The starting point for our hike to the Brandenkopf is the church in the center of Oberharmersbach . To reach the parking lot, coming from Zell am Harmersbach, we turn right in front of the church. After a few meters, the parking area is on the left.

Alternatively, we can also travel by Ortenau S-Bahn from Alpirsbach via Haslach.

We start our hike directly at a signpost indicating the ascent to the Brandenkopf. We follow a road, past a large gravel area, to the second signpost. There, we follow the "Brandenkopf hiking trail" and don't be misled by the large sign pointing towards Brandenkopf . This is the official access road for cars.

The path leads us further through a residential area with well-tended gardens and well-preserved Black Forest houses. At the end of the road, we reach the Häldelebrunnen fountain, where we follow the road uphill, gradually leaving Oberharmersbach. After a few minutes' walk, we find ourselves on an asphalt path lined with fruit trees, offering our first wonderful view over the village. We follow the path towards "Danielhof," which we reach after about 30 minutes.

Above the farm, the forest path leads us steadily and moderately steeply through a densely populated fir forest towards the "Berggastwirtschaft Durben" (Durben Mountain Inn). A few meters before reaching the inn, we leave the forest and for the first time, a magnificent view up to the dramatic landscape of the central Black Forest.

We enjoyed the view from a perfectly positioned wooden bench before continuing our strenuous hike. From here, we also saw the radio tower for the first time, located on the summit of the Brandenkopf, which guided us in the right direction. To our right, we could already glimpse the Vosges Mountains, which mark the border with France.

Above the inn, we reach an asphalt road (access road to Brandenkopf). We cross this road and follow the signs for "Schwarzenbachsattel / Brandenkopf - easy route".

The Durbensattelweg leads us further moderately steeply to the Schwarzenbachsattel, the 786m high pass between Brandenkopf and Nillkopf.

Passing the well-preserved Karl-Albert-Junghans hut, we follow the nature trail (marked "NL") from here to the end of our tour.

We frequently come across information panels about the native trees of the Brandenkopf region. The path continues uphill past the Spitzbrunnen spring towards the wind turbines on the ridge.

A path, now narrow and sometimes stony but still easily walkable, leads us in a few minutes directly to the Brandenkopf Tower and its adjoining hikers' hostel/restaurant. (Closed Tuesdays)

Only on the 32m high, freely accessible Brandenkopf tower does the breathtaking view of this hike open up for the first time in all directions .

From the Vosges Mountains across the Swabian Alb and from the Feldberg (1493m) in the Southern Black Forest to the Hornisgrinde (1193m) in the Northern Black Forest. All the important peaks can be viewed from a bird's-eye perspective here.

With good visibility, which we had on the day of our tour, you can, with a bit of luck, see the over 4000m high peaks of the Swiss Alps on the horizon. Information panels in every direction make it easy to lose track of time here.

After a refreshing break at the rustic inn, decorated with Swabian paintings, we begin our descent along the same path we used for the ascent. We reach our starting point after about 1.5 hours.