European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg (region Schwarzwald south)

The European Long Distance Path E1 – Southern Black Forest section is a 135-km point-to-point trail through Baden-Württemberg, Germany, descending from the Feldberg summit (1,493 m) to the shores of Lake Constance. Spanning 7 stages over roughly 9 days, this moderately demanding route threads through deep river gorges, ancient spruce forests, and volcanic uplands — one of central Europe's finest long-distance walks.

About the European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg (region Schwarzwald south)

The E1 is one of the founding routes of the European Ramblers Association (ERA), stretching nearly 7,000 km from the North Cape in Norway to Palermo in Sicily. In Germany alone, the path covers approximately 1,900 km across more than 76 daily stages, threading through 10 federal states from the Danish border south to Lake Constance (Bodensee).

The Schwarzwald south section — stages 10.10 through 10.16 — covers roughly 135 km of the Black Forest's most dramatic terrain. Starting at the Feldberg, the highest peak in the Black Forest at 1,493 m, the route descends through highland meadows, enters the spectacular Wutach Gorge, crosses the open Baar plateau, and winds through the volcanic Hegau landscape before arriving at Konstanz on Lake Constance's northwestern shore.

The E1 in this section largely follows the famous Westweg (West Path) and its southern extensions — a trail with over a century of tradition in Germany. The waymarking is reliable throughout: look for the white cross on a black diamond (the ERA marker) alongside the red diamond of the Schwarzwaldverein (Black Forest Association). Well-maintained paths, a dense accommodation network, and excellent rail connections make this one of the most accessible segments of any pan-European long-distance route.

Geologically, the southern Black Forest is an ancient block of crystalline rock — granite and gneiss — lifted along fault lines and shaped by Ice Age glaciers. The Feldberg was covered by a small ice cap during the last glaciation, which carved the Feldsee cirque lake still visible today. Further south, the landscape shifts dramatically: the Wutach river has cut a 20-km gorge up to 350 m deep through Jurassic limestone, and isolated volcanic necks like Hohentwiel rise abruptly from the flat Hegau lowlands.

For multi-day hikers planning their food strategy, see our guide on how many calories you need hiking a full day — on a trail with this much elevation change, daily requirements regularly exceed 3,500 kcal.

Route Overview & Stages

The 7 official stages of the E1 Southern Black Forest section total approximately 135 km. The route trends south-southeast, losing net elevation from the Black Forest highlands down to Lake Constance, though each day includes both climbs and descents through varied terrain. Total elevation gain across the section is approximately 1,430 m; total descent is roughly 2,540 m.

Highlights & Points of Interest

• Feldberg (1,493 m) — The Black Forest's highest peak anchors the route's opening day. On clear mornings the panorama extends from the Vosges Mountains in France across to the Swiss Alps, with the Jungfrau and Eiger clearly visible to the south. The Feldberg nature reserve protects rare high-altitude flora including Alpenrose and Arnica montbretia.
• Feldsee — A glacially carved cirque lake sitting at 1,109 m, accessible via a short detour from stage 10.10. Its dark, still water surrounded by silver firs and glacial moraines is one of the most atmospheric spots in the entire southern Black Forest.
• Rötenbachschlucht — A narrow slot gorge cut by the Rötenbach stream, encountered near the end of stage 10.11. The path drops steeply into the gorge before emerging into the wider Wutach valley — a foretaste of the greater gorge drama ahead.
• Wutach Gorge (Wutachschlucht) — Often called Germany's Grand Canyon, this 20-km gorge plunges up to 350 m into Jurassic limestone plateau, sheltering Mediterranean and sub-alpine plant species side by side. The protected nature reserve along stage 10.12 has seen almost no forestry work since 1939, resulting in one of Baden-Württemberg's most biodiverse wild zones.
• Blumberg Steam Railway Viaduct — The Sauschwänzlebahn (Pig's Tail Railway) near Blumberg loops through three complete spirals to gain elevation — a 19th-century engineering marvel. Stage 10.13 passes viewpoints overlooking the viaduct arches, a striking contrast to the natural gorge terrain of the previous day.
• Hohentwiel Fortress (Singen) — A volcanic neck rising 260 m above the Hegau plain, topped by Germany's largest ruined castle complex. First documented in 914 AD, the fortress withstood a siege by Louis XIV's forces in 1800. Stage 10.14 passes directly below it, with views stretching to Lake Constance and the Swiss Alps.
• Hegau Volcanic Field — Between Engen and Singen, the landscape is studded with at least six isolated volcanic necks, remnants of Miocene eruptions through Jurassic limestone. The contrast with the densely forested Black Forest highlands is striking — open farmland punctuated by abrupt basalt pinnacles, each with its own ruined castle or chapel.
• Konstanz Old Town — The trail's final destination is a medieval university city bisected by the Swiss border. The Council of Constance (1414–1418), which ended the Western Schism, was held in its Konzilgebäude. The lakefront Münster cathedral, the guild houses of the old harbour, and the ferry crossing to Meersburg make this a rewarding end-point worthy of the journey.

Best Time to Hike the European Long distance path E1 - part Germany, Baden-Wuerttemberg (region Schwarzwald south)

The Black Forest has a cool, humid continental climate. The highlands receive some of Germany's highest annual rainfall — Feldberg averages over 1,900 mm per year — but the southern foothills and Lake Constance basin enjoy a noticeably milder and drier microclimate, among Germany's warmest regions in summer.

June is lush but can be wet; snow may linger on the Feldberg summit into late May. July brings reliable warmth and long daylight hours ideal for high-mileage days, but trails near Titisee and the Wutach Gorge can fill with day-trippers on weekends. August is the driest month on average, with valley temperatures reaching 25–28 °C, though afternoon thunderstorms are common above 1,000 m.

September is the single best month to hike this section. As of 2026, accommodation is far easier to secure without high-season competition, the forests begin showing early autumn colour, temperatures are comfortable at 14–22 °C, and stream levels in the Wutach Gorge are lower — making the narrow gorge path less hazardous after rain. Baden-Württemberg school holidays end in mid-September, which sharply reduces trail traffic on popular stages.

October remains viable for experienced hikers with proper rain gear, but some of the smaller Gasthäuser at isolated stage ends close from mid-October onward. Winter hiking (November–March) is inadvisable on this section: the Feldberg receives significant snowfall, and the Wutach Gorge path becomes treacherous with ice and high water levels.

Practical Information

Accommodation

The E1 southern Black Forest section benefits from Germany's strong rural accommodation network. Most stage endpoints fall in or near a village with at least one Gasthof (inn), Pension (guesthouse), or Wanderheim (hikers' hostel). Budget approximately €35–55 per night for a private room with breakfast at a Gasthof; Wanderheime with dormitory-style sleeping and a simple dinner cost €20–32 per person. Wild camping is prohibited in most of the Black Forest — the Nationalpark Schwarzwald and the Wutachschlucht nature reserve both ban bivouacking outside designated sites.

Key overnight towns with reliable accommodation: Lenzkirch (multiple Gasthöfe, direct train access), Blumberg (limited options — book well ahead in July and August), Engen (good choice, Hegau wine-country hospitality), and Konstanz (full range of hotels and hostels, easy to book year-round).

The Schwarzwald Tourismus portal lists bookable properties along the entire route, including Gasthöfe that offer luggage-transfer services between stages — a worthwhile option on the longer Blumberg–Engen day.

Getting There & Back

The most convenient trailhead access is via Freiburg im Breisgau, served by ICE trains from Frankfurt (1 hr 45 min) and Basel (30 min). From Freiburg, regional trains reach Feldberg-Bärental station in approximately 1 hour, followed by a 3-km uphill walk (200 m elevation gain) to the Feldberg summit plateau and the stage 10.10 start.

The finish in Konstanz is equally well-connected: trains run to Stuttgart (2 hrs), Zurich (1 hr 15 min via the Swiss border), and Basel (1 hr 30 min). The Konstanz–Zurich route is particularly useful for travellers returning via international air connections at Zurich Airport. The closest international airports are Basel EuroAirport (55 km from Feldberg; 90 km from Konstanz) and Stuttgart Airport (approximately 150 km from Konstanz).

Permits & Fees

No hiking permit is required for any section of this trail. The Wutach Gorge nature reserve is freely accessible on the designated footpath. The Nationalpark Schwarzwald visitor areas near Feldberg are open at no charge; the Feldberg Information Centre (Haus der Natur) has free entry. Some car parks at popular trailheads — including Feldberg Seebuck and Schattenmühle — charge €3–5 per day. Most accommodation providers issue a complimentary Gästekarte (guest card) covering free local bus travel throughout the region; ask at check-in, as this can eliminate taxi costs when splitting or shortening stages on bad-weather days.

Gear & Packing List

For a 7-stage, hut-supported itinerary, a mid-volume pack of 50–65 litres suits most hikers. If you plan to carry camping gear for added flexibility, step up accordingly. For a fully ultralight approach relying on Gasthöfe, a 40–55 L frameless or semi-structured pack handles this route comfortably.

• Hut-to-hut pack: The Deuter Aircontact Core 50+10 is a natural choice for German Black Forest trails — its Contact Air back system handles sustained descents well, and the +10 extension covers layering options for unpredictable mountain weather. For those who prefer more volume, the Osprey Aether 65 provides ample room for full camping capability.
• Ultralight pack: The Zpacks Arc Haul Ultra 60L keeps base weight under 1 kg for long ridge and plateau sections, making the 23-km Blumberg–Engen stage far more manageable.
• Waterproofs: Non-negotiable on this trail. The Black Forest generates its own weather systems; a hardshell jacket and waterproof trousers are essential even in August and September, particularly for the Feldberg and Wutach Gorge stages.
• Trekking poles: Strongly recommended. The Feldberg descent (620 m in 21 km) and the narrow, root-crossed Wutach Gorge path both place sustained stress on knees — poles make a meaningful difference across multiple days.
• Footwear: Waterproof mid-cut boots for the highland and gorge stages; trail runners suit the Hegau and Lake Constance lowland sections in dry September conditions.
• Navigation: ERA and Schwarzwaldverein waymarking is reliable throughout, but download offline maps for the Wutach Gorge where mobile signal is poor and the path occasionally splits near the mill ruins.

Resupply is straightforward: most stage towns have a Rewe, Edeka, or Bäckerei (bakery) within a few minutes of the path. Plan your daily calorie targets in advance — our hiking calorie guide covers exactly how much fuel a sustained mountain day demands. For a head-to-head comparison of the best ultralight packs currently available, the Best Ultralight Backpacks of 2026 review covers several options well-suited to hut-supported European long-distance hiking.

Similar Trails You Might Like

The E1 Southern Black Forest sits within a continent-wide network of marked long-distance paths. If this section appeals, there are several other European trails in Germany worth considering — from the Rhine gorge country of the west to the flat, lake-studded landscapes of central and eastern Germany. For contrast in terrain, the wild alpine ridgelines of the Balkans offer a very different flavour of European long-distance walking.

• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Rheinland-Pfalz — A 4,390-km European path with a Rhineland-Palatinate section crossing the Eifel, Hunsrück plateau, and the dramatic Rhine gorge.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E8, Nordrhein-Westfalen — Continues the E8 through the Sauerland highlands and Teutoburg Forest in Germany's most densely populated walking state.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (West) — Part of the 2,070-km E11 from the Dutch coast to Warsaw, crossing the Harz Mountains and the open Saxon Anhalt river plains.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Sachsen-Anhalt (East) — Continues east through the Fläming heath and the Anhalt cultural landscape toward the Elbe.
• Europäischer Fernwanderweg E11, Brandenburg (East) — Flat, lake-rich terrain through the Brandenburg lake district toward the Polish border at Frankfurt (Oder).

For a dramatically different alpine challenge, the Theth to Valbona trail in Albania offers a full-day crossing of the Accursed Mountains — a useful reference point for planning similar point-to-point routes elsewhere in Europe.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best time of year to hike the E1 Southern Black Forest?
September is the optimal month for this trail. Temperatures are comfortable at 14–22 °C, Baden-Württemberg school holidays end in mid-September which sharply reduces trail congestion, the Wutach Gorge path is at its driest, and the forests show early autumn colour. June through August are also viable but wetter in the highlands and busier around Feldberg and Titisee on weekends.

How difficult is the E1 Southern Black Forest section?
The trail rates as moderate to moderately demanding. Waymarking is reliable throughout, and paths are well maintained. The main technical challenge is stage 10.12 through the Wutach Gorge — a narrow, root-covered, sometimes slippery route requiring careful footing. The Feldberg descent on day one covers 620 m of elevation loss over 21 km. Good trail footwear, trekking poles, and solid cardiovascular fitness are recommended for all hikers.

How far should I expect to walk each day?
The 7 official stages average 19 km per day, ranging from 15 km (stage 10.16, Güttingen–Konstanz) to 23 km (stage 10.13, Blumberg–Engen). Fit hikers sometimes combine shorter adjacent stages; beginners can use the good public transport connections at Lenzkirch and Singen to split longer days. Budget extra time for stage 10.12 regardless of distance — the Wutach Gorge path is technically demanding and slower than the numbers suggest.

What accommodation is available along the route?
Every stage endpoint has accommodation within easy walking distance of the path — Gasthöfe and Pensionen with private rooms and breakfast cost €35–55 per night; Wanderheime (dormitory hostels) run €20–32 including dinner. Wild camping is not permitted in the Black Forest National Park or Wutach Gorge nature reserve. Blumberg has limited beds and requires advance booking in summer. Most hosts issue a Gästekarte covering free local bus travel.

Do I need a permit to hike the E1 Southern Black Forest?
No permit is required. All sections of the trail follow public rights of way, and both the Nationalpark Schwarzwald visitor areas and the Wutachschlucht nature reserve are freely accessible on foot via the designated path. Some trailhead car parks charge €3–5 per day. The Gästekarte issued free by most accommodation providers covers regional bus travel and can significantly simplify logistics between stages on bad-weather days.