibenfelsen. You then continue along a panoramic trail before descending to the village of Menzenschwand. A small chapel lies on the wayside. From here you ascend through a quiet forest. Soon after noon you will reach lake Schluchsee, a reservoir lake located at 930 m above sea level. It is the highest reservoir in Germany, the largest lake in the Black Forest, and is a popular recreation spot with the locals. You follow the path around the shore of the serene lake before reaching the lakeside town of the same name. You can then reward yourself after a long walk by enjoying a Kirschtorte at one of the lakeside cafés.
Overnight: Schluchsee.
Day 7: Schluchsee to Saig
Distance: 14 km | Ascent: 450 m | Descent: 450 m | Walking time: 4½ hrs approx.
On your final walking day, you ascend to yet another vantage tower, from where you can make out almost every trail you’ve walked during the past few days. Quiet forest trails then lead you down into the valley towards the village of Lenzkirch. Take one last break to gather strength before you ascend over blooming mountain meadows to return to where you started the week, in the small settlement of Saig above Lake Titisee.
Overnight: Saig.
Day 8: Departure
Your walking holiday in the Black Forest comes to an end after breakfast this morning, unless you have booked any additional services with us.
Arrival and departure info
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