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Hiking Trail recommended route Hiking Trail  · Nordschwarzwald Open

Rafters' Round

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  • Forest path along the Enz
    Forest path along the Enz
    Photo: Pierre Johne, CC BY-ND, Wirtschaft und Stadtmarketing Pforzheim

Selected alternatives for you
    This circular route follows the tracks of the rafters and promises pure enjoyment of nature. Lush green Enz meadows, a species-rich arboretum, and the authentic Birkenfeld await you.
    Open
    moderate
    Distance 9 km
    2:25 h
    124 m
    125 m
    356 m
    280 m

    The rafting trade was an important economic sector in the Black Forest until the mid-19th century. Timber, cuckoo clocks, and other goods were transported via the waterways along the Enz, Nagold, and Würm rivers all the way to the Netherlands. One of the oldest German documents regulating rafting in the northern Black Forest dates from 1342. Due to railway construction and the expansion of the rail network, rafting gradually lost its significance. Today, the rafting monument on the Pforzheim Auer Bridge and this beautiful hiking route recall the glorious era of the rafters.

    This circular route is a pleasure for every nature lover!

    The arboretum with its numerous deciduous and coniferous trees from all over the world is an impressive tree collection. The Enz meadows invite you to relax and let your thoughts wander, and in the authentic Birkenfeld with its half-timbered houses, you will find the occasional refreshment.

    Author’s recommendation

    The arboretum is a delight for plant enthusiasts. Here you will find numerous tree species from all over the world.
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Experience
    Landscape
    Highest point
    356 m
    Lowest point
    280 m
    Best time of year
    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec

    Track types

    Asphalt 13%Dirt road 2.20%Forested/wild trail 76.61%Road 7.97%Unknown 0.19%
    Asphalt
    1.2 km
    Dirt road
    198 m
    Forested/wild trail
    6.9 km
    Road
    714 m
    Unknown
    17 m
    Show elevation profile

    Rest stops

    Birkenfeld/Rathaus
    Pforzheim Sonnenberg
    Gasthof Sonnenberg

    Safety information

    There are no safety-relevant sections on the path.

    Tips and suggestions

    This path has no own hiking trail sign. Carrying a map is recommended.

    Many thanks to the Black Forest Association Pforzheim-Brötzingen and the dedicated trail wardens for this great route suggestion.

    Roadbook

    Signpost locations:

    Sonnenberg 334 m – Tornadostein 335 m – Lower Enz Bridge 286 m – Upper Enz Bridge 308 m – Birkenfeld Marketplace 346 m – Lower Enz Bridge 286 m Tornadostein 335 m – Sonnenberg 334 m

    Route description:

    From the signboard at the Sonnenberg parking lot, we follow the Westweg – red diamond – to the "Tornadostein". At the signpost we turn right and continue – red diamond to the lower Enz bridge, turn left, go straight ahead – yellow diamond – to the "upper Enz bridge", cross the Enz - follow the yellow diamond -, then immediately right onto the metal bridge to go under the B 294. Go left up to the yellow diamond, go briefly left, shortly afterwards right up the rather steep path, then right to Birkenfeld to Zeppelin Street, which we cross, and walk up the sidewalk to the "Birkenfeld Marketplace". At the marketplace/town hall we turn right – red diamond – through a small park, then left uphill to the main road and immediately right again, down the path to Wildbader Street, cross the street and then the railway line. Immediately after crossing the railway line, we turn right and shortly thereafter left over the "lower Enz bridge". Continue – red diamond – up the Westweg to the "Tornadostein" and then back to the starting point – "Sonnenberg parking lot".

    Marking:

    red diamond up to the Lower Enz bridge, then yellow diamond to the marketplace in Birkenfeld. From there back to the starting point on the red diamond

    Rest stop
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    Photo
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    Pforzheim Sonnenberg
    Trinkbrunnen und Einstieg zum Wasserleitungsweg
    Parkplatz Wasserleitungsweg
    Parkplatz am Sonnenberg
    Gasthof Sonnenberg
    Arboretum
    Tornadostein
    Unterer Enzsteeg
    Patschbachtal
    Oberer/Enzsteg
    Birkenfeld/Rathaus
    Birkenfeld Marktplatz
    Birkenfeld

    Public transport

    Public-transport-friendly

    Bus stops on the route:

    - Pforzheim Sonnenberg

    - Birkenfeld Marketplace

    - Birkenfeld Train Station

    Train station near the route:

    - Birkenfeld Train Station

    Schedule information is available here: http://www.efa-bw.de

    Directions

    There are several options by car:

    One option starts at Sonnenberg. You can reach it via Büchenbronner Street. Coming from Pforzheim, the Wasserleitungsweg hiking parking lot is on the right side.

    Another option is to start the route in Birkenfeld. There are numerous parking options, for example at the train station or in the town center.

    Parking

    On the Pforzheim Sonnenberg there are free hiking parking lots on both sides of Büchenbronner Street near the Wasserleitungsweg. There is the Wasserleitungsweg hiking parking lot as well as a spacious parking lot opposite the Sonnenberg guesthouse.

    In Birkenfeld, there are numerous, partly paid parking options in the town center. Parking at Birkenfeld train station is also possible.

    Coordinates

    DD
    48.875274, 8.663298
    DMS
    48°52'31.0"N 8°39'47.9"E
    UTM
    32U 475311 5413645
    w3w 
    ///speaker.quiz.ridge
    Get there by train, car, bike, or on foot!

    Book recommendation by the author

    More information on this and other routes is available at the

    Pforzheim Tourist Information

    Schloßberg 15-17 75175 Pforzheim

    Tel: 07231 39-3700; Fax: 07231 39-3707

    tourist-info@pforzheim.de, www.stadt-land-enz.de/wandern 

    Author’s map recommendations

    The map for this and many more routes is available at the

    Pforzheim Tourist Information

    Schloßberg 15-17 75175 Pforzheim

    Tel: 07231 39-3700; Fax: 07231 39-3707

    tourist-info@pforzheim.de, www.stadt-land-enz.de/wandern 

    Book recommendations for this region:

    Show more

    Recommended maps for this region:

    Show more

    Equipment

    Sturdy and well-broken-in footwear is recommended. You should also bring sun and rain protection, as well as something to drink and a small snack.

    A small refreshment can be found along the way in the town center of Birkenfeld.

    Localization

    Parts of this content were machine translated from German.

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    Status
    Open
    Difficulty
    moderate
    Overall difficulty
    moderate

    Derived from the technical difficulty and the stamina requirements.

    Distance
    9 km
    Duration
    2:25 h
    Ascent
    124 m
    Descent
    125 m
    Highest point
    356 m
    Lowest point
    280 m
    Public-transport-friendly Round trip Refreshment stops available Flora

    Weather at the starting point

    10-day forecast

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