Scandinavia in the Black Forest

I think everyone knows this feeling: there are certain landscapes that captivate you and that you want to return to again and again. Glaciers, jungle-like forests, the vast sea, majestic mountains, steep gorges; the list could go on and on. Besides all the ancient, moss-covered forests crisscrossed by inviting paths, one thing in particular fascinates me in the Northern Black Forest: the high moors at Kaltenbronn.

The first time I explored the region, one of my summer hikes took me through the Wildsee moor . A long, straight boardwalk leads through bushes laden with blueberry blossoms, and although there were many other hikers that day, I thoroughly enjoyed the unique natural surroundings and felt transported back to the time when I spent a year as an au pair in Finland after graduating from high school.

Since then, some things have changed; for example, I've settled down in the region. However, my fascination with the moor remains unchanged, perhaps even stronger. After completing my training as a Black Forest guide, I seized the opportunity offered by the Black Forest Central/North Nature Park and undertook additional training as a climate ambassador. Of the six excursions that were part of the training, one day took us to Kaltenbronn, where we, as participants, learned about the incredible role moors play in climate protection . Together with staff from the Kaltenbronn Information Center, we spent the entire day there; a guided tour with these experts is highly recommended!

The Kaltenbronn Information Center, with its interactive exhibition, is definitely worth a visit, further enhanced by rotating exhibitions on fascinating topics. And the center's annual program offers a wealth of exciting guided tours and much more! Anyone who's been knows what I mean.

Peatlands make up only 3% of the world's land area. That's not very much at all. And yet, they have the capacity to store twice as much CO₂ as all the world's forests combined. This means that peatlands should play a crucial role in all our efforts to ensure a sustainable future for life on Earth. Currently, however, 70% of peatlands in Germany are used for agriculture and forestry. We therefore have enormous potential if we can re-wet parts of these areas.

My initial love for the "look" of the bogs, especially the Wildsee bog near Kaltenbronn, which is the largest raised bog in Germany, has blossomed into a genuine passion for the subject, about which I still enjoy learning more. I love visiting the bog in different seasons and at different times of day. Up here, unless there are many hikers around, there's a profound sense of peace. The hustle and bustle of everyday life, appointments and obligations – everything feels far away. My two favorite hikes are both linear routes. Bad Wildbad Take the bus up to the Kaltenbronn information center, then walk through the moor and back via the Walter-Speer-Weg trail to Bad Wildbad.

The other tour leads from Enzklösterle Take the bus up to the information center, then hike down from there along the Kegelbach stream and reach the blueberry village via the Schöllkopf platform. EnzklösterleThe tours always follow marked hiking trails, sometimes along very quiet sections.

In the summer of 2023, the raised bog was nominated for Germany's No. 1 Natural Wonder by the Heinz Sielmann Foundation and came in second place , which underscores the importance of the topic all the more. It has never been more relevant than now; in times of climate crisis, we need bogs as intact natural habitats for plants, people, and animals. I would be more than happy if we succeed!