From Lakes to Waterfalls: A Journey through the Black Forest

Discovering Baiersbronn: A Hiking Heaven

Upon arriving at Baiersbronn, our excitement was palpable. This town seems deeply committed to hikers and cyclists, evident from the two small but informative booklets provided at our hotel, brimming with recommended tours for both hiking and cycling enthusiasts. These were not just flimsy pamphlets; they were substantial resources filled with opportunities for exploration. Their website even proclaims Baiersbronn to be a “hiking heaven” (Wanderhimmel). They even have a little info center where you can get a lot of info material and even rent hiking stuff!

In hindsight, it was unfortunate that we hadn’t evaluated their website ahead of time; had we known about the extensive information available, we probably wouldn’t have invested in purchasing additional hiking guidebooks.

A Promising Start

To kick off our day, we checked the weather forecast during breakfast. It promised sunny and warm weather, with possible rain later in the day and the potential for thunderstorms in the afternoon. Thankfully, the forecast indicated that nothing too severe was on our horizon.

After some consideration, we opted for one of the so-called “Genießerpfade” – specially certified premium trails that promise the highest quality of enjoyment. These trails range from 11km to 14km and are exclusively circular tours, ensuring exciting hikes with beautiful views and convenient refreshment stops at local hiking huts. The first trail we chose to tackle was the Sankenbachsteig, a black-marked (hard) loop approximately 12.5 km in length with an elevation of ~480m, leading us to a lake and a waterfall.

Having reviewed the map, we felt confident that the trail’s difficulty was mainly due to one steep incline through the forest. As such, we believed it would not be a significant challenge even in our trekking shoes.

Starting Our Hike

It was indeed quite hot when we stepped out of our car at the trailhead. Fortunately, the trail quickly transformed into a shaded route flanked by lush bushes and trees along a meandering stream. As we continued, we came across a small ford crossing the stream. It felt like a perfect moment to start capturing the essence of the Black Forest, and so I engaged with my camera.

Admittedly, the scene would have benefited from a long exposure to truly showcase the mood, but with no tripod on hand, I had to work with what I could achieve in that moment.

As we progressed, the trail presented us with beautiful views through the forest. The difference between this landscape and the Alps back home was unmistakable. Everything appeared much more vibrant and green, adorned with an abundance of moss, ferns, and flourishing bushes. It was indeed a sensory pleasure.

Reaching Sankenbachsee

Soon after, we reached the Sankenbachsee, a charming gem nestled along the trail. The dark water of the lake was surrounded by a natural tapestry of forests and hills. We noticed a few bumblebees and dragonflies flitting about, which added to the enchanting atmosphere. After stopping for a quick snack, I attempted to capture some stunning photographs of the tranquil scene; however, I was not entirely satisfied with the results.

Luckily, just as we resumed our hike towards the waterfall, a particular spot along the side of the lake offered a visually appealing view. While it may not be an epic shot, it is certainly a good memory that I hoped would serve as a pleasant reminder of our day.

The Waterfall Adventure

Eventually, we arrived at the path leading to the waterfall. Here, I made a significant oversight. A sign pointed toward the waterfall, and while I initially locked my gaze on the view, I neglected to read the accompanying text. To our disappointment, when we finally reached the waterfall, we found it merely a trickle. Well “That’s just the way it is” we thought. I shrugged this off, attributing it to the recent warm days; perhaps we had just encountered some bad luck

After our ascent along the trail toward the head of the waterfall, we spotted a wooden gate and, to my dismay, the same sign from earlier. This time I actually took a moment to read it, only to discover the surprising truth: it was a manual waterfall.

As it turns out, when the gate is opened, the water gathered in a little pond rushes down. If only I had read the sign more carefully before reaching here! In that moment, I rather quickly dismissed the idea of going back to find a better vantage point, asking my wife to open the water slider while I captured the shot. To be honest, it felt like it would take far too much time and would leave my wife with the boredom of waiting.

Instead, I settled for taking some photos of the small pool above the waterfall before we continued on our hike. Lesson learned: I will certainly be more diligent about reading signs in the future.

The Adventure of the Loop Trail

The remainder of the trail loop was every bit as picturesque as the initial parts. However, this time I found it difficult to spot any compositions that screamed “epic” for photographs. The adventure lay not solely in the visuals, but rather in the increasingly ominous weather.

As we walked through forest, we couldn’t help but notice the sky darkening above us. The air was punctuated by occasional raindrops, while distant thunder rolled ominously in the background. A quick check of my weather app revealed thunderstorms forming to both the north and south, each moving eastward. We were caught right in the fortunate middle.

Despite the unusual conditions, we remained composed and continued our hike, not feeling overly anxious. Eventually, we made it back to our car without any hiccups, satisfied with the day’s moderate challenges and experiences.

A Scenic Evening in Freudenstadt

As the evening approached, we ventured to nearby Freudenstadt for dinner. The city center presented itself as highly scenic, featuring a charming large market square encircled by historic buildings and a striking church. The view of the town hall added a picturesque finish to our first day in the Black Forest. All in all, that first day was a well-rounded introduction to the essence of the Black Forest. Filled with vibrant scenery, lessons learned, and memorable encounters, we looked forward to more explorations in this beautiful region during our stay.

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