Hiking From Mummelsee To Hornisgrinde

Hiking from Mummelsee to Hornisgrinde is one of the most popular trails in the Northern Black Forest. The route is short, easy to follow, and full of great views. You start at the calm waters of Mummelsee and walk up to the highes peak in the region. The path goes through forest trails and open moorland, and there are many places to stop and rest. From the top, you get breathtaking views across the Rhine Valley.

This hike is perfect for beginners, families, or anyone who wants a taste of the Black Forest’s beauty. In this guide, you’ll finde all the details you need for your adventures, including how to get there, what to expect, and tips to make your day on the trail even better.

WHY HIKE FROM MUMMELSEE TO HORNISGRINDE?

The hike from Mummelsee to Hornisgrinde is one of my favorite trails in the Black Forest. It is short, well marked, and easy to follow. The path takes you through calm forest areas and up to the highest peak in the region. From the top, you get wide views of the Rhine Valley, the Vosgues Mountains, and thre rolling hills of the Black Forest.

Mummelsee is a peaceful lake that is easy to reach by car or bus, so you can start your hike without any stress. There are cafés, rest areas, and information boards around the lake tha make the start of your trip simple and comfortable.

This route shows the best of the Black Forest in just a few hours. It combines a clear mountain lake, quiet woods, and high viewpoint that is easy to reach.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIKE

HOW DO YOU REACH THE TRAILHEAD?

Mummelsee is easy to reach by car or public transport. It lies along the Black Forest High Road, also called the Schwarzwaldhochstraße (B500), between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt. The drive itself is very scenic and takes you through forest and mountain views.

If you come by car, theres is a large parking area right next to the lake. Parking is free, but ican get busy on weekends and holidays, so it is best to arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon.

You can also reach Mummelsee by bus. There are regular connections from Baden-Baden, Achern, and Seeback. The bus stop is close to the lake, and from there you can start your hike straight away.

Book your rental car with Rentalcars.com.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

The hike is quite easy so you don’t really need any specific equipment. However, the following things can make your hike more enjoyable.

Hiking shoes. Hiking shoes with a good grip are always recommended when hiking, especially it has recently rained.
Weather appropriate layers. You never know which weather you are going to get when hiking. Layers will help you be prepared for all kinds of weather.
GPS App like AllTrails. The trail is very well marked and almost impossible to get lost. However, it is always better to be safe and have a way of always staying on track.
Camera or phone. You will not want to leave with taking plenty of photos of this waterfall.

WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT?

The best time to visit is from May to October, when the trails are dry and the weather is mild. In winter, the area can be covered in snow, and some paths may be closed, but it is still a nice place for a short walk around the lake and a warm drink next to it.

MUMMELSEE TO HORNISGRINDE HIKE

HIKE STATS

Trail Start/End – Parkin next to Mummelsee. The parking is quite large but it is smart to arrive early

Distance – 6,6 km

Elevation Gain – 320 m

Level – Moderate

Route Type – Loop trail

Estimated Time Needed – 3 hours. You’ll have plenty of time to relax and enjoy the views.

Best Time To Visit – Spring or Fall, to get the most favorable weather conditions and fewer crowds.

HIKE MAP

I always use the AllTrails App during my hikes. The app has a GPX map that can help you stay on the right trail during your hikes. For this hike, we followed the Mummelsee – Hornisgrindepfad Trail.

MUMMELSEE TO HORNISGRINDE - STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Walking around Mummelsee

The hike begins with a nice walk around the lake. There is a short walking path that follows the lake’s shore and with different spots to stop, relax, and enjoy the views. The water is calm, and the area is quiet and relaxing.

If you feel like doing something extra, you can rent a pedal boat to see the lake from a different perspective. The boats are available for rent during the summer months between 10:00 and 18:00.

Hiking to Hornisgrinde

Once you’ve completed your loop around Mummelsee, it is time to start hiking uphill towards Hornisgrinde. The first part of the hike goes through a forested path. As you climb higher, the trees become thinner, and you start to see the open landscape of the Hornisgrinde Plateau.

At about half way of the climb, you can take a short detour to a viewpoint that will grant you beautiful views of the Lake from above.

Hornisgrinde Plateau

After about one hour, you will reach the top of Hornisgrinde, the highest spot in the Northern Black Forest at 1164 meters. The top area is flat and easy to walk, with wooden paths, small moorland areas, a wind turbine, and wide views in every direction. The are small signs that explain the nature and history of the moorland.

Here you can visit the the Bismarck Tower of the Dreifürstentstein, which marks the meeting poing of three historical regions. You can also sit down and relax at the few benches available where you can enjoy the view over the Rhine Valley, the Vosgues Mountains, and the hills of the Black Forest stretching into the distance.

The Descent to Mummelsee

Once you’re done enjoying the views, it is time to return to Mummelsee. To do so, you can trace back your steps and walk back the way you came. However, I recommend, following the trail and making it a circular route. The descend is quite relaxed and you will arrive at the end of the parking lot.

At Mummelsee you can head to a different destination, or rest while you enjoy a drink next to the lake.

OTHER THINGS TO DO NEARBY

Looking for ideas to do after your hike? Here are some recommendations to complete your day.

Visit Baden-Baden. Located only 40 minutes away from Mummelsee, the town of Baden-Baden is the perfect place to spend the rest of your day. It is full of charming spots and you can even complete your day with a relaxing afternoon at the spa.
Visit Geroldsauer Waterfall. Geroldsauer Waterfall is a cute waterfall near Baden-Baden. The trail to the waterfall is short and easy to walk. It follows a small stream through a green forest and ends at the waterfall, where you can just sit, relax and enjoy the views.

ACCOMMODATION NEAR THE HIKE

Looking for some accommodation near the hike? I get it, after hiking and enjoying the area, you don’t always feel like driving long distances to your accommodation. Here are some hotels I recommend near Mummelsee.

Hotel Faxe Schwarzwalder Hof

Faxe Schwarzwalder Hof is a family-run hotel located only 7 km away from Mummelsee.The hotel is very charming and comfortable. Perfect to relax after a day of exploring the area.

Photos from Booking.com

Rechtmurg 27

This hotel was my favorite of the whole road trip, it was so comfortable and peaceful. The rooms were very spacious and comfortable had a beautiful terrace with views. Breakfast was also delicious! Would have loved to stay here a bit longer.

MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS

HOW TO USE THIS MAP: Click the star next to the map title to add this map to your google maps account. To view it on your phone while traveling, open Google Maps, click on the menu button and go to “Your Places”, click on Maps and you’ll see this map in your list.

HIKE SUMMARY AND INFOGRAPHIC

CONCLUSION

Hiking from Mummelsee to Hornisgrinde is a great way to enjoy the nature and views of the Northern Black Forest. As you can see, the trail is easy and offers wide panoramic views from the top.

Have you done this hike? Are you planning on doing it? Let me know what you think in the comments sections!

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HIKING FROM MUMMELSEE TO HORNISGRINDE – A STUNNING BLACK FOREST TRAIL

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