Walking and Wellness in the Black Forest

If you’re looking for a few days of relaxation surrounded by a wonderful natural environment then this tour is perfect for you. Experience the perfect mix of comfort and wellness with a stay at the 4* Spa Hotel Roßle and daily exercise in the fresh forest air. You’ll also get to experience what the Black Forest has to offer in terms of culinary excellence. You’ll quickly see that the area has so much more to offer than just cuckoo-clocks and cake!

Slower Adventures | Where walking and cycling meet easy-going exploring, our Slower Adventures are the perfect combination. Most days are filled with picturesque journeys with some free time to dive into the destination and experience the people, local food and culture as you go.

Single Centre Walking | Stay in one location throughout your trip, exploring the region with a mix of loop and point-to-point walks and with time to discover an area, town, or village in-depth.

Solo Travellers, Families with Teens

The minimum age for this tour is: 12 Years

This tour involves some easy and sometimes more difficult sections, which is why we have classified it as moderate overall. The walk by the Schluchsee is relatively short (10km) and completely flat, so is pretty easy going. On the walk from St. Blasien to Todtmoos, there is a lot of undulating terrain which is more demanding and the distance is considerable (20km). However you will be rewarded with panoramic views for your efforts! The loop walk around Todtmoos is again relatively short (12km), but there is significant ascent and decent involved (around 500m up and down). Generally you should be in good shape to get the most from this tour. You will be walking on a mixture of narrow trails and wide forest tracks.

You should be in good shape to get the most from this tour. All walks are optional and since this is a single centre trip, therefore it is ideal if some people in your party want to walk and some don't. Those not wanting to walk can spend the day relaxing and using the hotel's facilities. 

Stay 4 nights in the high-quality, friendly 4* Spa hotel, the Hotel Rößle. Your hosts, the Maier Family, are waiting to welcome you. This modern hotel offers traditional hospitality and a special atmosphere. The quiet and idyllic location, the cosy dining room, great food, and extensive wellness/spa offerings all combine to make this an unforgettable stay. Please be aware that German ‘twin rooms’ (Doppelzimmer in German) are typically 2 single mattresses side by side in one double bed frame with two separate duvet covers and pillows.

Single Rooms & Solo Walkers

This trip is available to solo walkers and a supplement is payable. Single rooms are available should some of your party wish to have their own room and again, a single supplement is payable.

Wellness and Spa

For the duration of your stay you have free access to the wellness/spa area of the hotel. Called the ‘Black Forest Wellness Village’, the spa area is 350m2 in size and includes a Finnish sauna, a Roman steam bath, jacuzzi, experience shower, sunbed, relaxation room and an indoor swimming pool. In case you would like any special spa treatments, massages, for example, these can be arranged and paid for directly at the hotel. 

Wellness Area Opening Times

Sauna area: 2pm-8pm
Indoor pool: 7-8.30am & 10am –10pm

Meals

4 continental breakfasts are included. This is in buffet form and there are many filling breakfast items available which are perfect for hikers; e.g. boiled eggs, ham, cheese, fresh bread and muesli. Lunch is not included and can be picked up at local supermarkets or ‘Backerei’ along the way. Your accommodation will also be able to provide you with a packed lunch for the day, be sure to book the night before (payable locally, approx. 5 euros per person). Dinners are included, and your hotel also has an onsite restaurant. In Germany, traditional food is hearty and filling. In the region of the Black Forest you will likely find the following ubiquitous food  everywhere you go! ‘Käsespätzle’ is a kind of eggy pasta (made from flour, eggs, water and salt) topped with melted cheese and sometimes crispy fried onion– it’s the ultimate comfort food! April to June is asparagus season and you will find this vegetable on just about every menu during this time. It is often served with Kartoffeln (potatoes), Schnitzel and/or a rich cheesy sauce. Schwarzwälder Schinken is the locally produced smoked ham and is matured usually for at least 3 months, leading to its rich and strong flavour. Black Forest gateau (Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte) has to be the food that is most associated with the Black Forest. This deliciously moist cake is made up of layers of chocolate sponge, spread with whipped cream and cherries between each layer, topped with even more cream, cherries and chocolate. The recipe varies from café to café ensuring you’ll never get bored of it.

Culinary hike on the Lebküchlerweg trail

The people of Todtmoos have always been known as Lebküchler - a hiking trail has been named after them, it is characterised by wonderful viewpoints. You will also be spoilt with culinary delights. After an aperitif, the trail leads past the Stricker Kepelle to the small but romantic Todtmoos waterfall. Cross various bridges to the Rüttepavillon and follow a rustic forest path to the Panoramaweg, which leads to the Hochkopfhaus with its beautiful views. Along the way, you have various opportunities to take a break and enjoy a snack from the rucksack provided. From Hochkopf, the trail descends through picturesque meadows to Kirchberg and Todtmoos and past the pilgrimage church. In a traditional Black Forest café, you can enjoy home-made sweet delicacies before it's time for another ascent through the Rabenschlucht gorge back to the Hotel Schwarzwaldgasthof Rößle. 

The hike is possible from the beginning of May to the end of October, daily except Wednesdays and Thursdays - in April and November you can of course also explore the Lebküchlerweg on your own.

The chosen walks are very well way-marked, and together with our maps, route notes and the Macs Adventure Smartphone App enabling you to follow the route using your phone's GPS, you will have no problems finding the way.

This walk is available to start on any day of the week from May to the end of October. Any time within this period is ideal for walking. 

The weather in the Black Forest is changeable. Very hot days are often followed by rain and thunderstorms. Therefore you should be prepared for all weather eventualities. Check the weather report each day locally before setting off for your hike.

Fly into Basel Euro Airport and then take a taxi to Basel Badischer Bahnhof (approx. 10 minutes). Basel has two train stations, the Basel SBB services Swiss and French destinations whereas the Basel Badischer Bahnhof services German destinations. From Badishcer Bahnhof, take a train to Bad Säckingen (approx. 30 mins). From here take bus no. 7320 or 7328 to Todtmoos (twice daily). Alternatively, we can organise a private transfer direct from Basel Airport to Todtmoos (approx. 45 mins, prices on request). Check train and bus timetables at the following website: www.bahn.de

Use one of the options mentioned above to return home. If you have more time to explore Germany, why not take a look at one of our other Germany Walking Adventures? Just ask us for more information.