The Black Forest in southwest Germany is one of Europe’s most enchanting landscapes. It is a region of deep green woods, sparkling waterfalls, and charming villages. While it stretches across more than 6,000 square kilometers, you don’t need to be an experienced trekker to enjoy its beauty. Some of the most impressive trails are short, scenic routes that can be done in just a couple of hours. In this guide, I’ll share the best short hikes in the Black Forest, Germany.
These trails are perfect if you’re short on time, traveling with children, or simply looking for an easy walk with big rewards. From waterfall paths to panoramic viewpoints, each hikes combines accessibility with the kind of natural beauty that makes the Black Forest so famous.
Wehter you’re a first-time visitor or returning to explore hidden corners, these short hikes are an ideal way to experience the magic of Germany’s most legendary forest.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
WHY CHOOSE THESE SHORT HIKES IN THE BLACK FOREST?
Short hikes in the Black Forest are perfect for travelers who want a taste of Germany’s most famous woodland without commiting to a full-day trek. They’re ideal for families with children, beginners looking for easy trails, or anyone on a tight schedule who still want to get a taste of what this region has to offer.
On average, these easy short hikes in the Black Forest range between 2 and 10 kilometers. Most can be completed in under 4 hours at a very gentle pace, with easy trails that are accessible to walkers of all ages. While a few include short climbs to viewpoints, the difficulty is generally low, making them excellent options for casual hikers.
Highlights of these routes include sparkling waterfalls, quiet forest clearings, panoramic ridge views, and charming half-timbered villages along the way. All of these trails are designed to be family-friendly short hikes in teh Black Forest, combining nature, history, and scenery in a way that suits every traveler.
THE 8 BEST SHORT HIKES IN THE BLACK FOREST, GERMANY
Hiking doesn’t always have to be a synonim of long distance and strenous trails. Sometimes a short and easy hike can reward you with breathtaking scenery, and the Black Forest in Germany is the perfect exemple of it.
To help you navigate this blog post, I have organised the hikes based on distance. Let’s not wait any longer and get on with our list.
1. WIEDENFELSEN AND GERTELBACH WATERFALLS
DISTANCE: 1,6 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 95 m
LEVEL: Easy to Moderate
ROUTE TYPE: Out & Back
TRAILHEAD/END: Small parking near Wiedenfelsen viewpoint
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 50 minutes (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
This route combines beautiful viewpoints over the rolling hills with cascading creeks, making it an scenic walk in the Black Forest. Right as you start the hike, the trail will take you to the Wiedelfelsen viewpoint, where you can gaze over the valley below.
From there, the path descends through the forested terrain toward the Gertelbach waterfalls, a series of small but charming cascades. Enjoy the peacefulness of the area before hiking uphill back to the parking lot.
2. GEROLDSAUER WATERFALL HIKE
DISTANCE: 3,1 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 97 m
LEVEL: Easy
ROUTE TYPE: Circular
TRAILHEAD/END: Geroldsauer Waterfall Parking Lot (near Baden-Baden)
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 2 hours (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
This short hike in the Black Forest is ideal if you’re looking for an quick, easy, and beautiful trail. The trail follows a gente stream through a lush ravine before leading you to the Geroldsauer Waterfall, a 9-meter cascade surrounded by greenery. Near the waterfall, you can get close to the water or admire it from a viewing platform.
The path is well-marked and shaded, making it a great option in summer. With minimal elevation gain and a round trip of about 3 kilometers, it’s perfect for families with children or travelers looking for a refreshing stop near Baden-Baden.
3. RAVENNA GORGE HIKE
DISTANCE: 3,2 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 208 m
LEVEL: Easy
ROUTE TYPE: Out & Back
TRAILHEAD/END: Next to the Ravenna Viaduct
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer. During Christmas, there is a Christmas Market next to it
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 1 hour and 30 minutes (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
Near Hinterzarten, the Ravenna Gorge trail takes you into a dramatic ravine carved by the Ravenna stream. The hike features stone bridges, rushing water, and dense woodland, creating an atmosphere that feels both wild and magical.
At about 3 kilometers, the hike is not too demanding, though the paths are narrow and there are a few occasional steep sections. This short hike in the Black Forest is especially popular during the Christmas seaso, when the nearby Ravenna Gorge Christmas market creates a fairytale setting.
4. ALLERHEILIGEN WATERFALL HIKE
DISTANCE: 4,2 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 97 m
LEVEL: Easy
ROUTE TYPE: Out & Back
TRAILHEAD/END: Allerheiligen waterfall Parking or Klosterruine Allerheiligen Parking (you can choose)
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 1 hour and 30 minutes (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
Known as the “All Saints Waterfalls Hike”, this trail near Oppenau is among the most popular short hikes in the region. The path connects the iconic Allerheiligen Waterfalls with the monastery ruins that have the same name (Klosterruine Allerheiligen). Along the trail you will see a series of seven cascades that tumble dramatically through a gorge.
At just a bit over 4 kilometers, the route is easily completed in around an hour, though we decide to linger and admire the beautiful area and the monastery ruins.
5. TODTNAUER WATERFALL HIKE
DISTANCE: 4,5 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 280 m
LEVEL: Moderate
ROUTE TYPE: Circular
TRAILHEAD/END: Todtnau center (near St. Johannes de Taufer Church)
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 2 hous (including plenty of time to enjoy the waterfall)
Looking for a quick but spectacular outing? The Todtnauer Waterfall is unbeatable. Located near Todtnau, this short loop of just 4,5 kilometers leads to one of Germany’s highest natural waterfalls, plunging 97 meters into a rocky basin. This waterfall was my favorite one too.
The path is well-paved and accessible, making it ideal for all types of hikers. Viewing platforms offer excellent photo opportunities, and the sheer scale of the falls makes it one of the most impressive yet accessible short hikes in the Black Forest, Germany.
And if viewing the waterfall from the trails many viewing spots is not enough for you, then you can also get an adrenaline rush and walk accross the Hangebrucke (hanging bridge). From here, you will get breathtaking views of the waterfall and the valley.
READ MORE: Todtnau Waterfall Hike – Black Forest
6. MUMMELSEE AND HORNISGRINDEPFAD HIKE
DISTANCE: 6,6 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 320 m
LEVEL: Moderate
ROUTE TYPE: Circular
TRAILHEAD/END: Mummelsee Parking Lot (it’s really big and impossible to miss)
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 2 hours and 30 minutes (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
Mummelsee is one of the Black Forest’s most iconic lakes, and this loop trail combines walking around the lake with a climb to the Hornisgrinde, the highest peak in the northern Black Forest.
The trail is well-maintained and easy to follow, offering a balance of forest paths, open views, and cultural stops like the Hornisgrinde tower where you can learn about the area. While the ascent adds some effort, it remains quite manageable and accessible to most walkers.
On clear days, the summit offers breathtaking panoramas stretching as far as the Vosges Mountains in France.
READ MORE: Hiking between Mummelsee and Hornisgrinde
7. KLOSTERLE SCHLEIFE
DISTANCE: 7,9 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 385 m
LEVEL: Moderate
ROUTE TYPE: Circular
TRAILHEAD/END: Burgbach Waterfall Parking Lot
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 4 hours (including plenty of time to enjoy the views and the waterfall)
Klosterle Schleife is a loop located near Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach and it is definitely a hidden gem in the Black Forest. The highlight of this hike is the Burgbach Watefall, one of the tallest free-falling waterfalls in the region at 32 meters. However, the Klösterle Schleife part of the trail is also quite special, winding through quiet forest paths and meadows.
Even though the trail is more long than the previous ones, it is still quite relaxed and can be completed in half a day (including plenty of time to rest and soak in the views). Because hiking for me is not about trying to complete the hike as fast as possible, but to enjoy the walk and really soak in the views.
This hike was, together with the Todtnauer Waterfall, my favorite in the Black Forest. It offers a well-balanced mix of nature, half-timbered villages, and it was not crowded at all!
READ MORE: Klosterle Schleife Hike in the Black Forest
8. EBERSTEINBURG LOOP
DISTANCE: 10 km
ALTITUDE GAIN: 394 m
LEVEL: Moderate
ROUTE TYPE: Circular
TRAILHEAD/END: Ebersteinburg Town
BEST TIME TO DO THE HIKE: Spring & Summer
ESTIMATED TIME NEEDED: 4 hours (including plenty of time to enjoy the views)
Starting from the village of Ebersteinburg, near Baden-Baden, this loop trails offers a little of everything: shaded forest paths, rocky viewpoints, castle ruins, and sweeping views of Baden-Baden and the Rhine Valley.
The trail will take you to the ruins of Hohenbaden Castle and Alt-Eberstein Castle, in which you not only be able to explore the remains of both castle, but you will also get breathtaking views.
Unfortunately, we only did a part of this trail due to time constraints, but the parts we visited were just amazing. I really wish I had allocated more time to complete this hike.
TIPS FOR ENJOYING THE BLACK FOREST
While hiking in the Black Forest is quite straightforward, a little preparation can make the experience way better. Here are some practical tips to help you get the most out of your adventure.
1. Choose the right season
I recommend planning your trip either in spring or autumn. However, you can visit the Black Forest all year round. Spring and summer bring wildflowers and flowing waterfalls, while autumn offers colorful foliage that transforms the landscape. In winter, some hikes might not be possible due to the snow and ice.
2. Pack light but smart
Even on short hikes, good walking shoes, a light rain jacket, and a reusable water bottle are essential. You might also consider bringing some snacks with you. Some trails do pass by a cafés or huts, but this is not always the case.
3. You'll need to have a car
Even though some hikes are accesible via public transport, there a few hikes that are only reachable by car. In addition, having your private transportation, will also allow you to optimize your days and reduce your transportation times.
4. Be careful of ticks
Ticks thrive in the Black Forest, and unfortunately, in this area, some of them carry Lyme disease. However, you should not panic, just practice some common-sense guidelines like staying withing the trail and always doing a thorough check for ticks after your hike and you’ll be fine.
MAP WITH THE 8 BEST SHORT HIKES IN THE BLACK FOREST
Here you can find the map with the 8 best short hikes in the Black Forest, Germany. Each hike is marked with a different color to help you organise your trip.
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.
CONCLUSION
Short hikes are one of the best ways to experience the magic of Germany’s most famous woodland. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, exploring quiet forest paths, or climbing to a panoramic viewpoint, each trail on this list proves that you don’t need an all-day trek to enjoy the Black Forest.
Have you tried one of these hikes, or do you have a another favorite Black Forest trail to recommend? Share your thoughts in the comments. I’d love to hear about your experience!
DISCLAIMER: Did you know? This blog uses affiliate partnerships. When you click and book or make a purchase through one of my blog posts, I may receive a small commission (at no extra cost to you). Thank you for supporting The Travelling Hiker!
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