Discover Wittenschwand

Wittenschwand lies in a broad high-lying basin, at an average elevation of about 940 metres. Fields and meadows stretch between the smaller settlements in the area, giving the landscape its open character. Two distinctive themes stand out here: the unusual upland landscape and the history of the village.

High-Lying Basin and Nature Experiences

The Klosterweiher pond can be seen from Horbach and lies mostly within the Friedrich-August-Grube nature reserve. The nature experience and themed playground above the pond also brings together nature and mining themes. Its features include an exploration tunnel that can be reopened, stone-themed play equipment and sound installations made of stone. Information boards provide insights into mining. There are also protected nickel spoil heaps with a distinctive lichen population. At this nature experience site, play, mining history and a protected natural habitat sit side by side.

Mining and Local History

St. Andrew’s Chapel in Wittenschwand was formerly the Jodokus Chapel and was built around 1630. It was later transferred to the Protestant parish of St. Blasien after a new Catholic chapel was built in Wittenschwand. Its history can thus be traced through two significant milestones: its construction in the early 17th century and its later transfer.

More Tours and Themes in Dachsberg (Southern Black Forest)

Within the wider destination of Dachsberg (Southern Black Forest), the Albsteig Schwarzwald trail runs from the mouth of the Alb near Albbruck to its source at Feldberg. It has been a premium hiking trail since 2017. Along the way, it climbs to Dachsberg, offering magnificent views from there.

The mining trail offers a different focus: it is about seven kilometres long and links former mining sites. It can be started at either the Mineralienmuseum in Urberg or the town hall in Wittenschwand. This gives you both an approximate route length and two specific starting points for planning. The two routes have different focuses: the Albsteig links the mouth of the Alb with its sources, while the mining trail links former mining sites.

The “Gottesehre” Mineral Museum in Dachsberg-Urberg uses a film and other media to provide information about the disused mine. Several display cases feature magnificent minerals from the mine. The Zeidlerpfad in Dachsberg-Urberg, near the “Goldenhof”, focuses on a different historical topic: it shows how honey was once harvested and bees kept, and offers insights into traditional forest beekeeping and its ecological importance.

Dachsberg and Ibach have an extensive network of trails for hiking, Nordic walking, cycling and winter activities. It is available to residents, day-trippers and tourists alike. In winter, the plateaus and forests can be explored along groomed winter hiking trails, depending on snow conditions. Dachsberg and Ibach are also members of the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve, established in 2016.

Discover more destinations: Urberg, Vogelbach.

Return to the overview of the wider destination: Dachsberg.