Klosterle Schleife Hike, Black Forest- A Beautiful Circular Trail

Tucked away in the northern Black Forest near Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, the Klosterle Schleife hike is one of the region’s most scenic circular trails. Part of the Genießerpfade (“gourmet trails”) network, this 10 km loop combines everything hikers love about the Black Forest: dense woodland paths, sweeping viewpoints, and the impressive Burgbach Waterfall. It doesn’t matter if you are looking for a half-day adventure or simply a peaceful escape into nature, the Klösterle Schleife offers a perfect balance of challenge and charm.

KLOSTERLE SCHLEIFE HIKE - WHY IS IT SO SPECIAL?

The Klösterle Schleife Hike in the Black Forest is one of those hikes that perfectly captures the region’s charm. Starting near the pretty town of Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, this loop trail combines the best of the Black Forest scenery with a sprinkle of history and culture.

You’ll wander through fragant pine forests, and cross small streams making you forget that you are close to civilization. Halfway through the hike you’ll see the Wallfahrtskirche Mater Dolorosa. Sit on a bench and just admire the beauty of the church.

The highlight of this hike is the Burgbach Waterfall, one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the region. This waterfall falls for 32 meters down a rugged rock wall and is surrounded by dense, mossy forest.

And you want to know the best part? This trail is not crowded at all! It’s hard to believe it since it is so beautiful. Trust me, you’ll not regret doing this hike!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE HIKE

HOW DO YOU REACH THE TRAILHEAD?

If you’re interested in doing the Klösterle Schleife hike during your Black Forest trip, you will need to have a car. Unfortunately, it is not possible to reach the trailhead of this hike with public transport. The trailhead is located at the Burgbach Waterfall parking lot, not far from Bad-Rippoldsau.

The driving times to reach the trail will depend on where you are driving from.

From Freiburg, it takes approximately 1 hour and 20 minutes.
From Baden-Baden, it takes 1 hour and 6 minutes.

Parking – The parking lot for this trail is quite decent in capacity. However, if the parking is full, you can park your car near the Mater Dolorosa church in Bad-Rippoldsau. The trail passes near it, so you will still be able to complete the hike.

Book your rental car with Rentalcars.com.

EQUIPMENT NEEDED

The Klösterle Schleife hike is relatively easy, so you don’t need any fancy equipment. The following will help make your hike extra enjoyable:

Comfortable Hiking Shoes. The trail is gentle, but sturdy footwear makes all the difference.
A light backpack, just big enough for your essentials.
Water bottle. Staying hydrated keeps the hike fun and easy.
Snacks or a picnic. There are some lovely spots to pause and enjoy a bite.
Weather-appropriate layers. We were really lucky with the weather during our trip, but the Black Forest can surprise you with quick changes in the sun, wind, or shade.
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 making sure you always stay on track.
Camera or phone. You’ll want to capture the beauty of this hike.

KLÖSTERLE SCHLEIFE HIKE

HIKE STATS

Trail Start/End – Parking lot near Burgbach Waterfall (exact location on map at the end of this post).

Distance – 7,9 km

Elevation Gain – 385 m

Level – Moderate

Route Type – Loop trail

Estimated Time Needed – 3 to 3,5 hours. You’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the views from the different viewpoints.

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 Klösterle Schleife Trail.

KLOSTERLE SCHLEIFE HIKE - STEP BY STEP GUIDE

Hiking Through The Forested Area

The first part of the hike is along the left side of the valley, through a forested area. You’ll have to cross the road that leads you to the trailhead, and you will do a soft ascent through the woods. Every here and there, the trees will open up, showing a small glimpse of half-timbered houses that are so typical from this area.

Bad Rippoldsau- Schapbach

After a few kilometers, the trail descends into Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, a charming little village known for its termal waters and hot spring that is surrounded by rolling hills. As soon as you enter the village, you will find a small ice-cream stand made derry from the area. The particularity of this stand is that it is left unattended and you’re supposed to pay through a small box (there is a camera checking that you actually pay). It is the perfect moment to take a break and enjoy a small snack.

After this small treat, the trail continues walking through the village and you will pass in front of the Mater Dolorosa pilgrimage church and cross the Wolfstal river.

Burgbachfelsen

The trail continues uphill on the other side of Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, through more forested areas. This part was my favorite of the hike. It was so peaceful and calm, surrounded by all the pines. Same as in the first part of the hike, every once in a while, the trees would open offering a view into the village.

At the end of this forest trail, the view opens up showing the Burgbachfelsen, a panoramic viewpoint offering beautiful views of the valley and the rolling hills surrounding it.

Burgbach Waterfall

From here, the trail descends into Burgbach Waterfall, which is without a doubt one of the highlights of this hike. This waterfall falls for nearly 32 meters down a rocky wall and it is completely surrounded by huge trees. It is definitely impressive to watch. We definitely took some time to rest and enjoy the beautiful sight in front of us.

Once you’re done enjoying the waterfall, there is a short 15 minute walk back to the parking lot.

OTHER THINGS TO DO NEARBY

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

Visit the charming town of Schiltach. Schiltach is in my opinion, the prettiest town in the Black Forest. It is full of colorful half-timbered houses and its city hall is really beautiful. While here, make sure to stop at Cafe Bachbeck Konditorei for a coffee and a piece of Black Forest Cake. You can’t visit this region and not indulge in it!
Allerheiligen Waterfall and Klosterruine. Another option is to drive north through the Black Forest High Road and visit the well preserved monastery ruins of Klosterruine Allerheiligen and the nearby waterfall with the same name.

ACCOMMODATION NEAR THE HIKE

The Black Forest is full of charming small hotels that offer beautiful views of the surrounding area. Near Bad Rippoldau, I would recommend staying Hotel Garni Caffé Räpple, which is conveniently located in the nearby town of Bad Peterstal. All rooms offer a balcony so that you can enjoy the views.

Photos from Booking.com

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

The Klösterle Schleife may not be the hardest hike in the Black Forest, but that’s exactly what makes it so special, it’s a gentle hidden gem, full of charming little surprises that will steal your heart away.

Have you done this hike? Or are you planning to include it in your next road trip through the Black Forest? Let me know in the comments. I’d love to hear from you.

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KLOSTERLE SCHLEIFE HIKE, BLACK FOREST – A BEAUTIFUL CIRCULAR TRAIL

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