An Overture
Feldberg is both the highest mountain in the Black Forest (1,493m) and the small settlement clustered at its base — the most elevated permanently inhabited village in the region. It sits roughly equidistant between Titisee (20 km northwest), Schluchsee (20 km east), and Freiburg (45 km northwest), making it an excellent base for accessing the widest range of southern Black Forest landscapes. The summit plateau is broad, open, and moorland-covered — distinctly different from the tree-filled lower slopes — with far-reaching views that, on clear days, include the Swiss Alps. In summer, Feldberg is a hiking hub; in winter, the downhill ski area (the most significant in the Black Forest, though modest by Alpine standards) and extensive cross-country trails draw winter sports visitors.
Top Things to Do
Feldberg Summit (1,493m)
Accessible by Feldbergbahn cable car (€16 return) from lower station to upper at 1,450m, plus short walk to the summit with Bismarck Monument and panoramic tower. On clear days, the Swiss Alps including Jungfrau and Säntis are visible to the south. Best clarity: Feb–Mar and Oct–Nov. Or hike up in ~90 min.
Insider tip — Check last cable car times before hiking; missing it means a steep 45-min descent.
SearchFeldsee (Glacial Lake)
One of the Black Forest's finest hidden gems — a perfectly circular glacial lake in a rock-rimmed bowl below the summit. 60–90 min hike from the lower cable car station through old-growth forest. No swimming (protected nature reserve), but the reflection of the summit walls is extraordinary.
SearchHerzogenhorn (1,415m)
Second-highest summit. Less crowded than Feldberg. Reached by hiking south from Feldberg across the Hochschwarzwald plateau. The classic trail from Menzenschwand through the Berggasthaus Krunkelbachhütte to Herzogenhorn is a half-day hike.
SearchFeldberg-Steig (Circuit Trail)
Official marked circular route around Feldberg's summit plateau (12 km, 3–4 hrs). Through moorland, forest, and open ridge. Passes the Bismarck Monument, Feldbergturm, and Feldberg Environmental Education Centre.
SearchSkiing & Snowboarding
Downhill ski area has ~12 km of runs on the summit slopes. Cheaper than Alps alternatives; good for beginners and intermediates. Snow holds into March in good years.
SearchCross-Country Skiing (Langlauf)
Extensive groomed cross-country trails around the plateau — free of charge once on the snow. A significant cost advantage over downhill skiing; the most popular winter activity among locals and German domestic visitors.
SearchMenzenschwander Waterfall (15 km south)
5-min walk from the Albhof am Wasserfall parking lot, OR a 30-min scenic hike from Parkplatz Menzenschwand Hinterdorf through a glacier-carved valley. Particularly beautiful in late spring at snowmelt.
Getting there — ~20 min by car south to Menzenschwand (15 km), or a regional bus to Menzenschwand.
SearchWalking Tours
Feldberg-Steig Circuit
The marked circular plateau route. Bismarck Monument, Feldbergturm tower, summit views, and the environmental centre. Well-marked; accessible to fit walkers without specialist equipment.
Feldsee Glacial Lake Descent
From the lower cable car station, descend through old-growth spruce forest to the perfectly circular glacial lake. Quiet, atmospheric, and significantly less crowded than the summit.
Menzenschwand → Herzogenhorn
The classic less-crowded alternative to the Feldberg cable car. Through Berggasthaus Krunkelbachhütte (mountain hut, food and beer) to the Herzogenhorn summit (1,415m).
Day Trips & Beyond
Titisee-Neustadt
Lake resort; easy afternoon escape from summit crowds. 20 km northwest.
SearchTodtnau
Southern Black Forest village; Todtnauer Waterfall (100m cascade). 15 km southwest.
SearchIbach & Hochkopf Lookout Tower
Lesser-known ridge with observation tower reachable by forest walk. Spectacular south-facing views; free parking. 25 km south.
SearchMenzenschwand Valley
Quiet glacier-carved valley; hiking; Menzenschwander Waterfall. 15 km south.
SearchHidden Gems
Herzogenhorn over Feldberg
Most visitors queue for the Feldberg cable car. The experienced traveler instead walks south from Feldberg to Herzogenhorn via the Krunkelbachhütte — longer route with equivalent views and a fraction of the crowds.
SearchHochkopf Observation Tower (near Todtnau)
Free tower on a forest ridge accessible via short walk from Waldhotel Auerhahn car park. Views south toward the Alps that rival Feldberg — typically zero other visitors.
Getting there — ~20 min by car via Todtnau (~15 km southwest), park at Waldhotel Auerhahn; buses reach Todtnau, but the final climb to the tower is on foot or by car.
SearchFeldsee at Sunrise
The glacial lake is at its most otherworldly in the 30 minutes after sunrise on a clear morning — mist rising from the water, no other visitors. Requires an early start before the cable car opens.
SearchIbach Valley Alps View
From the Ibacher Panoramaweg hike near Ibach (south of Sankt Blasien), the Alps are visible on clear days — a view most visitors associate only with Switzerland.
Getting there — ~30 min by car south via Sankt Blasien (25 km); buses reach Sankt Blasien and Ibach, though service is limited.
SearchFood & Dining
Mountain Fare
Restaurants
Where to Stay
- Budget · €
- Mid-range · €€
- Various
- Various
Practical Notes
Getting In
- By bus: Bus 7300 from Titisee-Neustadt station to Feldberg summit (40 min, runs regularly summer and ski season). Additional connections from Freiburg via Titisee.
- By train to Titisee then bus: Höllentalbahn S10 from Freiburg (50 min every 30 min), then bus to Feldberg.
- KONUS Card: Covers regional buses to Feldberg from qualifying accommodation.
- By car: B317 from Freiburg via Kirchzarten and Hinterzarten, ~50 min. B500/B31 from Schluchsee/Titisee direction. Summit area lots fill quickly on summer Sundays.
Getting Around
- Summit plateau: Walkable from cable car upper station.
- Herzogenhorn and Feldsee hikes: Start from the lower station area car park.
- Car essential for: Menzenschwand, Hochkopf tower, Ibach, and surrounding valley villages.
Cable Car & Weather
- Cable car cost: €16 return; only 175m elevation gain. Many hikers prefer ascending on foot and using the cable car only for descent.
- Last ascent: ~17:00; check online before hiking.
- Summit exposure: Bring a windproof layer even in summer. Temperature at summit is typically 8–12°C cooler than Freiburg.
- Winter driving: Snow chains legally required on summit access road in snow conditions; rental cars should carry chains.
When to Visit
- May–Jun: Spring wildflowers, uncrowded.
- Sep–Oct: Crisp air, alpine views without summer haze, dramatic foliage.
- Feb–Mar: Reliable snow and clearest long-distance Alpine views.
- Crowds: Midday Sat–Sun in Jul–Aug is the worst for summit congestion. Arrive before 09:00 or after 16:00.
Skiing
- Resort: Modest by Alpine standards. Beginners and intermediates well served; experts will find runs short.
- Snowpack: Increasingly unreliable below 1,200m.
- Cross-country trails: Free; 100+ km of groomed trails in good snow years.
Notable Insights
Cable Car Value Debate
- A contrarian view: Ali on Switzerland questions whether the €16 return is worth it given only 175m elevation gain. Her recommendation: hike up, cable car down, or skip it entirely and extend the walk to Herzogenhorn.
Views vs. Forest
- The atypical Black Forest: The summit plateau is treeless and moorland-covered — effectively alpine tundra. The Black Forest at its least "Black Forest", but uniquely atmospheric for that reason.
Cross-Country Skiing as Local Practice
- Free and extensive: The groomed cross-country trails around Feldberg are free to use and intensely popular with German domestic tourists in winter — a practice largely invisible to international visitors who only consider Alpine skiing. In a good snow year, 100+ km of groomed trails circle the plateau.