Feldberg

1,494 m

Germany

Also known as Фельдберг

Фельдберг

Elevation: 1,494 m
Prominence: 934 m
Difficulty: 2/10; Hike
Best Season: Jun–Sep
Routes: 1

Routes

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The standard walk from Feldberg village: from the Haus der Natur (about 1,280 m) up the broad Feldbergsteig to the Seebuck with its tower and Bismarck monument (about 40 minutes), then across the open Grüble saddle to the Höchsten, the highest point in Baden-Württemberg. About 220 m of ascent; best continued as the 12.4 km Feldbergsteig loop past the Feldsee.

Elevation Profile

Distance: 3.5 km; one way
Ascent: +235 m; start → summit
High Point: 1,494 m
Time Up: 1h 18m; DIN 33466
Time Down: 1h 09m; DIN 33466 · same way back

Start at the Haus der Natur, the visitor centre of the Feldberg nature reserve on the B317 at Feldberg village, with paid car parks and the Feldbergerhof bus stop nearby. A steep start behind the building leads to the broad, well-made Feldbergsteig, which climbs the open pasture of the Seebuck past the top station of the Feldbergbahn (1,450 m) to the Bismarck monument and the Feldbergturm (about 40 minutes; viewing platform, fee). A steeper, narrower alternative branches off on the Westweg after about 12 minutes and crosses the high pastures of the east slope. From the Seebuck follow the wide, treeless ridge west over the Grüble saddle to the Höchsten (1,493 m), marked by the DWD weather station, the SWR transmitter and a viewpoint with a panorama board. On clear days, especially during winter inversions, the view runs from the Vosges and the Swabian Jura to the Alps from the Zugspitze to Mont Blanc. Return the same way, or complete the Feldbergsteig loop (12.4 km, about 500–580 m of ascent, 4.5–5 hours): descend past the St. Wilhelmer Hütte and Zastler Hütte to the Baldenweger Hütte, then follow the narrow 'real' Steig with small bridges via the Raimartihof to the Feldsee, a glacial cirque lake, and climb back on the Karl-Egon-Weg to the Haus der Natur. The loop is closed in winter (November to April), when avalanches can release on the steep north-east slopes above the Feldsee and the Zastler valley.

Start

Haus der Natur1,279 m

Feldbergbahn chairlift from Feldberg village to the Seebuck (top station 1,450 m)
Train to Feldberg-Bärental (Three Lakes Railway from Freiburg via Titisee), then connecting bus to Feldberg Feldbergerhof / Haus der Natur.
Parking at the trailhead

Stages

Day	Stage	km	m ascent	m descent	Time
1	Haus der Natur → Feldberg	3.5	235	23	1h 18m

Waypoints

Trailhead:
Haus der Natur1,279 m
Feature:
Feldbergturm1,447 m
Old tower on the Seebuck with viewing platform; Bismarck monument and Feldbergbahn top station close by
Summit:
Feldberg1,494 m

Key Passages

Feldbergsteig up the Seebuck
Feldbergturm and Bismarck monument
Open ridge over the Grüble saddle
Feldsee cirque (on the loop)

Equipment

0/5 packed

Technical

Microspikesicy north-facing paths after thaw-freeze cyclesRecommended
Snowshoeswinter, on the groomed winter walking trails onlyRecommended

Footwear

Sturdy walking shoes or bootsRequired

Clothing

Windproof and waterproof jacket, warm layerraw summit climate: annual mean about 4 °C, gusts up to 130 km/h in any seasonRequired
Sun hat, sunglasses and sun creamopen, treeless ridgeRecommended

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Overview

The highest mountain in the Black Forest and in Germany outside the Alps (1,493 m), a broad, treeless gneiss dome above the glacial Feldsee, with one of the widest views in Germany. An easy walk from Feldberg village, and a demanding place in winter storms.

The Feldberg rises south-east of Freiburg, its summit ridge running from the main top, the Höchsten (1,493 m), across the Grüble saddle to the Seebuck (1,448 m) above Feldberg village. The upper mountain is open, treeless pasture with a subalpine climate: the annual mean is about 4 °C, snow covers the summit about 157 days a year and has fallen in every month, and winds can reach 130 km/h at any season. Ice-age glaciers carved the cirque of the Feldsee, 33 m deep, below the Seebuck.

The mountain is heavily developed: Germany's largest ski area outside the Alps, a chairlift to the Seebuck, the old Feldberg tower, a Bismarck monument, the DWD weather station and the SWR transmitter on the summit. Yet it is also the oldest and largest nature reserve in Baden-Württemberg, with a ranger service and a visitor centre, the Haus der Natur. The panorama on clear days, especially during winter inversions, reaches from the Vosges and Hornisgrinde to the Swabian Jura and the Alps from the Zugspitze to Mont Blanc.

The ascent from the Haus der Natur takes about an hour on broad paths; the 12.4 km Feldbergsteig loop adds the huts on the north side and the Feldsee. Winter brings serious conditions: large avalanches release every year, especially into the Zastler valley.

Climbing Notes

In summer the walk to the summit needs only normal fitness, sturdy shoes, and wind- and waterproof clothing, as the weather on the open ridge can turn quickly. Allow 4.5–5 hours for the full Feldbergsteig loop, which has narrow, rooty sections near the Feldsee. Stay on marked paths and keep dogs on a lead in the nature reserve. In winter (November to April) the Feldbergsteig is closed: use the groomed winter walking trails, respect the red-marked closed zones, and remember that no avalanche bulletin is issued for the Black Forest although large avalanches occur on the steep north-east slopes.

History

The weather station on the summit has recorded observations since 1915 and has been staffed since 1937. The first ski lift in the area was built in 1907. The old tower on the Seebuck, originally a radio tower, has housed a museum since 2013. The nature reserve has had a full-time ranger since 1989 and has been run from the Haus der Natur since 2001. In January 2015 an avalanche killed two people, the most recent fatal avalanche on the mountain.

Season

Best Jun–Sep

January: Possible
February: Possible
March: Possible
April: Possible
May: Good
June: Best (best window)
July: Best (best window)
August: Best (best window)
September: Best (best window)
October: Good
November: Possible
December: Possible

Jan: Ski season; groomed winter walking trails only, closed zones
Feb: Ski season; avalanche risk on steep north-east slopes
Mar: Snow; Feldbergsteig closed
Apr: Snowmelt; Feldbergsteig closed until the end of April
May: Feldbergsteig reopens; old snow possible on north slopes
Jul: Busy; thunderstorms possible
Sep: Clear days with Alpine views
Oct: Inversions give the best Alpine views; first snow possible
Nov: Feldbergsteig closed from November; wet and foggy
Dec: Ski season begins

Access & Permits

Fees

Paid parking at the Haus der Natur and the Feldberg/Seebuck car park
Feldbergturm and Feldbergbahn: charged

Rules

Feldberg nature reserve: keep to marked paths in summer, dogs on a lead, no paragliding, hang-gliding or model aircraft, camping and fires only at designated places, all plants protected, cycling only on firm paths at least 3 m wide
Winter: red-marked closed zones must not be entered on foot or on skis; some summer paths close as wildlife refuges
Feldbergsteig closed in winter (November to April)
No swimming in the Feldsee

Getting There

Feldberg (Schwarzwald)

EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH); Zürich Airport (ZRH)

Train: Höllentalbahn / Three Lakes Railway from Freiburg via Titisee to Feldberg-Bärental, then bus to Feldberg Feldbergerhof (Haus der Natur)
Car: B317 between Titisee and Lörrach over the Feldberg pass to the car parks at Feldberg village

Hazards

Weather
Avalanche