Westweg

The “Gold City” of Pforzheim lies at the confluence of the three Black Forest rivers: the Enz, the Nagold, and the Würm. Once the residence of the Margraves of Baden and the birthplace of the humanist Johannes Reuchlin (1455–1552), it is now the center of the German jewelry and watch industry. The three most famous high-altitude hiking trails in the Black Forest—the Westweg, the Mittelweg, and the Ostweg—begin at Kupferhammer At the Kupferhammer, where the Nagold and Würm rivers converge, the three major trails of the Black Forest Association begin. Those who prefer not to take the bus can hike from Pforzheim’s main train station through the city center, cross the Enz River, and follow the Nagold River upstream through the Stadtgarten to the hiking sign and the “Golden Gate” at the start of the three long-distance trails. The West Trail and Central Trail stay close to the Nagold, while the East Trail branches off into the Würm Valley right at the starting point. At the elevation near the Hoheneck ruins, the red diamonds point to the right over the Hämmerlesberg downhill toward Dillweißenstein. After crossing the Nagold Bridge, the trail leads over the Sonnenberg down into the Enz Valley and, from the Lower Enz Footbridge, follows the rushing river upstream. At the Grösselbach Ford, massive stepping stones help you cross the stream. Perched on an imposing meander of the Enz, the Neue Schloss towers high above the old mining town of Neuenbürg. The branch museum of the Badisches Landesmuseum housed there features scenes from the famous Black Forest fairy tale “The Cold Heart” by Wilhelm Hauff. Down in Neuenbürg’s old town, the trail crosses the bridge and climbs the steep slope along the Enz River up to the Wilhelmshöhe district. After a short stretch through the forest, a scenic path along the forest edge begins above Straubenhardt. From the Schwanner Warte wooden tower, the view stretches all the way to the Rhine Valley and the Palatinate Forest. Then the Westweg finally disappears into the dark fir forests of the northern Black Forest. Behind the imposing rock formation of the Großer Volzemer Stein, it reaches the spa town of Dobel.

Ascent

733 m

Descent

294 m

The second stage showcases the typical landscapes of the northern Black Forest in a single day: lush coniferous forests, magnificent views, moorland hilltops, and deeply carved river valleys. The gentle climb from Dobel to Kaltenbronn is dotted with numerous viewpoints, most of which owe their existence to the force of Hurricane Lothar (Christmas 1999). The trail descends via steep, rocky paths past the Latschigfelsen rock formation into the wild Murg Valley to Forbach. At the outskirts of Dobel, the Westweg trail plunges back into the deep coniferous forests. It climbs gently over the ridge between Alb and Eyach towards Kaltenbronn. The Westweg always runs below the ridge line, first to Weithäuslesplatz, then through the Schweizerkopf with its panoramic views to the Hahnenfalzhütte. At the Langmartskopfhütte, it reaches the Kaltenbronn plateau. Magnificent views of the Murg Valley accompany the Westweg to the Kreuzlehütte, where it crosses the Old Wine Route and heads for the Kaltenbronn inn. At the beginning of the 20th century, the Kaltenbronn was the favorite recreational destination and hunting ground of Grand Duke Friedrich I of Baden; today, skiers and cross-country skiers flock here in winter. The Kaltenbach stream, which babbles merrily over large granite boulders, accompanies the Westweg trail up to Lake Hohloh, a small high moor lake. The boardwalk leads directly to the Hohloh Tower, which the Black Forest Association built in 1897 on the highest point of the extensive high plateau at 988 meters. After a steep descent, the full difference in altitude to the Murg Valley is revealed from the pulpit of the Latschigfelsen rock. The Murg has carved out a deep rocky canyon. In the Kauersbach Valley above Gausbach stand the characteristic wooden hay huts brought by immigrants from Tyrol. The mowed grass could dry in them, and in winter the farmers brought it down to the valley on sleds. The panoramic trail above Gausbach shows the lovely side of the Murg Valley before the stage ends at the historic wooden bridge in Forbach.

Ascent

547 m

Descent

943 m

The Black Forest’s main ridge beckons! On its third stage, the Westweg winds its way through the Badener Höhe and Hochkopf, venturing into the highest regions of the Northern Black Forest. The climate becomes noticeably harsher, the mountains steeper, and the trails more rugged. The Herrenwieser See lies enchanted, surrounded by a fairy-tale forest. And along the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, the Westweg is at its best—offering views of the Rhine Valley. From the historic wooden bridge over the Murg, the Westweg leads straight through Forbach’s old town. Passing the Maria-Hilf Chapel, it climbs through one of the romantic, tranquil hay-shed valleys. The first climb, with an elevation gain of over 450 meters to Wegscheid, really gets your legs working early in the morning. On the gentle descent down to the Schwarzenbach Dam, your calves can relax again. The reservoir, the largest lake in the Northern Black Forest, feeds the Forbach pumped-storage power plant, whose massive pressure pipelines down into the Murg Valley are just a short detour from the Westweg. Another 350 meters of elevation gain completes the long climb out of the Murg Valley up to the first “thousanders” of the Northern Black Forest. The steep, rocky trail up to the Seekopfs (1,001 m) passes by the tranquil Herrenwieser See, whose 170-meter-high Karwand is considered the highest in the Northern Black Forest. At the memorial stone for Philipp Bussemer, one of the two pioneers of the Black Forest Association who helped mark the Westweg for the first time, a quiet little bench beneath the rhododendrons invites you to take a break. Just one meter higher is the Badener Höhe (1,002 m) with the Friedrichsturm, visible from afar. At the Kurhaus Sand—one of numerous once-magnificent, now slowly decaying mountain hotels—the Westweg meets the Schwarzwaldhochstraße, which it follows all the way to the Hundseck. A final ascent takes hikers to the Hochkopf, the first Grinden peak on the Westweg. The trail leads down through a rustic landscape of raised bogs and heathland to the Kurhaus Unterstmatt.

Ascent

1008 m

Descent

382 m

The stage across the Grinden Black Forest leads over the highest peaks of the northern Black Forest. At an altitude of over 1,000 meters, hikers follow the main ridge of the northern Black Forest as it rises and falls. The unique Grinden landscape and breathtaking views of the Rhine Valley, almost 1,000 meters below, make this stage one of the highlights of the Westweg trail. Grinden is the name given to the bare, high moorland plateaus on the peaks of the northern Black Forest. They were created in the Middle Ages by intensive grazing and are covered with matgrass, heather, and mountain pines. Today, the Grinden are preserved through targeted clearing and a revival of livestock farming. From Unterstmatt, a narrow path winds its way to the Ochsenstall inn and then climbs up to the mighty television tower on the high plateau of the Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest. The small Bismarck Tower stands at the highest point of the plateau. At the southern end of the moor, above Lake Mummelsee, the Black Forest Association erected the large Hornisgrinde Tower in 1910, which has been open to visitors again since 2005 following the withdrawal of the French military. Behind the mystical Mummelsee, the Westweg trail crosses the slopes of the Altsteigerskopf, which were stripped bare by Storm Lothar. The cozy Darmstädter Hütte hut tempts you to stop for a bite to eat. Just under a kilometer further on, the dark Wildsee lake in the Bannwald forest shines like one of the eyes of the northern Black Forest. The nature center at Ruhestein vividly explains the history of the Grinden landscape, which is typically presented on the flat Schliffkopf (1,055 m). The Lotharpfad trail impressively demonstrates the unimaginable force with which Storm Lothar swept across the Black Forest on Christmas Day 1999. The small circular trail climbs over the broken trees and winds its way through the regrowing undergrowth. The Röschenschanze at the refuge and the Alexanderschanze from the 18th century bear witness to stormy times of a completely different kind in the northern Black Forest.

Ascent

709 m

Descent

670 m

Forest, forest, forest. A lonely wooded ridge stretches from Alexanderschanze to Harkhof. The wounds left by Hurricane Lothar provide vantage points. There are some pretty gems along the way, such as Glaswaldsee, one of the "blue eyes" of the northern Black Forest. Steep rock faces lend the lake a mystical air. And not far from there is the Klagstein, which is said to have inexplicable indentations. Directly at the Alexanderschanze parking lot, the Westweg disappears into a narrow path in the thicket. Behind the Wolfursprung, the trail reaches the upper edge of the deeply carved Renchtal valley again. The trail now follows wide paths along the edge of the valley. At the Bauernkopf, there is a particularly beautiful view of the Rench Valley, Bad Griesbach, and the Black Forest mountains around the Mooskopf facing the Rhine. When the thermals are good, paragliders and hang gliders take off from here. Just a few steps later, you reach the Graseck crossroads. Here, the trail branches off to the Teufelkanzel, a rock formation with roofs and ledges that can be climbed on an alpine rock trail. The Westweg remains at the ridge height and passes the Hildahütte on a narrow forest path through a wonderfully quiet and unspoiled landscape to the Lettstädter Höhe (966 m). Below the wide plateau, the magnificent Glaswaldsee lake lies hidden in its cirque. If the view of the lake is not enough for you, descend 200 meters to the lake shore. On the descent to the deeply carved Freiersberg saddle, a ten-minute detour leads up to the mystical Klagstein, which towers high above the almost untouched Wildschapacher Valley above the treetops. A wonderful viewpoint and resting place! At Littweger Höhe, the Westweg trail switches to the south side of the ridge. It only leaves the deep forest again at the clearing near Harkhöhe. At Gasthaus Hark, far away from any towns or roads, you can end your Black Forest evening in peace and quiet by the fireplace in the parlor.

Ascent

388 m

Descent

652 m

Stage 6 ventures deep into the heart of the Black Forest. Up to the exposed Spitzfelsen, which juts out into the Kinzig Valley, the trail follows the narrow ridge between the Wolftal and the Einbachtal, which descends from the Brandenkopf. The 945-meter-high Brandenkopf, with its tall observation tower, is worth a detour, especially since the Schwarzwaldverein’s staffed hiking lodge is also located at its summit. At the Harksattel, above the Hark Inn, hikers rejoin the Westweg. The trail leads across mountain meadows into the forest and around the Regeleskopf to the Kreuzsattel. Shortly afterward, at the “Am Reiherskopf” signpost, the Brandenkopf variant of the Westweg branches off. The main trail leads eastward along the slope of the Reiherskopf to Hirzwasen. The variant bypasses the Reiherskopf to the north and crosses the Brandenkopfstraße at the Steiglehütte. From there, the trail winds through dense forest and past moss-covered boulders up to the observation tower and the inn at the summit of the Brandenkopf. The descent now follows the Hansjakob Trail, passing just below the Bettelfrau on its way to Hirzwasen. From this point on, the Westweg stays true to the ridge line between the lovely Einbach Valley and the Wolf Valley. Alternating between the right and left sides of the ridge, it crosses the Hesselbacher Höhe, the Burzbühl (713 m), and the Ebenacker Saddle, eventually reaching the Hohenlochenhütte, romantically perched on a rock. A wooden sign reading “Aussicht” (View) marks the short detour to the Hohenlochen (689 m), which offers a beautiful view of the Wolftal valley. At the Osterbach Saddle, the Westweg leaves the forest; below lies the Käppelehof, nestled among orchards. Beyond the White Cross and a pretty path along the forest edge, the narrow forest trail climbs up to the striking Spitzfelsen. The view from the cross toward nearby Hausach and into the side valleys of the Kinzig makes all the effort worthwhile. Tight hairpin turns lead down along the edge of the forest to the Kinzig, from where it’s just a few meters across the Kinzigsteg to Hausach.

Ascent

365 m

Descent

819 m

Hausach marks the halfway point of the Westweg trail. The Kinzig Valley is the heart of the Central Black Forest. Incidentally, nearby Gutach is the home of the famous Bollenhut hat. The stage is long and more strenuous than expected. Farrenkopf, Prechtaler Schanzen, Huberfelsen, and Karlstein have to be climbed, some of which are very steep and arduous ascents. From Karlstein, the Westweg remains at altitude and reaches Wilhelmshöhe with gentle ups and downs. Shortly after starting in Hausach, the first stop is at Husen Castle. From here, there is a beautiful view of the town and the Kinzig Valley. The keep and parts of the palace wall of the former Zähringer Castle tower prominently over the town. Built to protect the surrounding silver mines, it was destroyed by Weimar troops during the Thirty Years' War. Hikers now have to climb more than 500 meters, the last of which are very steep, to reach the Haseman hut on the Farrenkopf (789 m). The Westweg trail continues consistently along the sometimes surprisingly narrow ridge, heading more uphill than downhill towards the south. This adds up to a total of over 1,100 meters of elevation gain over the course of the route. An impressive daily achievement! Along the way, fortifications at Büchereck, Höchst, and Hirschlache bear witness to the turbulent times of the War of the Spanish Succession at the beginning of the 18th century. The Huberfelsen, a ship's bow-like rock covered with ash, birch, and rowan trees, offers a beautiful view of the Elz Valley. The highlight of this stage is the short rock path, secured with railings, up to the 25-meter-high granite block of Karlstein (964 m). Looking south, the individual farms surrounded by meadows lie like islands in the dark coniferous forest. Ten minutes further on, you can reward yourself for your efforts with a hearty snack at the "Schöne Aussicht" inn. The Westweg now remains at this altitude. The destination is near. Passing the "Zum Karlstein" restaurant, the stage ends at Wilhelmshöhe above the traditional winter sports resort of Schonach.

Ascent

1181 m

Descent

448 m

The gently undulating, broad ridge stretching from Rohrhardsberg to Brend and on to Lake Titisee forms one of the most imposing mountain ranges in the Central Black Forest. It also marks the European watershed between the Rhine and the Danube. As gently as the slopes rise from the east, so abruptly and wildly do the western flanks plunge down into the low-lying Simonswäldertal valley, offering magnificent views, especially at Brend. At Wilhelmshöhe, hikers pass through the massive portal formed by boulders. Passing the Wolfbauernhof farm with the Longinus Cross, the Westweg trail leads to Blindensee. The boardwalk through the raised bog is especially beautiful in the early morning, when the night’s dewdrops still cling to the cotton grass and the branches of the dwarf pines in the first light of day. Beyond the Weißenbacher Höhe, the trail crosses through the small valley of the Elz River to the main ridge between the Danube and the Rhine. Passing the small source of the Elz, you reach a spring of truly historical significance at St. Martin’s Chapel. Here, beneath a rock, the Breg River springs forth; it joins the Brigach near Donaueschingen to form the Danube. The short detour to the source of the Breg is a must for every Westweg hiker! Back on the trail, the Günterfelsen, located right along the path, is the next destination. The massive granite cliffs lie hidden in the middle of the forest. There’s no view here, but one awaits from the nearby observation tower on the Brend (1,149 m). The view to the west toward the massive Kandel and to the south toward the Feldberg, in particular, fuels anticipation for the upcoming stages. On especially clear days, you can even see nearly the entire Western Alps ridge from the Zugspitze to Mont Blanc. Note: Shortly after the Brend observation tower, the trail branches off toward “Artwood.” There, you can purchase a special Westweg T-shirt. See “Author’s Tip.” Alternating between forest and meadows, the Westweg continues along the European watershed to the Neueck. Here you’ll encounter the southern section of the B 500, which—like the Westweg—crosses the Black Forest from north to south. Running close to it, sometimes to the left, sometimes to the right, the trail passes the Hohlen Bildstöckle on its way to the Kalten Herberge.

Ascent

471 m

Descent

425 m

Up to Titisee, the Westweg still follows the European watershed. There, the Westweg splits into two main routes. While the western route heads toward Basel via the Feldberg, the Belchen, and the Blauen, the eastern route crosses the Herzogenhorn, the Blössling, and the Hohe Möhr before heading toward the Swiss city at the Bend of the Rhine via the geologically interesting Dinkelberg. From the Kalten Herberge, the Westweg follows the eastern side of the B 500, initially above and later below the road. At the Lachenhäusle, the view opens up to the deeply incised Simonswälder Valley. A few kilometers further on, the remains of a defensive structure at the Türkenlouis-Schanze on the Hohlen Graben (1,045 m) are clearly visible in the spruce forest. With a magnificent view to the south, the trail circles the Doldenbühl (1,098 m) and now heads toward the unassuming Weißtannenhöhe (1,190 m) via the scenic Fahrenhalde. Bernau lies below to the right, dominated by the Feldberg massif that fills the horizon. Passing through the Fürsatzhöhe and the rustic Berghäusle hiking lodge, the trail descends to the Oberaltenweg with its typical Black Forest farmhouses. With every step toward Titisee, the question of “which way to go next” becomes increasingly pressing for anyone who is still undecided. This is because at the Kurhaus in Titisee, the Westweg splits into two routes. Eastern Route: Following the bustling Seestraße, the eastern route circles the lake along its southern shore. Behind the campgrounds at the mouth of the Seebach, the trail climbs steadily below the railroad tracks all the way to Feldberg-Bärental.

Ascent

534 m

Descent

586 m

At the famous Titisee, the Westweg splits into two main routes. While the western route heads toward the Feldberg, the Belchen, and the Blauer Basel, the eastern route runs south past the highest peak in the Black Forest, crosses the Herzogenhorn and the Blössling, and heads toward the Swiss town at the Bend of the Rhine via the geologically interesting Dinkelberg. From the Kalten Herberge, the Westweg follows the eastern side of the B 500, initially above and later below the road. At the Lachenhäusle, the view opens up to the deeply incised Simonswald Valley. A few kilometers further on, the remains of a defensive structure at the Türkenlouis-Schanze on the Hohlen Graben (1,045 m) are clearly visible in the spruce forest. With a magnificent view to the south, the trail circles the Doldenbühl (1,098 m) and now heads toward the unassuming Weißtannenhöhe (1,190 m) via the scenic Fahrenhalde. Bernau lies below to the right, dominated by the Feldberg massif that fills the horizon. Passing through the Fürsatzhöhe and the rustic Berghäusle hiking lodge, the trail descends to the Oberaltenweg with its typical Black Forest farmhouses. With every step toward Titisee, the question of “which way to go next” becomes increasingly pressing for anyone who is still undecided. This is because at the Kurhaus in Titisee, the Westweg splits into two routes. Western Route: The western route heads directly down toward the lake, follows the shoreline westward, and climbs up to the Keßlerhöhe (1,017 m) with beautiful views of the lake. From there, it’s just a stone’s throw to the tower of the famous Adlerschanze high above Hinterzarten, home of the successful “Schwarzwaldadler.” From the Scheibenfelsen, a narrow path leads steeply downhill to Oberzarten.

Ascent

602 m

Descent

715 m

With four high Black Forest mountains, the eastern variant presents itself from its most beautiful side. Zweiseenblick, Herzogenhorn, Blössling, and Hochkopf guarantee the highest enjoyment of nature, but at the same time require a fair amount of fitness and stamina. In the evening, you can recharge your batteries with a good bottle of Baden wine at the Waldhotel Auerhahn "Hochkopfhaus."

Ascent

1018 m

Descent

907 m

The highlight of the Westweg is undoubtedly the crossing of the Feldberg from east to west. Up on the windswept summit—the highest point in Germany’s low mountain ranges—a sense of triumph spreads not only among Westweg hikers. Many would likely love to linger longer and enjoy the magnificent panoramic view, were it not for the long hike still ahead to the Wiedener Eck. From Oberzarten, the Westweg initially follows the romantic Zartenbach Valley. Signposts indicate a short detour to the pretty Mathisleweiher, a former log-floating pond. Gradually ascending, the trail reaches the clearing “Am Feldberg,” where a few forest farms stand. At Rufenholzplatz, the trail begins to climb more steeply. The forest trail gradually turns into an alpine path through primeval-like spruce forest. On the ridge of the immense walls of the Feldseekar, the forest occasionally offers views of the Feldsee, shimmering green far below. Above the tree line, the trail climbs through the Grüble—where snow can still lie even in summer—into the wide saddle between Seebuck on the left and the Feldberg summit on the right. A good twenty minutes later, you reach “the highest peak” in the Black Forest. The observation deck on the 1,495-meter-high Feldberg marks the highest point in Germany outside the Alps. When the weather is good, the 360-degree panoramic view is correspondingly spectacular: to the north and east, the Black Forest peaks fade into the horizon; to the west, the Vosges seem to hover above the Rhine Valley; but the highlight is the sweeping Alpine panorama to the south. The Westweg descends as a narrow path with high steps to the St. Wilhelmer Hut, from which it follows the connecting mountain ridge to the Belchen. The bare, elongated ridge of the Stübenwasen (1,386 m) offers a magnificent Alpine panorama. Beyond the Notschrei Pass, the trail climbs once more, circles the Trubelsmattkopf, and reaches the Wiedener Eck via open meadow slopes.

Ascent

817 m

Descent

688 m

On the descent from Hochkopf to Schweigmatt, hikers experience the full diversity of the Southern Black Forest’s landscape: from the mountain meadows near Todtmoos, through the open mixed forests and scenic forest edges near Gersbach, all the way to the first orchard meadows. And as a highlight, the tower on the Hohe Möhr beckons with a magnificent distant view of the Swiss Alps and the Swiss Jura, as well as the Dinkelberg far below. At the Weißenbachsattel, the Westweg passes through the “Gateway to the Wehratal” and then leads down to the Hochkopfhütte. From there, it climbs gently through spruce and alder forests and across fragrant mountain meadows to Todtmoos-Lehen. Beyond St. Antoni, the trail disappears deep into the forest. Sometimes veering north, sometimes south, it winds around the densely forested hilltops of the ridge line and passes the Altensteiner Kreuz before reemerging from the dark green foliage at the Schwellen. Along the forest edge across the Schwellen, a fantastic view opens up to the south toward the Gersbach sun terrace and all the way to the Swiss Jura. Ahead, you can already see the Hohe Möhr with its characteristic tower-like structure on the summit. At the Sandwürfesattel, the ascent to the last high peak of the Black Forest begins. Finally, the trail winds its way upward in numerous switchbacks. A short detour to a spring promises a refreshing break before reaching the observation tower on the Hohe Möhr (983 m), built in 1893 from stone and wood. Thanks to the platform at a height of 25 meters, Westweg hikers can once again “conquer a thousander.” The 144 steps are rewarded with a sweeping panoramic view over the southwestern tip of the Black Forest. From the tower, the trail continues downhill through the forest, always following the familiar red diamonds, which the path doesn’t leave until reaching the Waldhaus mountain inn. Like an eagle’s nest, Schweigmatt clings to the steep southwestern slope of the Hohe Möhr. With a view of the Dinkelberg—over which the final stages of the hike to Basel run—hikers slowly bid farewell to the Black Forest.

Ascent

395 m

Descent

739 m

The itinerary includes two of the Black Forest’s major peaks: the Belchen and the Blauen. The Belchen is considered one of the most beautiful, unspoiled, and alpine-like peaks in the southern Black Forest. Its massive mountain range towers over the surrounding valleys with its vast forested and rocky slopes. The Blauen, on the other hand, juts far into the Rhine Valley. As you descend into the Markgräflerland, it’s time to slowly bid farewell to the Black Forest. From the Wiedener Eck, the Westweg circles the Heidstein on narrow trails and then descends through the steep mountain slopes to the Krinne. With the Belchen, the “crown prince” of the Black Forest mountains now looms ahead. A steep, rocky, and alpine trail—enriched with sweeping views down into the Münster Valley—winds uphill through the mountain forest until the bare summit is reached. From the edge of the forest, a detour leads directly to the summit (1,414 m). The Westweg runs parallel along the slope to the Belchenhaus, which has been Baden-Württemberg’s highest-altitude inn since 1898. What a view! From the summit, the vista sweeps across the entire southern Black Forest all the way to the shimmering ice giants of the Alps. 700 meters below, the Kleine and Große Wiesental valleys stretch out with their idyllically situated villages. Through a unique mountain forest of serviceberries and mountain ash, the trail descends—first gently, then steeply—above the Belchen’s 22South Face22. On the rocky, steep slope of the Hohe Kelch, the trail becomes truly challenging. A few handrails help you navigate exposed sections. Passing the Dekan-Strohmeyer Chapel, the trail runs along the edge of the forest to the Haldenhof. On the ascent to the Kreuzweg parking lot, the narrow trail winds around the Weiherfelsen. A relaxing stretch follows along quiet forest paths to the Müllheimer Egerten. From there, the trail leads up the steep northern flank to the iron Blauenturm (1,165 m). From here on, it’s all downhill! The route through the mystical Hexenplatz and past the Sausenburg castle ruins is so entertaining that you’ll reach Kandern faster than you think.

Ascent

1053 m

Descent

1740 m

From a geological perspective, the Dinkelberg is no longer part of the Black Forest. With its porous karst soil, it is a distinct, small mountain massif that features numerous unique landscape characteristics. The intensive agricultural use of the land—with forests, meadows, fruit trees, and fields—makes the hike along the long, stretched-out ridge of the Dinkelberg an entertaining experience, despite the often-wide farm roads. From Schweigmatt, steep trails lead first across mountain meadows and then through the beech forest down to the Schammernbach. On the outskirts of Hasel, the Westweg turns right and crosses the Entengraben, beyond which the Dinkelberg proper begins, with its fields, meadows, and orchard meadows. The trail now leads through a landscape characterized by numerous, sometimes steep depressions in the ground. These are the remnants of dolines—collapse cones formed by cavities beneath the porous karst terrain. After crossing the federal highway, you reach Eichener Lake—if it’s even visible. This is because Eichener Lake is a temporary karst lake that is fed by irregular groundwater flows, regardless of weather conditions. The trail then follows the ridge of the Dinkelberg, sometimes across meadows and past orchards, then through the forest again. Finally, after a short, steep ascent, you reach the highest point of the limestone massif: the Hohe Flum (536 m). From the observation tower, the view stretches across the surrounding orchard meadows to the nearby Wiesental or Rheintal valleys, as well as back toward the Hohe Mür, which now appears far away. The trail then descends to Oberminseln.

Ascent

243 m

Descent

592 m

The Westweg winds its way through the lovely Markgräfler Land toward its destination in Basel. The wild and romantic Wolfschlucht gorge, magnificent beech forests, small vineyards, and the imposing ruins of Rötteln Castle lie along the route. Climbing over the scenic Tüllinger Berg, the Westweg descends to the little Wiese River. The route continues through surprisingly lush greenery into the Swiss metropolis at the bend in the Rhine, all the way to the Badischer Bahnhof in Basel. From Kandern, the Westweg initially follows the Kander Valley. On the slopes of the Kander, rocks have broken away to form the Wolfschlucht. Through narrow rock passages and steep slopes, narrow paths wind beneath the canopy of mighty beech trees—sometimes uphill, sometimes downhill—all the way to Hammerstein. The first vineyards accompany hikers through Egerten to the Baselblick Hut above Wollbach. Behind the picturesque little village in the Markgräflerland, the trail disappears into the forest and heads along the Flachslandweg toward the Rötteln castle ruins, which tower majestically over Lörrach. The castle, which was rebuilt to its current size after the Basel earthquake of 1356, is one of the largest castle complexes in southern Baden. The climb up the Staufer keep is well worth it—if only for the view over the castle, the town, and the Wiesental valley. The nearby church in Rötteln is also worth a visit. In this church, which is over 1,250 years old, the tombs of Margrave Rudolf III of Baden and his wife are located in a vaulted chapel. The trail winds through the tower rings up the Tüllinger Berg to the Daur Hut, which offers spectacular views. As you hike along the edge of the forest to the Tüllinger Höhe, new views of the Wiesental valley, the Dinkelberg, and the town of Lörrach constantly open up. A short while later, the terrace of the Ottilien Church in Obertüllingen offers a magnificent view of Basel. Passing through the Swiss vineyards, you’ll reach the small Wiese River. The Wiesedamms trail leads through the Langen Erlen to the zoo of the same name, from where it’s only a few minutes’ walk to the Badischer Bahnhof. PLEASE NOTE: Upon crossing the border into Switzerland, the Westweg trail markings align with the Swiss hiking trail markings. Please follow the Swiss diamond symbol all the way to the trail’s endpoint at the Badischer Bahnhof in Basel; the Westweg’s red diamond marking ends at the German border. Please also note that a section of the Westweg passes through the “Lange Erlen” Zoo in Basel. The park is open daily from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. from March through October and from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. from November through February, with free admission. Outside these hours, you must walk around the animal park.

Ascent

450 m

Descent

541 m

On the final leg, hikers can look forward to two more scenic highlights: the wild and romantic Ruschbach Valley and the unique Buchswald forest near Grenzach-Wyhlen. Here, the otherwise gentle Dinkelberg reveals its wild side. Steep slopes, rocks, and slippery gorges provide an intense experience of nature before the city of art and culture, Basel, brings the hike to a close. The descent from Oberminseln to Degerfelden leads through quiet stream valleys, over ridges with panoramic views, and along varied forest edges. The ruins of the Roman estate near Degerfelden bear witness to the fact that the Romans already appreciated the Dinkelberg’s formidable nature over 2,000 years ago. The Großbach stream in Degerfelden accompanies hikers all the way to the historic village center. Through a sparse beech forest dotted with rocks, the Westweg winds its way from Degerfelden up narrow paths to the Eigenturm. From here, the view stretches across the Upper Rhine near Rheinfelden all the way to the nearby Swiss Jura Mountains. Past Rührberg, the Westweg takes a sharp left turn just before the Swiss border and leads down to Wyhlen. The route through the Ruschbach Valley is highly recommended in dry weather. The Grenzach Boxwood Forest begins on the outskirts of Wyhlen. It is unique in Germany. The entire slope up to the Hornfelsen, high above the Grenzacher Horn, is covered on its lower level with evergreen boxwood trees up to five meters tall. Above that, downy oaks, maples, and beeches form a natural canopy. The boxwood trees, which were likely brought here by the Romans, thrive in the dry, warm climate of this steep slope. The Westweg winds its way up and down as a narrow trail through the thicket of the boxwood forest. Sure-footedness is absolutely essential on the steep sections. Passing the Rötelstein rock and along narrow rocky ledges, the trail leads up to the summit before descending toward Grenzach. The final highlight is the Grenzacher Horn rock formation. High above the Rhine, the view sweeps out over the facilities of the Birsfeld Harbor and across to Basel. After a steep, zigzagging descent, the Westweg reaches the outskirt of Grenzach-Wyhlen and, shortly thereafter, the outskirts of Basel behind the customs station. The route now follows the banks of the Rhine to the Tinguely Museum at the Schwarzwaldbrücke and from there along Schwarzwaldstraße to the destination at the Badischer Bahnhof.

Ascent

604 m

Descent

718 m