NORTHERN BLACK FOREST NATIONAL PARK
National Park , Black Forest, Urban Forest – a smooth transition
NORTHERN BLACK FOREST NATIONAL PARK
The Northern Black Forest National Park begins near Baden-Baden and has its highest point in the city area on the Badener Höhe at 1,002.5 meters. The highest mountain in the northern Black Forest is the Hornisgrinde at 1,163 meters. It is more of an elongated ridge, framed by the famous Mummelsee and the Unterstmatt ski resort.
On December 26, 1999, a tremendous hurricane devastated large areas of these dark forests. This was the starting signal to leave large areas to nature…
The exciting thing is that the natural landscape is allowed to develop freely alongside an old cultural landscape. Thus, the Black Forest offers excursion destinations in abundance. Hiking, walking, jogging, mountain biking, paragliding, climbing or winter sports, everyone will simply get their money’s worth here. And fortunately, there are always cozy places to stop for refreshments.
CITY FOREST
With 8,578 HA, Baden-Baden has the largest municipal forest in Germany. The city has given about 420 HA of it to the Black Forest National Park Central/North.
As a gateway to the National Park, the Geroldsauer Mühle in Baden-Baden was built according to traditional craftsmanship and is one of the largest silver fir buildings. In the inn with its beautiful beer garden, you can feast in typical Baden style. The mill market offers all kinds of delicacies from the region. Those with a thirst for knowledge will enjoy the interesting permanent exhibition about the diversity of the nature park.
On the local mountain Merkur, the game preserve is a real highlight, with families of mouflon, red, fallow and wild boar. At the Merkur, a ride with the Merkur cable car to the top is worthwhile. From here you have a fantastic view and can watch the paragliders take off.
Lothar Trail
The Lothar Trail was created after the hurricane Lothar. The terrain was left to its own devices and it was quickly possible to observe how the biodiversity developed.
Via footbridges, ladders and stairs, the hiker gains insights into how nature deals with a devastated area. Which trees settle successfully and how high have they grown in more than 20 years?
What sounds simple is actually an exciting experience over hill and dale. A viewing platform also offers beautiful views over the northern Black Forest and into the valley towards Oppenau and Ottenhöfen.
LYNX TRAIL
The lynx originally belongs to the Black Forest. Individual lynx already seem to roam through the national park and it is hoped that they will settle. In order to sensitize the senses for this animal species, the lynx trail was established. “Sneak – peek – prick up your ears”, is the motto. Together with “Pinselohr”, the trail takes you along winding paths, over rocks and across narrow bridges through Baden-Baden’s city forest. Twenty interactive stations make the lynx trail an exciting experience.
Young and old can observe, listen and guess along the way. Highlights include telescopes with a view of possible prey, a listening funnel with animal voices, and a long and high jump facility.
NATURE INFO
If you want to study flora and fauna intensively during your vacation, you can find all the information you need at the new Ruhestein National Park Center. This architectural highlight houses a visitor center where you can find all hiking maps and also receive personal advice. The eventful permanent exhibition very impressively teaches you and your children everything you want to know about the nature around you. A footbridge takes you directly above the treetops.
Address: Schwarzwaldhochstraße 2, 77889 Seebach.
Christian Grund
Schwarzwaldgeier e.V.