Above the Alb valley

0.0 km St. Blasien, Cathedral District/Downtown

The circular hike on the Albsteig and Schluchtensteig begins directly in front of the portal of the St. Blasien Cathedral. Here you will find signs indicating "to the Schluchtensteig," which you follow over the spacious forecourt to the right around the monastery district, then later through the small park to the former mill. The inconspicuous building was designed by J. C. Bagnato. The master builder also designed the castle and the castle church on Mainau Island and is buried there. Directly after the mill, turn right under the bypass road and follow the Schluchtensteig along the forest edge. Initially a forestry road, the path soon becomes a trail leading to the Lusthaus rocks and ascending further, crossing several forest roads, up to Lehenkopf.

3.4 km Lehenkopf, 1039m

After the panoramic view, head towards the Rothaus-Zäpfle tower, which is already visible from above. Up to Lehenrütte, continue following the Schluchtensteig, then descend along the yellow markings to the footbridge over the Alb reservoir lake. On the shore, you will meet the Albsteig and now follow its excellent markings, crossing the lake and keeping right on the opposite shore. The path continues alongside the lake for a while. After crossing the Albtalstraße, the Albsteig gradually gains elevation in the original "Guckgauchenloch" area. At a crossing forest road, the Albsteig turns left. Those wishing to walk directly to Häusern can shorten the route here. Everyone else ascends a bit further and soon stands in front of the Rothaus-Zäpfle tower at the outskirts of Häusern.

10.3 km Höchenschwand/Rothaus-Zäpfle Tower

The ups and downs have surely made you hungry. So it's time to stop for a meal. To do so, cross the B 500 to the Höchenschwand St. Michael's Church, turn left onto "Kurpromenade" street, and walk downhill again – crossing B 500 once more – to the Häusern ski lift, where you meet the Albsteig again. Nearby, you pass under the federal highway at the sports field and follow the markings towards Häusern.

13.3 km Häusern/Inn Adler

Right in front of Hotel Adler, the Albsteig turns left at a 90° angle, follows St. Fridolin-Straße for a short distance, then turns onto a footpath and crosses the B 500 one last time. After the underpass, cross St. Blasier Straße, pass Hotel Albtalblick, and leave the district of Häusern behind. The Albsteig gradually descends into the valley. At the footbridge over the Windbergbächle, the markings of Albsteig and Schluchtensteig meet. Those who are tired may head straight ahead on the Schluchtensteig from above back to the starting point but will miss the spectacular finale at the Windberg waterfalls. At the roaring brook, ascend initially on the right side in the direction of the climb, then cross the brook three times on footbridges, going uphill. Sometimes the Windbergbächle leaps over small rock steps, sometimes it slips down rock slabs until you reach the approximately eight-meter-high main waterfall stage.

16.2 km Windberg Waterfalls, Upper Waterfall

In a few steps, you exit the gorge. At the forest road above, the Schluchtensteig branches off to the right, and the Albsteig goes left, following a gravel path downward to Hohfelsen and then turns into a forest trail that runs along the mountainside, crossing another forest road to the upper area of the St. Blasien Cathedral district. Here, a side trail departs from the main route, leading back to the starting point via switchbacks.

17.8 km St. Blasien, Cathedral District/Downtown