5 stages hiking the ZweiTälerSteig – discover Germany’s Black Forest

The ZweiTälerSteig hiking trail takes you just over 60 miles (100 km) through the magical Black Forest in south-west Germany. You will discover pristine corners of the Elz and Simonswald valleys, wild gorges, thundering waterfalls and rugged rocks. It will come as no surprise to you that the ZweiTälerSteig hiking trail was named Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail 2019 by Wandermagazin, a hiking magazine.

collect a few vertical meters. Until you cross a landscape border at the Landwasser corner and immerse yourself in a gentle landscape with easy climbs, relaxed paths, and fantastic views. It was not for nothing that the ZweiTälerSteig was named „Germany's most beautiful hiking trail 2019“ by the hiking magazine.

The circular walk starts in Waldkirch in the Elztal, a small town whose name means ‘Forests Church’. You can reach this historic town, known for its mechanical organs, with public transport or by car.

From the town, you have a fair few vertical metres to climb. Ahead, lie over 13,100 feet (4,000 meters) of elevation gain so be prepared for some sweaty climbs. You will get a taste of what's to come on the first stage on the Kandel summit. However, your effort is rewarded with beautiful views over the Black Forest peaks from the Hornisgrinde to Belchen. After the Landwassereck, the route heads through more gentle landscapes with easy climbs, well-maintained paths, and wonderful panoramas.

At every stage destination, you will find accommodation to rest your legs for the night. You will also find plenty of opportunities to stop for regional cuisine en route. As the region has good public transport links, you can choose to only complete a few stages of this Collection – you can get to the start and endpoints by bus or train.

Let yourself be surprised by the varied landscape in the Black Forest on these five stages. The ZweiTälerSteig offers you an intensive insight into the region with its typical Black Forest courtyards, cozy inns, and views over the Rhine valley to the Vosges.

More and more people want to explore and experience the impressive nature in the Black Forest — whether by hiking, by cycling or on a mountain bike. But we as humans are only guests here in the Black Forest — and the animals and plants are our hosts. That's why #RespectForNature is mandatory for all nature lovers, because only with respect we'll preserve the Black Forest in its beauty for our descendants.

You can find out more about the #respectfornature initiative on our profile page komoot.com/user/schwarzwaldtourismus or at respekt-schwarzwald.info.