Overview
This walking tour takes you to the fairy-tale Black Forest (Schwarzwald), one of Germany’s most beautiful walking regions. You will be enchanted by scenic views, blue mountain lakes and deep valleys. During the first part of this hike, you will walk from Saig on Titisee up to Mount Feldberg – Schwarzwald’s highest peak. Then you pass the resort town of Todtnauberg and continue to the Bernau Valley. Narrow paths lead your way to the Schluchsee Lake and then you complete the circuit, returning to Saig. Stay in welcoming guesthouses and traditional hotels and enjoy the local cuisine, including the Käsespätzle and, of course, the Kirschtorte.
- Black Forest
- Feldberg – the highest mountain in Baden-Württemberg
- Lake Schluchsee – the biggest lake in the Black Forest
- Hasenhorn
Itinerary
Day 1: Saig bei Lenzkirch
Saig bei Lenzkirch is a small village and recognised health resort above Titisee Lake, set on the watershed between the Rhine and Danube river basins. The name Saig derives from Seigge, the German word for watershed.
- Overnight in Hotel Hochfirst or similar
Day 2: Saig – Hinterzarten | 16km
Descend through forest paths towards Titisee Lake. Walk alongside the lakeshore before continuing through a nature reserve towards Bärental. There is time to sample local spirits at the Schnapsmuseum and taste Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte. A steeper ascent then leads to Mathisleweiher, a small woodland pond, before continuing on forest trails to the village of Hinterzarten.
- Accommodation: Haus am Bach or similar in Hinterzarten
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 15km, ↑540m ↓595m
Day 3: Hinterzarten – Feldberg | 15km
Leave Hinterzarten on ascending paths towards Feldsee, a glacial lake enclosed by steep rock walls. Continue on narrower trails through woodland and open clearings, passing farms selling regional produce. The route then climbs steadily towards Feldberg, with an optional detour to the Bismarck monument. An easier alternative route is available directly to the accommodation.
- Accommodation: Todtnauer Hütte or similar in Feldberg
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 15km, ↑675m ↓205m
Day 4: Feldberg – Todtnauberg | 12km
Climb Feldberg, the highest peak in the Black Forest at 1,493m. After reaching the summit, follow the Westweg trail as it descends through forested slopes. The route leads steadily downhill to Todtnauberg, a mountain resort village.
- Accommodation: Hotel Engel or similar in Todtnauberg
- Walking for the day: 4h, 12km, ↑225m ↓530m
Day 5: Todtnauberg – Bernau | 14km
Descend into the valley to Todtnau, passing the town’s waterfalls. Take the chairlift to Hasenhorn, followed by a short detour to the summit. Continue walking past Prägbach waterfalls before reaching Bernau, a high valley settlement in the southern Black Forest.
- Accommodation: Landgasthof Adler or similar in Bernau
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 14km, ↑300m ↓750m
Day 6: Bernau – Schluchsee | 23km
Begin with a climb to Scheibenfelsen viewpoint, with wide views across the surrounding valleys. Continue along the Panorama Trail before descending to Menzenschwand, where a small chapel can be visited. The route then climbs gradually through woodland and descends towards Schluchsee Lake. Walk along the dam and into the village of Schluchsee.
- Accommodation: Schiff am Schluchsee or similar in Schluchsee
- Walking for the day: 5-6h, 22km, ↑680m ↓645m
Day 7: Schluchsee – Saig | 14km
Ascend to a viewpoint tower with views across much of the surrounding area. Forest paths lead down towards Lenzkirch before the final ascent across open mountain meadows to Saig.
- Accommodation: Hotel Hochfirst or similar in Saig
- Walking for the day: 4-5h, 14km, ↑450m ↓410m
Day 8: Departure
Depart after breakfast or extend your stay
What to expect
Accommodation
Accommodation is in a mix of 3*** hotels and country inns. We have carefully hand-picked all places and regularly monitor their quality. We have tried to choose accommodations that offer friendly service, clean and comfortable rooms and local flavour. Please note that, in this region, it is common practice for hotels and other accommodations to join twin beds together to make a double, with separate linen for each person. If you prefer to opt for twin beds, we will happily request this at time of booking, however they can’t always be guaranteed. Some rooms in Todtnauerhütte can have shared facilities.
Click to view default hotels
- Hotel Hochfirst
- Haus am Bach
- Todtnauer Hütte
- Hotel Engel
- Landgasthof Adler
- Hotel Hochfirst
- Schiff am Schluchsee
*Hotels are subject to availability. In case a hotel is fully booked for your desired dates, we will replace it with a property of equal standard. We will provide full accommodation details upon booking confirmation.
Meals
Accommodation is on a bed & breakfast basis. Picnic lunches are optional at an additional charge and can be pre-ordered locally. Dinner is available at the accommodations or in nearby restaurants.
Difficulty and terrain
The walking sections require good fitness level; Some sections might be steep or slippery (read more about difficulty grades). We strongly advise you to follow only marked trails and never try to shorten the path through the unknown and unmarked terrain. We will provide you with detailed road notes and maps and you can call our 24/7 local assistance phone number anytime. More detailed info on route navigation will be included in your holiday information pack.
When to go
This trip is available on any date between April and October. The flexibility of self-guided holidays means that there are no fixed dates and you can start your trip on any date during the season.
Although it’s well known for city breaks, Oktoberfest and Christmas markets, Germany’s multi-seasonal treats stretch far beyond these clichés. Germany’s climate is typically northern European and you can read more about temperatures, rainfall and events in our blog, Best time to go to Germany.
Getting there
Click to view travel options
By plane
Our recommended airport for this tour is Stuttgart (STR). Another option is the Basel Airport in Switzerland.
By train or bus
- By train to Titsee via Freiburg. For more information, use the Omio planner above.
- By car: there is parking close to the first hotel, free of charge, no reservation needed.
Inclusions
Included
- 7 overnight stays with breakfast in 3*** hotels and charming country inns
- Luggage transfer on all walking days (one piece of luggage per person, 20kg)
- Cable car on Hasenhorn
- Detailed digital route notes (1 x per room), navigation app & GPS data
- 24/7 phone assistance by our local office/representative
Excluded
- Airfare and connecting land transfers
- Lunches, dinners, drinks and snacks
- Travel insurance (required – get a quote online)
- Personal expenses
- Local tourist taxes and entry fees (payable on-site)
- Any items not explicitly listed as included
- eSIM data for international travel (get an eSIM)
Options, extras and supplements
- Extra charges may be applicable for last-minute bookings for this specific tour!
- A supplement applies to members of a group who require a single room
- This holiday is available for solo travellers. However, a supplement will be charged as the cost of rooms and also luggage or private transfers (when applicable) is not shared. Please note that solo travellers are always accommodated in their own room. For logistical reasons, we don’t offer an option for solo travellers to share rooms with other solo travellers.
- Extra nights along the trail are bookable upon request
- Printed travel documents available upon request at the time of the booking
