Outdoor
My tour of Dobel via the Schweizerkopfhütte to Bad Herrenalb
Author: Sophia Rossmanith
4 October 2021
How about taking public transport to your holiday destination again? Or leaving the car behind and hopping on a bike instead? Wouldn't an electric rental car or the well-developed local train and bus network also be a great way to explore the country and its people?
Visitors to the Northern Black Forest have many opportunities to travel the region in an environmentally friendly way. For example, the Konus guest card offers free travel on public transport , e-carsharing companies and e-bike rental services focus on green mobility, regional suppliers and direct marketers entice visitors with delicious delicacies from their own farms or neighboring communities, and numerous hotels, restaurants, and leisure facilities have also made sustainability a priority for the sake of the environment.
In 2016, the Northern Black Forest was officially recognized as a "Sustainable Destination ," certified by the Ministry of Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection and the non-profit tourism certification organization, Tour Cert. This was reason enough for me to take a closer look at the sustainable offerings and accommodations in the region and to address the following question:
Is it possible to go hiking in the Northern Black Forest and leave the smallest possible ecological footprint without sacrificing comfort?
I tried it and found – yes, it works! And very well, in fact…
The early hiker catches the sun
7:25 a.m.: I leave my accommodation, which is designated as sustainable Hotel ox in Courtyards...and I set off for the bus stop in front of the town hall. Just a 4-minute walk, during which I enjoy the tranquil little town in its magical morning stillness. Right on time at 7:33 a.m., bus 719 turns the corner and we travel for just under a quarter of an hour. Dobel, from where my approximately 4-hour tour towards Bad Herrenalb It's supposed to start. The bus is quiet this Thursday morning; only a few locals are out and about, using it just like me. extensive bus network of the Northern Black Forest.
Im town center Dobel Once I arrived, I checked my Outdooractive appI downloaded an offline map of the tour the evening before. I'll be checking the map several times during the hike to get my bearings – since I won't have cell service for much of the route, downloading it was definitely a good idea from the lady at the hotel reception. But it's precisely this lack of connectivity that makes the Northern Black Forest and its trails so special – a chance to switch off, forget about everyday life, and be offline for a few hours. For me, it's a welcome change and just what I need to fully enjoy the stunning scenery without any distractions.
9 a.m.: My tour begins at the stroke of the clock in the town center of Dobel and first leads me through the large sonnentor, which also marks the starting point of the 2nd stage of the Westweg marked. An asphalt path leads to the first station, the imposing water tower. From his Viewing platform at a height of 24 meters On a clear day, you can see as far as the Vosges Mountains, the Rhine Plain, the Palatinate Forest, and the Odenwald. However, I'm giving it a wide berth and turning directly into the forest. Numerous signposts mark the many hiking and cycling trails, but I'm following the red diamond marker in the direction of... Schweizerkopfhütte/Bad HerrenalbI'm already noticing how the forest changes with every step and every bend in the path – sometimes the sun shines through, bathing the leaves in a golden light, sometimes the path's edge is mossy, sometimes strewn with stones. Every now and then, you hear birds chirping; at times, you hear only your own breathing. Every few hundred meters, there's something to read or admire, especially the many mushrooms in all shapes and colors, which are widespread at this time of year. More than once, I have to stop to photograph these striking fungi.
10 a.m.: After about an hour, the path widens, and cyclists cross my path on the gravel track. It's nice to see such a diverse range of people here – from retired couples and young families to adventurous couples on multi-day tours with lots of luggage. I stop at a hut for a break and have a late breakfast.
Refreshed and invigorated, we continue towards the Schweizerkopfhütte – the signposts and the app suggest that it's not far now.
Two people are waiting a few meters in front of the hut. sun loungers to get the first real glimpse of the goal, Bad Herrenalb, to enjoy. Two carved wild boars keep me company. At the Schweizerkopfhütte Upon arrival, several other hikers were already using the spot to have a snack or rest. The view is magnificent.
Shortly after the Schweizerkopfhütte, fog began to roll in – lucky me, because just a few minutes earlier I wouldn't have been able to enjoy the panorama otherwise. I continued through the mystical landscape, following the tracks of two hikers, whom I used as my guide, thus confidently ignoring signposts and leaving my phone in my backpack. However, it's not really possible to get lost on this hike – after all, all the paths lead to... Bad Herrenalb. Or?
13 p.m.: And so it is after almost four hours – a few Hermitages and after a steep descent, I find myself in the Center of Bad HerrenalbOn my way to the final destination, the bus stop at the train station, I pass the charming little houses and walk past small Coffees, from which it smells enticing, and I pause briefly at an impressive Monastery complex dating from the 12th centuryArriving at the bus stop near the train station, I have some time to treat myself to a delicious chai latte and a well-deserved slice of cheesecake at Café Paradiso. Happy, refreshed, and a little tired, the friendly bus driver takes me to the... line X63 Then finally back to Höfen at exactly 13:43 pm – so there is still plenty of time to enjoy the afternoon in the wellness area of the Hotel Ochsen…
