Löffingen: Old Town History and the Wutach Gorge

Discover Löffingen through its historic centre, church art and outdoor activities. The historic town centre forms an irregular oval. Its only main axis follows a former long-distance trade route that widens in the centre into a market square, with the town hall in the middle. Three gates have been preserved; they remained closed until the 19th century. The layout of the town and its former entrances shape a walk through the town just as much as its individual buildings.

Town history, churches and little discoveries

Today’s Witterschnee pilgrimage church in Löffingen was built in the Neo-Romanesque style from 1894 to 1897. Another trace of religious history leads to the Witterschneekreuz: according to tradition, a man heard a bell from Löffingen there, was brought to town by passing lumberjacks, and then kept his vow. Over the years, more and more pilgrims came there. The church’s construction history and pilgrimage tradition offer different ways to explore the town’s history.

In St. Michael’s town church, Mathias Faller, a Rococo sculptor from St. Märgen, designed the present high altar; the side altars and their figures are also his works. On a tour of the Löffingen local history museum, visitors will encounter numerous treasures, each with a little story behind it. You can also visit the “Herb Garden of the Bible” with its medicinal plants along the medicinal herb trail. It is located behind the playground towards the festival hall.

Hiking and winter activities

The Wutach Gorge is considered a unique nature reserve and a strictly protected wild river valley. It cannot be crossed by vehicle and must be explored on foot. One suggested route using the hiking bus starts at Löffingen station and goes to Göschweiler and the Schattenmühle. From there, it offers an approximately 9.5-kilometre hike through the gorge to Bachheim. If you are planning this combination, check the timetable for your chosen day.

The Löffingen cross-country ski trail also offers a choice of different distances: it is 20 kilometres long in total, with 5- and 10-kilometre sections for less experienced skiers. Dittishausen is the only district of the town with a ski lift for children, beginners and adults. The winter activities described therefore have different focuses: the trail and ski lift are two separate options for days in the snow.

Walks and Dittishausen

The easy Löffingen town trail is 3.5 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The digital town trail is designed for families with children aged six and over and starts at the town library at Rathausplatz 14. The distance and duration help you plan your time; the age guidance describes who the digital version is intended for.

Dittishausen also has discoveries of its own. The lovingly renovated Weiler Chapel is one of the town’s oldest buildings and invites visitors to linger. Local hiking trails offer open views of Feldberg and the Alps. The historic pumping station on the Gauchach is also well worth a visit. The Löffingen information point helps visitors find their way with brochures and leaflets about day trips, as well as hiking and cycling tours. A digital terminal with an app and direct video-call assistance for specific questions about hiking tours, winter sports and family holidays are also available.

The wider destination of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald

The wider destination of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald offers further ideas for planning your trip. At Badeparadies Schwarzwald in Titisee, summer temperatures prevail 365 days a year, with real palm trees and turquoise-blue water. The Galaxy water slide universe at Badeparadies offers more than 25 attractions and aquatic fun for all ages. The trampoline park at Fundorena in Feldberg has three levels; the Fundorena X Mind Arena consists of six stations. Fundorena also has its own snack bar, “Chicco’s Lounge”.

Getting around is also a regional consideration: many places in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district can be reached by train. The free KONUS guest card gives you free use of local trains and buses throughout the Black Forest.

Discover more destinations: Staufen im Breisgau, Sankt Märgen, Breitnau, Stegen, Freiburg im Breisgau, Oberried, Ehrenkirchen, Au.

Go to the wider travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.