An Overture
Hinterzarten is a small, manicured resort village at 885m elevation on the Hochschwarzwald plateau — the Black Forest equivalent of a Swiss mountain resort village. It sits 10 km east of Freiburg and serves as the primary gateway for the spectacular Ravenna Gorge, one of the region's finest and most undervisited natural features. With a handful of upscale hotels, direct rail access via the Höllentalbahn, and an atmosphere of quiet prosperity rather than mass tourism, Hinterzarten is the ideal base for travelers seeking a more refined Black Forest experience. The village lacks a defined "old town" but compensates with immediate access to excellent hiking trails, the Ravenna Gorge circuit, and easy connections to Titisee and Feldberg.
Top Things to Do
Ravenna Gorge (Ravenna-Schlucht)
The single best reason to base in Hinterzarten — a deep, forested gorge with a 6.6 km loop trail winding over wooden bridges and beneath the spectacular 58m-high Ravenna Viaduct (1887). Regional trains pass every 15–20 min through which the engineering feat is visible.
Getting there — ~20 min walk down to the gorge entrance from the village, or a short S10 train hop; free parking at Hofgut Sternen if driving.
Insider tip — In December, lanterns line the gorge for one of Germany's most unusual Christmas markets; advance booking and shuttle bus essential.
SearchHofgut Sternen
Historic hotel at the entrance to the Ravenna Gorge. Hosted Marie Antoinette (1770) and Napoleon III. Complex includes Ravenna Viaduct viewing, Hausach Glassblowing Workshop, large traditional cuckoo clock with life-sized figures, and on-site hofladen selling cranberry jam and fir-tree honey.
Getting there — ~5 min by car or a 20-min walk down from the village; free on-site parking, or take the S10 a stop down the Höllental.
SearchHöllentalbahn (Devil's Valley Train)
The S10 from Freiburg to Hinterzarten/Titisee — a spectacular descent of 600m through cliff-face tunnels and along narrow ledges, crossing the Ravenna Viaduct. One of Germany's finest train journeys. Trains every 30 min.
SearchHochschwarzwald Plateau Trails
Starting point for multiple plateau trails: Zipfelbachschlucht (Zipfelbach Gorge), well-marked 8–15 km plateau loops through spruce forest and moorland, and trail access to Feldberg summit from the Hinterzarten area.
SearchAdler Ski Jump (Adlerschanze)
Hinterzarten has hosted international ski jumping competitions for decades. The Adler Ski Jump complex is visible from the village; the New Year's competition draws thousands of spectators.
SearchWalking Tours
Ravenna Gorge Loop
From the village (20-min walk to gorge entrance) or directly from Hofgut Sternen. Winds through dense forest over wooden bridges and beneath the historic Ravenna Viaduct, where trains pass every 15–20 minutes. Some uneven rocky ground.
Day Trips & Beyond
Hidden Gems
Ravenna Gorge in Winter
Snow-dusted forest and the viaduct in mist is one of the Black Forest's most evocative images. The Christmas market (December) is the most atmospheric version.
SearchHofgut Sternen Hofladen
The farm shop sells products made on the estate — cranberry jam and fir-tree honey are particularly unusual and make excellent gifts.
SearchTrain-Window Photography
On the Höllentalbahn, the Ravenna Viaduct section is the most photogenic stretch — sit on the left side traveling from Freiburg for the best angle.
SearchZweribach Waterfall
Less crowded than Triberg Waterfalls; a peaceful half-day forest hike.
Getting there — ~35 min by car west into the Simonswald valley to the trailhead, or a long marked trail from the Hochschwarzwald plateau.
SearchFood & Dining
Signature Dishes
Restaurants
Where to Stay
- Luxury · €€€€
- Mid-range · €€
- Mid-range · €€€
Practical Notes
Getting In
- Höllentalbahn S10: From Freiburg Hauptbahnhof; journey ~30 min; trains every 30 min.
- Ravenna Gorge from station: 20-min walk to gorge entrance.
- KONUS Card: Free regional transport at qualifying accommodation — covers S10 to Freiburg and bus to Titisee.
- By car: B31 east from Freiburg through the Höllental, ~35 min. Free parking at Hofgut Sternen.
Getting Around
- Walkable village center.
- Ravenna Gorge: Reachable on foot from the village (20 min walk).
- Car recommended: For Feldberg, Schluchsee, southern plateau hikes.
- December Christmas market: Shuttle from Hinterzarten train station due to parking limits.
When to Visit
- Sep–Oct: Atmospheric forest, minimal crowds.
- December: Christmas market (booking essential).
- Late spring: Gorge wildflowers, waterfalls at peak flow.
- Christmas market booking: Sells out weeks ahead — check schwarzwald-tourismus.info for booking details.
Practical
- Gorge accessibility: Uneven rocky ground and short scrambling sections; hiking shoes with grip recommended. Not suitable for pushchairs/wheelchairs.
- Accommodation cost: Hinterzarten's upscale reputation makes it pricier than nearby Titisee or Schluchsee. Worth the premium for Parkhotel Adler spa.
- Rainy-day contingency: Gorge walk is pleasant in light rain (forest canopy provides shelter); Hofgut Sternen glassblowing workshop is fully indoor.
Notable Insights
The Overlooked Highlight
- Better than Triberg: Multiple bloggers who've visited both rate the Ravenna Gorge as the superior natural experience — longer, wilder, with the viaduct engineering drama as a bonus. Yet it receives a fraction of Triberg's visitor numbers.
Historical Guest List
- Royalty and emperors: Marie Antoinette stopped here in 1770 on her journey from Vienna to Versailles. Napoleon III visited in the 19th century. Startling given the modest scale of the inn today — the Black Forest was a key transit route between France and Austria for centuries.
Höllentalbahn as the Perfect Introduction
- The ideal first activity: Several blogs suggest non-drivers experiencing the region for the first time should take the Höllentalbahn from Freiburg to Hinterzarten or Titisee as their very first activity. The route through the Devil's Valley introduces the Black Forest's dramatic topography, gorges, and forest density in a way arriving by car or bus does not.