Black Forest–Jura–Lake Constance Trail

1st stage: St. Georgen – Kirneck Ruins – VS-Villingen – Observation Tower on the Wanne – Bad Dürrheim (15 mi)

Sankt Georgen in the Black Forest is the starting point of this long-distance trail at the highest railway station on the Black Forest Railway. From the Brigach valley, we climb up to the Stockwald and hike past the Salvest game reserve to the Ganter monument. After the Kirnach flows into the Brigach, we continue along the Brigach valley, past the Kirnach station house, through the spa park and the medieval town center of Villingen. The best views of Villingen can be enjoyed from the observation tower on the Wanne. Passing the Berthold farms and over the Villinger Mountain, we reach the destination of the first stage: Bad Dürrheim.

2nd stage: Bad Dürrheim – Sunthauser Lake – Waldhorn Hut – Öfingen – Osterberg – Immendingen (14 mi)

The town of Bad Dürrheim is a climatic health resort and the highest located “saltwater spa” in Europe. From the "House of the Guest,” we hike past the spa park and the fastnacht museum “Narrenschopf” to the old saltworks building with its two salt well towers from 1897. The trail climbs up to “Hirschhalde” and then across open terrain to Sunthauser Lake. Wide views of the Baar region open up near the Waldhorn Hut and again on the descent to Öfingen. The last part of this stage goes over the forested Osterberg and the Amtenhauser Mountain to the destination Immendingen.

3rd stage: Immendingen – Danube Sinkhole – Höwenegg – Mauenheim – Hegaublick – Neuhewen – Stetten – Zimmerholz – Engen (14 mi)

In Immendingen, we reach the Danube, whose source streams Brigach and Breg sink completely into the porous Jurassic limestone of the Swabian Jura up to 150 days a year. Geographically, we leave the Baar and enter the Hegau, a landscape shaped by numerous tertiary volcanic cones. The local poet Ludwig Finckh called it the “Lord’s bowling alley.” We pass the northernmost Hegau volcano, the Höwenegg. Since no basalt is quarried here anymore, a natural, picturesque lake has formed. Höwenegg is known for numerous fossil finds. Via the Daxmühle and the Immendingen district of Mauenheim, we reach the A81 highway and finally the Hegaublick, the most beautiful viewpoint over the volcanic mountains. The highest is the Neuhewen at 2,844 ft. The former Stetten castle stands at its summit. Through the districts Stetten and Zimmerholz, we reach the picturesque old town of Engen.

4th stage: Engen – Anselfingen – Hohenhewen – Welschingen – Weiterdingen – Hohenstoffeln – Mägdeberg – Hohenkrähen – Hohentwiel – Singen (14 mi)

From the Engen train station, we already look up to its local mountain, the 2,776 ft high Hohenhewen. It is one of many basalt cones that characterize the Hegau landscape. These are in sight along today’s hike. A first overview can be enjoyed from the summit. From the observation platform above the ruins of the Hohenhewen castle ruins, the panorama extends from the town below to the neighboring places and volcanic mountains Neuhewen (2,844 ft), Hohenstoffeln (2,766 ft), Mägdeberg (2,178 ft), Hohenkrähen (2,113 ft), and Hohentwiel (2,251 ft). Not only these Hegau mountains were once knightly seats. With over 300 former fortifications, Hegau is the most castle-rich region in Germany. However, one day is not enough to explore all the medieval remains. The hiking route therefore only touches the mentioned Hegau mountains.

Another highlight along the way is the Holy Sepulchre Chapel in Weiterdingen, a faithful reproduction of the Holy Sepulchre of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem.

5th stage: Singen – Aachweg - Herrentisch – Schrotzburg – Gaienhofen (14 mi)

The last stage starts in the industrial city Singen am Hohentwiel. With its local mountain, it not only has the largest fortress ruin in Germany but also, as one of the sunniest places, the highest vineyard. Along the Radolfzeller Aach, which draws part of its water from the sinking Danube near Immendingen, we hike to Rielasingen-Arlen. Steep serpentines lead up to the “Herrentisch” with a magnificent view over the Hegau. We have now reached the Höri peninsula. Past the former Schrotzburg, we continue over rail tracks and finally reach the end of the long-distance trail in Gaienhofen at the Lake Constance.