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Schluchtensteig

Quality hiking trails in the Black Forest

Gnarled trees, gigantic ferns, and precipitous cliffs are frequent sights along the hiking tour of the Schluchtensteig in the southern Black Forest. Moreover, you will encounter lofty heights and enigmatic depths, often in close proximity to each other. The southern part of the Black Forest reveals its rugged and untamed nature during the hike. Completing the entire Wutach Gorge will culminate in a rewarding panorama of the nearby Schluchsee.

The trail is approximately 119 km in length and wides through a variety of natural features. You'll also see inspiring waterfalls, rugged cliffs and diverse plant life all at the heart of the popular Black Forest (Schwarzwald) region.

Details about the walking holiday in the Black Forest and the Schluchtensteig

Here the name says it all. The hiking week in the Black Forest does not fall under the category of mountain hiking for nothing. On eight days, you explore narrow paths and trails on this tour, where it's steep downhill left and right, and you are right in the middle of the action.

On day four, you pass the ruins of the "Räuberschlössle" (Robber's Castle) and hike through the Haslach Gorge. From here, a steep path leads up serpentine after serpentine until you finally arrive in Lenzkirch.

In the middle of the week, you reach the highest point of the hiking tour as you head towards St. Blasien. From Krummenkreuz, always downhill to the Bannwald gorge, where small bridges and stony paths line the way.

The highlights of the Black Forest and the Schluchtensteig holiday at a glance:

  • Schluchsee: The reservoir in the municipality of the same name is an original glacial lake that was around 30 metres below that of today's lake. It was only when the Schwarza was dammed that the Schluchsee was formed.

  • St. Blasien Cathedral: With a diameter of 36 metres and a height of 62 metres, the dome is the third largest of its kind in Europe.

Interesting facts about hiking holidays through the Black Forest and the Schluchtensteig

The Schluchtensteig leads you over eight days along marked hiking and forest trails through the most beautiful areas along the trail. For some descents, such as through the Wutach Gorge, you need surefootedness and good shoes.

If your basic fitness level is not yet the best, we recommend an endurance programme or a few training sessions before you start your journey. This way, you will manage every ascent and descent with ease!

The Schluchtensteig is a Quality Hiking Trail in Germany and ranks alongside the Rheinsteig, Rennsteig and Eifelsteig in terms of hiking routes.

This tour has been graded as Trekking. Find out more about our walking holiday difficulty levels.

Tour information
Challenging
  • 8 Days / 7 Nights
  • Self-Guided
  • Luggage transfers included
  • Total walking distance: approx. 123 km
Active on Holiday Team
+44 1706 618 155 Contact
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Itinerary

Hohenlupfen Castle overlooks the small town of Stühlingen where you start your hiking week. You follow the Wutach river and reach a very pristine section. Gnarled trees, gigantic ferns and steep cliffs guide you through the eastern part of the Wutach Gorge to Blumberg.

approx. 5 – 6 h
approx. 18 km
600 m
340 m

Narrow paths wind through the Wutach Gorge, which you will hike through almost completely today. The water is not always visible; in some places the Wutach seeps into underground passages, only to gurgle into the daylight again in other places. Almost at the end of the gorge, you will reach the small Schattenmühle country inn where you will spend the night.

approx. 6 h
approx. 25 km
475 m
455 m

After the gorge, you will be high up today. You pass the ruins of the "Räuberschlössle" (Robber's Castle) and hike into the Haslach Gorge. From here, a steep path leads out of the gorge in serpentines and shortly afterwards you reach Lenzkirch. Enjoy the vastness after the long stages in the gorge. Soon the small village of Oberfischbach comes into view.

approx. 6 h
approx. 18 km
700 m
330 m

The tour leads over smaller hills, soon you can admire the sparkling Schluchsee. From here, steadily uphill until you pass the highest point of the hiking tour. From the Krummenkreuz, the trail goes downhill again into the Bannwaldschlucht gorge. On rocky paths and over small bridges you reach St. Blasien.

approx. 6 h
approx. 20 km
445 m
740 m

Again, the route is steeply uphill at first. You climb the Lehenkopf, admire the cathedral of St. Blasien once again and finally reach the Dachsberg.

Now you descend into the Hotzenwald. Mountain meadows, heath fields and beautiful farmhouses now accompany you on your way to the Hochwehraschlucht gorge. You cross it and reach Todtmoos.

approx. 6 h
approx. 19 km
620 m
560 m

You continue hiking through the Wehraschlucht gorge - a true natural paradise and a wonderful end to your hiking week. After a few kilometres you reach the Mettlerhütte with a view of the nearby peaks of the Swiss Alps. Today's destination is the castle park of Wehr, where the Schluchtensteig comes to an end.

approx. 7 h
approx. 23 km
580 m
1'020 m

Route information

The Schluchtensteig leads along well-marked hiking and forest paths and is easy to walk. Surefootedness is necessary for some descents (e.g. Wutachschlucht). Good basic fitness is required for the sometimes long stages and for the many ascents and descents.

Prices and dates

Prices are per person in GBP and exclude flights


Complete a Booking Request: Schluchtensteig

Make an enquiry about 2024 arrival dates and prices for this tour

Prices and services may vary depending on the travel year
Select travel year:
Place of arrival: Stühlingen
  Season 1
15.04.2023 - 12.05.2023
23.09.2023 - 15.10.2023

Daily
Season 2
08.04.2023 - 14.04.2023
13.05.2023 - 22.09.2023

Daily
Schluchtensteig, DE-SWWSW-08X
Base price
699.00
749.00
Single room surcharge 149.00 149.00

Category: Country inns and middle-class hotels

Season 1
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 - Oct 15, 2023
Daily
Season 2
Apr 8, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
May 13, 2023 - Sep 22, 2023
Daily
Schluchtensteig, DE-SWWSW-08X
Base price
Single room surcharge
699.00
149.00
749.00
149.00

Category: Country inns and middle-class hotels

Season 1
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 - Oct 15, 2023
Season 2
Apr 8, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
May 13, 2023 - Sep 22, 2023
Stühlingen
Double room p.p
Surcharge single room
Wehr
Double room p.p
Surcharge single room
65.00
25.00
65.00
25.00
65.00
25.00
65.00
25.00
Additional nights
Place of arrival: Stühlingen
  Season 1
Apr 15, 2023 - May 12, 2023
Sep 23, 2023 - Oct 15, 2023

Daily
Season 2
Apr 8, 2023 - Apr 14, 2023
May 13, 2023 - Sep 22, 2023

Daily
Stühlingen
Double room p.p 65.00 65.00
Surcharge single room 25.00 25.00
Wehr
Double room p.p 65.00 65.00
Surcharge single room 25.00 25.00
Prices per person in GBP

Services / Information

Services

Included:

  • 7 overnight stays incl. breakfast  
  • Daily luggage transfers 
  • Carefully elaborated route description 
  • Detailed travel documents (1x per room) 
  • GPS data available 
  • Service hotline 

Note:

  • Tourist tax, if due, is not included in the price!
Information

Arrival/Departure:

  • Parking: unattended parking places in Stühlingen. No reservations are possible.
  • Arrival by train to and from here with the bus in 30 minutes to Stühlingen.
  • Return journey by train from Wehr to Lauchringen and by bus to Stühlingen. Duration: approx. 2 hours
  • Return transfer possible. £199 per ride (max. 3 people). Reservation needed, payable in advance.

Other important information: 

  • The distance travelled is approximate and may differ from the actual distance.  
  • Travel cancellation insurance, including travel interruption insurance is recommended.