One of my bucket list items in life has always been to hike in the Black Forest; the very same forest where Hansel and Gretel got lost. So during our drive through this part of Germany, we spent a few days exploring the area, and hiked the Feldberg Steig trail. We were in the very same woods where Little Red Riding Hood encountered the wolf and my heart couldn’t be happier.
Black Forest
The Black Forest, or Schwarzwald, is the forested mountain range in southwestern Germany. This area is known for its deep, dark woods features in the Grimm Brothers fairy tales, and its clocks. The landscape was heavily modified during the last glaciation, and as such, small glacial lakes can be found throughout the region. The mountains are generally steeper in the south and more gentle in the north.
Tourism is the main industry of the Black Forest and year round there is lots to do. There are a great number of hiking trails that are frequented in the warmer months, and a lot of areas to ski in the colder months. Additionally, the spa town of Baden-Baden offers some Roman style baths.
Feldberg Steig
Feldberg Steig literally means Feldberg Path. This hiking trail is 7.5 miles, or 12 km, and circles around Feldberg mountain and the Feldsee Lake, a glacial lake.
At 4898 feet (1493 meters) above sea level, Feldberg is the Black Forest’s high peak, and the tallest mountain in Germany outside of the Alps. Though it doesn’t take you up to the summit, you get to see glorious views of the surrounding forest and in clear weather, the Alps to the east. The trail takes you from pastoral settings with open fields of wildflowers to deep, dense and dark woods.
I’m used to hiking in the Catskill Mountains. There, you bring everything you need with you and carry it on your back. In Germany, hiking is a whole different beast. Every few miles, there is a guesthouse with a biergarten where you can stop in and get some refreshing beer and food. There are five different guesthouses on Feldberg alone. We had packed our own lunch and as we sat on a rock along the Feldberg Steig trail, we were wondering why people were giving us funny looks. Once we passed the first biergarten, we understood. By the time we passed the third, we felt kind of foolish. Hiking is so much more social and festive in this part of Germany!
There is a cable car, Feldbergbahn, that will take you right up to the mountain’s summit.
Where is it Located
Feldberg Steig is located within the Black Forest of southwest Germany. This trail takes you around Feldberg Mountain which is approximately 2 miles northwest of the town of Feldberg.
Maps
A great map of the Feldberg Steig trail can be found here.