Cross-path Freiburg - Bodensee: Buchenbach - Hinterzarten

Variant from Himmelreich

At the signpost location „Bahnhof Himmelreich“ we follow the yellow lozenge towards „Frauensteigfelsen (3.0 km)“. We briefly follow the driveway road at the B31 entrance and then stay on the path between Höllentalstraße and the railway line until „Zähringerhof“, where we cross the railway tracks. At „Beim Horneckdobel“ we ascend to the left on the path up to „Geishalde“. From here, we could continue directly to Pfaffeneck (0.8 km). A small detour of 800 m via the „Frauensteigfelsen (773 m)“ is well worth it because of the wonderful view over the Dreisamtal. Slightly descending, we reach the „Frauensteigsattel“. A wide forest road leads from here to the Pfaffeneck hut at „ Pfaffeneck “. Here we meet again the cross path ascending from Buchenbach.

Variant from Buchenbach

Before starting this stage in Buchenbach at the „church“ a short visit to the nearby bakery or small supermarket is recommended. Then we ascend Pfaffendobelstraße towards the destination „Hinterzarten (13.5 km)“. At the hiking parking lot we can refill water supplies at a fountain. The gravelled Bockmättleweg turns into a wide meadow path after the „Spielplatz Pfaffendobel“, which becomes a narrow path after crossing the forest road. On the further ascent to Pfaffeneck, we look back once more over Buchenbach.

From Pfaffeneck to Hinterzarten

At the large fork at „Pfaffeneck“, both hiking paths merge. Together, they continue ascending through the forest to the viewpoint Nessellachen at „Rösslehof“. The institution Timeout supports school-tired youths here in their personal development. After the Johanneskapelle we turn right towards the next farm and again to „Bei Nessellachen“. Through a sea of red and white foxglove flowers the narrow path winds to the junction of a wide gravel path at the location „Posthaldefelsen (975 m)“ – a small detour to the viewpoint into the Höllental is signposted. Another viewpoint is the Kleine Posthaldefelsen with a shelter hut. In the left curve we leave the wide path and pass several spring streams of the Breitnauerbach. At „Am Neuhof“ the path branches off to the right „over the Posthalde“ to Kaiserwacht and then to Piketfelsen (1040 m), the highest point on the hike. Passing by „Am Piketfelsen“ we walk straight ahead with views of Breitnau, reaching „Mittlere Ravenna“ at the entrance to the scenic Ravennachlucht. Straight ahead the now asphalted path leads past the „Haus an den Wildbächen“ and along the nature reserve „Hirschenmoor“ to Oberhöllsteig road, then left to „Birklehof“. Here we go under the busy B31 and then turn left past the Birklehofschule. The gravelled path continues parallel to the railway line and underneath it to the „Eingang Löffeltal“, turning left to „Hinterzarten/Zartenbachweg“ and onwards to the „Bahnunterführung Süd“. From the „Bahnhof-Kurhaus“ location, it is only a few meters to the Bahnhof Hinterzarten, the end point of the hike.