A Romanesque waterfall trail, magnificent views, and an alpine ridge traverse…that's our tour recommendation on the Karlsruher Grat via ferrata in the Northern Black Forest near Ottenhöfen. This circular hike skillfully combines one of the most beautiful regions of the Black Forest with a touch of adventure (but only if desired).
Our tour begins at the parking lot directly next to the Ottenhöfen gravel plant. Right at the edge of town, a large, unmissable sign points us towards Karlsruher Grat / Waterfalls. Once there, we can find information on the route of the via ferrata and the Gottschlägtal nature reserve on an information board.
The workers at the gravel pit greet us warmly and seem quite used to encountering hikers here. From the parking lot, we follow the yellow diamond marker for "Ottenhöfen im Schwarzwald," which marks our circular hike.
A gently flowing forest path alongside the stream leads us directly to the start of the Edelfrauengrab waterfalls . A well-designed and spectacular trail, secured by railings and steps, takes us through the adventurous waterfalls in about 20 minutes. We quickly gain altitude and soon reach the exit of the falls.
From there, the path leads us through a huge labyrinth of roots, continuing gently uphill directly to a well-maintained forest road. We follow the road until the forest thins out and we reach the next signpost, continuing towards Karlsruher Grat.
Following a wide forest path, colorfully surrounded by Black Forest plants, we reach a perfectly situated refreshment fountain and rest area after just a few minutes. On a hot day, this little stone building, stocked with a variety of chilled drinks, is a welcome sight. The selection of beverages, from non-alcoholic drinks to schnapps and liqueurs, leaves nothing to be desired.
After a short break, a narrow, moderately steep forest path leads us up to the "Herrenschorfen" . Even on the way there, we repeatedly traverse rocky slate slabs, and we can already imagine the adventurous ridge that lies ahead. The "Herrenschorfen" can be climbed without difficulty, although a certain degree of sure-footedness and a head for heights are required.
The view into the Gottschlägtal valley and back along the route so far is already magnificent, and we take a few moments to enjoy it before continuing uphill along the path.
After a few meters, we reach a small clearing in the woods where there is a signpost and another information panel. Here we receive more detailed information about the geology of the Karlsruher Grat.
We follow the signs and reach the start of the climb via a soft forest path. Good footing is necessary from the first rock formation onwards. Those unsure of their footing should follow the signposted bypass, which runs directly below the ridge. The stepped, rocky, and sometimes slightly exposed ridge walk requires the use of hands and some easy scrambling, making the traverse an unforgettable experience. The view becomes more beautiful with every step, and we spot a wooden summit cross in the distance (Caution! This is only accessible from below via unsecured climbing routes!).
The via ferrata leads us a few meters above the cross, and we traverse the ridge, now mostly on walking terrain, in about 20 minutes. Gradually, the rocks become smaller, and a final look back across the entire ridge brings our short climbing section to an end.
The path now merges directly with the bypass and after another 20 minutes (follow the ascending path!) we reach the " Bosenstein " rest house, where we can recharge our supplies a second time.
From here, we hike for about 500 meters on an asphalt path until it turns into a narrow meadow path running between the forest and cow pastures. Along the way, we have a fantastic view of the Hornisgrinde, the highest peak in the Northern Black Forest at 1163 meters, which is only a few kilometers away.
We follow the "Bosensteiner Almpfad" trail, descending gently through the forest, until we reach the "brennte Schorfen" shelter. Behind this shelter, a short path leads us through enormous boulders to a small viewing platform , from which we have a magnificent view over Ottenhöfen, the Black Forest landscape, and as far as the Rhine Valley. We then follow our original route, marked with a yellow diamond, towards Ottenhöfen (approximately 3 km from here).
From here, the route alternates between forest paths, logging roads, and paved, easily walkable high-altitude trails. At times, we follow secluded, narrow paths past fragrant wild berry bushes. The descent is varied, and as soon as we leave the forest, another magnificent view towards Ottenhöfen opens up before us.
A recently installed wooden bench above some Black Forest farmhouses invites us to take another short break. The path then leads us in about 15 minutes to the Sternen restaurant in Ottenhöfen and in another 15 minutes back to the starting point of our tour: the parking lot at the gravel plant.
If you enjoyed the hike to the Karlsruher Grat, then you'll definitely love our e-book. It offers many tips, ideas, and suggestions for beautiful, authentic holidays surrounded by nature and offering all the comforts of home in the Black Forest, and much more.
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Drinks fountain available after approximately 1 hour
Gasthof Bosenstein after about 1:45 hours
Restaurant Sternen after approximately 3 hours at the end of the tour
If you're looking for a wonderful holiday in the Northern Black Forest, then you should take a look at our specially equipped holiday properties near Karlsruher Grat and Ottenhöfen. Sauna, whirlpool, fireplace and more await your discovery!
Heiko Roth
Schillerstraße 62
72275 Alpirsbach
Telephone: +49 7444 4130
Email: anfrage@schwarzwald-ferienhaus.net
