Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
1)
Town, Forest, Tower –
Walking tour around Freudenstadt
Distance: 10.6 km
Difference in altitude: 239 m
This tour leads you around Freudenstadt, mostly on small
footpaths, through mixed woodland with trees of different age
and height, and to places with wonderful views, i.e. the
“Herzog-Friedrich” tower on the hill “Kienberg”. Partly you
walk along the Woodland History trail that provides historical
insight into ancient woodland trades and the way of life of the
“woodlanders”.
STARTING POINT: Tourist-Information, Marktplatz 64
Tiefgarage Marktplatz (underground car park)
(Alternatives: Hikers parkings „Teuchelwald“ or „Lauferbrunnen“
outside the town)
Trail description:
Starting point is the Tourist-Information office on the market
square (signpost “Freudenstadt Marktplatz”). You follow
the red rhombus of the trail “Mittelweg”
, pass by the
Town Church (“Stadtkirche”), cross one after another the
streets “Schickhardt-, Alfred-, Gärtner- and Rappenstraße”
and then turn into Wölperwiesenweg. Don’t walk down into
the valley, keep straight on Wölperwiesenweg and go over
the footbridge called “Bässler Brücke” into the
“Teuchelwald” forest. Follow the trail “Teuchelweg” for
approx. 1 km to “Waldcafé” (nice café inside the forest,
closed on Mondays), then walk up to “Agnesruhe” (shelter).
From here you follow the yellow rhombus
to the signpost
“Agnesruheweg”. Turn right into the small path
(“Hartranftweg”) until you come to the motorway L 405. Walk
along the road for approx. 150 m, at the bus stop you cross
the road and reach the car-park “Lauferbrunnen”. Cross
the road once again and use the broad forestry trail. At the
signpost “Skihütte Lauferbrunnen” you keep to the right
and follow the trail “Sauteichsträßle”.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
At the Sauteichhütte (signpost “Lauterhütte”) the “Baldenhofer
Graben” branches off to the left and leads through quiet idyllic
wood direction “Burgkopf”. That former irrigation ditch has
been used in 1625 to water 12 acres grassland). After approx.
1,5 km you come to a forestry trail, follow it for about 50 m
direction Waldhotel Zollernblick and Lauterbad, until the 2nd part
of “Baldenhofer Graben” branches off to the left. As soon as you
reach the ski-run, you walk across the meadow to “Waldhotel
Zollernblick”. Enjoy the magnificent clear view before you head
back to Freudenstadt.
(The shortest way to Freudenstadt is via “Palmenwaldbrücke”
and along “Lauterbadstrasse” and “Lossburger Strasse” back to
the starting point.)
Our tour continues on the trail “Plenterwaldpfad”: a few minutes direction Freudenstadt, and you will see the first symbol on a tree.
Follow it up to the hill “Kienberg” (799 m) (“Friedrichshöhe”). Here you have the opportunity to climb on the “Herzog-Friedrich”
tower (25 m high) where you have a wonderful clear view. Then you walk along “Frank-Buchmann-Weg”, at the signpost turn left
and then right to follow the winding trail down to “Park Courbevoie”. From there you follow the street “Lauterbadstrasse”, passing
the “Kurhaus” (civic centre and spa gardens), then you take the street “Lossburger Strasse” (passing the signpost “Reichsstraße”)
back to the starting point (“Freudenstadt Marktplatz”).
Points of interest:
Waldcafé (closed on Mondays)
Waldhotel Zollernblick
Kienberg hill with tower “Herzog-Friedrich” and Café am Friedrichsturm (closed on Thursdays)
Hotel Teuchelwald
Hotel Palmenwald
Kurhaus (Civic Centre) + Kurgarten (Spa Garden)
The words printed in bold and italics are the names of the signposts.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
2) Forest History Trail – “WaldGeschichtsPfad”
Distance: 9.5 km
Difference in altitude: 184 m
Walk in the tracks of long ago and learn many interesting things about the lifestyle
of the Black Forest woodsmen, charcoal burners and log floaters. Witnesses to
history are the “Kohlplatte” (an old charcoal kiln platform), a charcoal pile, the
“Teuchel” (a hollowed out log used for piping water) and the largest fir tree of the
Black Forest called the “Großvatertanne” (Grandfather Fir).
Description:
There are 18 information boards on display along the “WaldGeschichtsPfad” (Forest
History Trail) that document the historical forest industry with text and graphic. Hundredyear-old remains and true-to-original pictures can give you an insight to the hard and
miserable lives of the woodsmen. This trail leads past an old platform which long ago
supported a smoking charcoal kiln. The charcoal production was an important
prerequisite for the ore smelting in Christophstal near Freudenstadt. The hollowed out
logs joined together called “Holzteucheln” are worth seeing. They were used in early
days to convey water from the forest springs into the town. At another site, there are
crater-like holes in the earth left over from the search for iron ore. There are also traces
of where a Glass works from the Middle Ages once stood. You can also find good
explanations of what the trail and field names mean, for example the “Eselsteich”
(donkey’s pond) or the “Kohlweg” (charcoal trail), or find out who or what travelled over
the “Salzleckerweg” and the “Masselstraße”, and much more. At the end of the tour you
can climb the “Friedrichtsturm” tower, from which your efforts will be paid off by a
spectacular view over the town, the Black Forest and the Swabian Alb.
STARTING POINT: Tourist-Information Freudenstadt, Marktplatz 64
Tiefgarage Marktplatz (underground car park)
(Alternatives: Hikers parkings „Teuchelwald“or „Lauferbrunnen“ outside the town)
Trail description:
The tour starts at the Tourist-Information in the centre of the Market square. From
there just follow the Mittelweg trail (red rhomb with white centre
). Cross the
Loßburger street and go across the lower market square, past the fountains to the
Stadtkirche church. This is a unique church with its angled form and double towers.
Pass the church on the right through the narrow alley, crossing the Schickhardt-,
Alfred-, Gärtner- and Rappen streets, then turn onto the Wölperwiesenweg trail.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
After several meters to the right you will have a beautiful, scenic view looking down onto the Christophstal valley and to the Bärenschlössle historic
building with its crowstepped roof and its game reserve. Don’t descend into the valley, but continue upwards on the Wölperwiesenweg.
Go over the bridge, called the “Bässler Brücke”, into the Teuchelwald forest.
Here on the Teuchelweg trail is where the official WaldGeschichtsPfad (forest history trail) begins, which is marked with a special green
rhomb with a yellow corner. This symbol will lead you all the way from station to station. After a few meters you’ll already see the first
rhomb attached to a tree. Walk approx. 1 km on the Teuchelweg trail until you reach the Waldcafé, then go farther to the “Agnesruhe”
shelter. From there the trail leads on to the “Eiserne Hand”. A short detour turning right to the Forstmeister-Preu-Hütte is worth taking
before you continue towards the hiker’s parking lot “Lauferbrunnen”. From there you can experience a rewarding, scenic view overlooking Freudenstadt.
When you get to the “Lauferbrunnen” parking lot, follow the WaldGeschichtsPfad trail from the information booth to the “Großvatertanne” (Grandfather
Fir Tree). About 300 m past the Fir there’s another sign (“Masselkopf”), which will show you the way to the “Friedrichshöhe” and on to Freudenstadt.
Don’t miss climbing the Friedrichtsturm tower before following the red and black rhomb of the Ostweg (eastern trail
) leading over the “Gartengolf,
Park Courbevoie” and “Reichstraße” street to the Market Square (“Marktplatz”).
Points of interest:
mining museum (“Historisches Besucherbergwerk”)
(open May to Oct: Sat+Sun from 2 pm to 5 pm)
Shelter Agnesruhehütte
Shelter Forstmeister-Preu-Hütte (scenic view)
Grandfather Fir Tree (250-300 years old, proven to be the largest fir
tree in the Black Forest. 46 m high, Trunk diameter: 1. 64 m.)
Kienberg Mountain with Friedrichsturm tower
Cafes & Restaurants:
Café+Bistro Medico (closed on Sat)
Waldcafé (closed on Mon)
Café am Friedrichsturm (closed on Thur)
Hotel Teuchelwald (with sun terrace)
The words printed in bold and italics are the names of the signposts.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
3) Two Trails from Freudenstadt to Baiersbronn
STARTING POINT: Tourist-Information Freudenstadt, Marktplatz 64
Tiefgarage Marktplatz (underground car park)
The Tour I leads to the northern outskirts of Freudenstadt over the
sunny “Heideweg” trail to the edge of the forest. Then it leads on through
the woods past the “Friedensbaum” tree downhill to Baiersbronn.
Distance: 8.3 km
Difference in altitude:
131 m,
316 m
Trail description of Tour I:
At the Tourist-Information follow the Mittelweg trail (red rhomb with a white
stripe
) up to the northern outskirts of town (trail marker “Turmbräu,
Stadtbahnhof”): past the town hall down the streets: Forststraße,
Ringstraße, Hirschkopfstraße and Wildbader Straße. At the edge of town
turn onto the “Heideweg” trail, that leads through the meadowed landscape
up to the edge of the forest (trail marker: “Heide Herwig”). Look back at
least once to enjoy the beautiful view of Freudenstadt. At the edge of the
woods, follow the signs to Baiersbronn (still the same rhomb for the
Mittelweg trail). Walk to the “Spielplatz Hüttenteich” playground and
farther on to the signpost sites “Platten” (from here the blue rhomb
) and
“Surrbachkopf”. Here the trail takes a right turn and the blue rhomb leads
you past the “Birkleshütte” and at the “Hirschkopf” to the
“Friedensbaum” (tree of peace). This giant redwood tree was planted in
1871. Unfortunately the crown has been destroyed by lightening. You can
keep oriented by following the blue rhomb until the next site called
“Schönblickwegle”. From here on please keep to the yellow rhomb
and walk downhill. At the end of the footpath keep to the left until you reach
the sign pointing towards “Steinbruchhütte”. It continues downhill to
Baiersbronn over “Schönblick” to “Brunnenteich” and onto the
Panoramaweg Trail in the direction of “Ev. Marienkirche” church. Along
the way you can enjoy the spectacular view of Baiersbronn. It’s possible to
return to Freudenstadt by bus (from the church) and by train from the train
station departing at regular intervals.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
The Tour II at first is a downhill trail to the “Bärenschlössle” historic building with a
game reserve and then leads farther through the Forbachtal valley over
Friedrichstal to Baiersbronn. Return trip by bus and train is possible hourly.
Distance: 7.7 km
Difference in altitude:
139 m,
324 m
Trail Description of Tour II:
From the Tourist-Information the blue rhomb
first leads you in the direction of
the “Bärenschlössle”: cross the Lossburgerstraße street at the pedestrian stop
light. Leave the Market Square passing the fountains by going straight down the
Finkbergstraße street to the Rappenstraße street. Then keep right until you get to
the “Adlerterrasse (Adler-Anlagen)”, where a stunning view of the
“Bärenschlössle” historic building with its crowstepped roof can be seen. Follow
the signs downhill into the Christophstal valley to “Bärenschlössle”. From there
the trail is tarred where you continue in the direction of the “Friedrichtstal” valley
(yellow rhomb
). At the first intersection turn right onto the “Talsträssle” (the
sign is posted on a tree). Stay on this trail until you are out of the woods. (Signs:
“Fischweiher, Finkenwiese”). At the trail signpost “Rondell” take the hike and
bike trail to Friedrichtstal and Baiersbronn. After a short stretch in the trail you can
choose between taking a trail through the meadows or to go on the tarred road to
the “Fischerhäusle” (Fisherman’s house). From there it leads on past the “Alte
Schule” (old school) to the “Michaeliskirche” chapel. After that follow the signs
“Kendlesbrunnen, Steinäckerle” and “Reutewegle”. Approx. 400 m past that
sign you can decide whether you want to follow the yellow rhombs on a trail
through the meadows, or to stay on the tarred trail.
Public transportation:
To return from Baiersbronn to Freudenstadt take the S41/S31 train or the busses
21 (Mon – Fri) and F11 (Weekends).
Points of interest / Restaurants:
Bärenschlössle restaurant (closed on Tuesdays) with deer park
Gasthof zum Bad (usually closed on Mondays)
Fischerhütte (partly serviced) / Michaeliskapelle (chapel)
“Hauffs Märchenmuseum” Baiersbronn (fairy tale museum next to the church):
open on Mondays, Saturdays and Sundays from 2 pm to 5 pm.
Restaurants in Baiersbronn: for example Falken, Hirsch, Pappel, Rappen,
Rebstock, Café Rundblick, Talblick, Café Ziegler, Hotel Rose, Berghof,
Flößerschenke, Mühlbachstube…
The words printed in bold and italics are the names of the signposts.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
4) Historical boundary stones and idyllic glacial lakes
Distance: 15 / 28,3 km
Difference in altitude: 650 m
The words printed in bold and italics
are the names of the signposts.
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
This tour combines magnificent natural experiences and breathtaking
clear views with a touch of history. You walk along the historic border
trail that marked the boundary of the monarchs “Zähringer” and
“Fürstenberger” and different monasteries, and, until the last century,
separated Baden and Wurttemberg. The second part of the tour leads
further back into the past: the two idyllic glacial lakes “Sankenbachsee”
and “Ellbachsee” have been shaped during the last Ice Age and until
today they enchant their visitors.
STARTING POINT: Tourist-Information, Marktplatz 64
Tiefgarage Marktplatz (underground car park)
Trail description:
We start at the Tourist-Information office at the signpost “Freudenstadt
Marktplatz” and follow the trail “Mittelweg” (red rhombus with a white centre
) until Zwieselberg. Following the mark, we pass by the Town Church
(“Stadtkirche”), cross one after another the streets “Schickhardt-, Alfred-, Gärtner- and Rappenstraße” and then turn into Wölperwiesenweg. Don’t walk down into
the valley, keep straight on Wölperwiesenweg and go over the footbridge called “Bässler Brücke” into the “Teuchelwald” forest. We follow the trail
“Teuchelweg” (pass by the signpost “Hartranftweg”) approx. 1 km to the café “Waldcafe” (closed on Mondays). Via “Agnesruhe” we follow the Woodland
History Trail to the right uphill and reach “Eiserne Hand”. Via “Schwenke” and “Fliegerstein” we head for Zwieselberg. After 1 km, at „Finsterteich“, a steep
path leads to the left down into the valley of the river “Kleine Kinzig” (“Frauenteich”). At “Kinziglehütte” (720 m) we cross the footbridge “Kinzigbrückle” and
walk uphill on a narrow path via “Staig” and “Pfaffenwald” to the hotel “Hirsch” in Zwieselberg. Here we cross the street and follow the historic border trail
(“Grenzweg”) (blue mark
) until “Zwieselberger Eck”. Along the way, at intervals of 100 m, we can see old boundary stones, some with well-preserved coats
of arms. At “Buchwaldhöhe” (885 m) we have the possibility to walk up to “Hahnenhütte” where we can enjoy a wonderful view. Back at “Buchwaldhöhe” we
turn left, again on the border trail (“Grenzweg”, blue rhombus), to “Spindelhau” direction Kniebis. At “Auerhahnköpfle” we follow the border trail (“Grenzweg”)
to the right via “Mooswiese” (a short detour to the barbecue place “Abendwieshütte” is possible) and “Heide” to “Waldblick”. Here we turn right and walk up
the ski-run to the signpost “Lammlift” (yellow rhombus
). Here we find the new visitors centre Schwarzwaldhochstraße-Freudenstadt-Kniebis (TouristInformation office) with the lodge “Kniebis-Hütte” (restaurant). Now, half of the tour is done and we have the possibility to take a bus back to Freudenstadt
(busses 12 or 7266 (Monday-Friday) and F2 or F13 (week-end)).
Return to Freudenstadt (13,3 km):
We cross the B28 and follow the yellow rhombus
via “Stadion” and “Rankweg” to Ellbachseeblickhütte”. Here we can enjoy a fantastic view over the lake
“Ellbachsee” and the village of Mitteltal to the “Hornisgrinde” (the highest mountain in the Northern Black Forest, 1.164 m). We continue following the blue
rhombus
on the Native Trail “Heimatpfad” via “Seehalde” and “Buchschollen” to “Ochsenhardt”. Here we turn left via “Bucheck” to “Wasserfallhütte”
where we have a nice view. (It is worth to walk down the narrow path to the waterfall and lake “Sankenbach”.) The trail (blue rhombus) leads back to
Freudenstadt with a great variety of nice views. We pass the following signposts: “Weihermisse”, “Prof.-Endriss-Weg”, “Sandwaldhütte”, “Stöckacker”,
“Harrerbuckel” and “Wildgehege Bärenschlössle”. The restaurant “Bärenschlössle” (historic building from 1627, closed on Tuesdays) with its red deer
reserve invites us to have a rest. After that we walk over the bridge “Forbachbrücke” and then uphill via “Adler-Anlagen” back to the starting point
“Freudenstadt Marktplatz”.
Points of interest: Waldcafé / Hotel Hirsch / boundary stones / Hahnenhütte (view) / Abendwieshütte with barbecue place / Hotel Waldblick /
Kniebishütte / spring “Forbachquelle” / View to lake “Ellbachsee” / waterfall and lake “Sankenbach” / Bärenschlössle with red deer reserve
Proposals for hiking around Freudenstadt
map:
“Wanderwelten”, 1:30.000, € 4,90
available at the tourist information office, Marktplatz 64, Freudenstadt
Explanation of the new Black Forest standardized track signposting
Thanks to the many thousand kilometres of hiking tracks the Black Forest has always been a paradise for hikers. Due to a new track system, which has to
been implemented through nearly the whole of the Black Forest, now even more attractive possibilities have appeared to enjoy the fresh mountain air, the
overwhelming nature and the Black Forest Hospitality.
With the new direction signs we have made a big step from the signposting by each town to a so called destination signposting. That means that no
longer you have to follow red numbers, green dots or letters. Now a sign tells you what your exact position is and how far in which direction the possible
destinations are.
The new signs are very easy to read:
In the centre the name of each particular location is placed, above you can see how high above sea level (ü. N. N) it is. The destination on top is always
the name of the nearest signpost, our nearby destination. The next two destinations are interesting places or sights, which you can reach in the shown
direction. On the bottom the distant destination is printed, most of the time a location of big interest or the possible endpoint of a hiking tour with
connection to the public transport. Furthermore little emblems are to be found which tell you about bus and train connections, view points or places to
have a bite to eat and more. It´s also possible to find emblems of the theme tracks like the green deer for the „On the trail of the red deer“ track.
The central point of the new track system is the yellow rhombus. On the way from one sign to the next
you are accompanied by the rhombus. It informs you about the right direction on each crossing. As long
as you follow the yellow rhombus you reach the next sign where you can get new information.
The new system was supported by the „Naturpark Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord“ and with the assistance of
the „Schwarzwaldverein e.V.“, which will continue to use rhombuses in different colours. The famous
„Westweg“ from Pforzheim to Basel is marked by red rhombuses, the regional tracks are marked by a
blue rhombus. The “Mittelweg” is still marked by a red rhombus with a white centre and the “Ostweg”
with a black and red rhombus. The red and blue rhombuses sometimes replace the yellow rhombus. If
you follow one of these rhombuses, you are always on the right track to the next sign.
The words printed in bold and italics are the names of the signposts.