Bad Rippoldsau: Waterfall, Forest and History

Bad Rippoldsau showcases nature in many different forms: a waterfall plunges over a rock face, sandstone shapes rock formations and a cirque lake, and trails lead to viewpoints. There are also water activities, forest topics and the history of Klösterle. You can tailor your stay to what interests you most: exploring the landscape, water, natural history or historical connections.

Exploring the waterfall

At Burgbach Waterfall, water plunges more than 32 metres over a rock face in the forest. A winding path and steps lead up to Burgbachfelsen, where a shelter and panoramic views await. The waterfall can be reached on foot from the Vor Burgbach starting point. It is also the destination of the Klösterle Loop: this eight-kilometre premium hiking trail forms a circular route around Klösterle Bad Rippoldsau and leads to the waterfall. Two pavilions offer viewpoints; the loop starts at the Vor Burgbach car park. This gives you two different ways to experience the natural surroundings: visit the waterfall as a specific destination or take a longer circular hike that links it with other viewpoints.

Cliffs, a lake and the history of timber rafting

Kastelstein in Bad Rippoldsau is a sandstone rock formation at an elevation of 823 metres and is designated a natural monument. Sandstone also shapes Glaswaldsee, which lies within a nature reserve in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach. This glacial cirque lake was carved out of sandstone. The lake therefore combines a striking landscape with its geological origins. It also has a historical connection to timber rafting. The waterfall, rock formation and lake each offer a different focus: a cascade here, a sandstone formation there, or a lake landscape shaped by glaciers.

Water activities and animal habitats

Wolftal Adventure Forest Outdoor Pool features a combined pool for swimmers and non-swimmers. A diving board, massage jets and water sprays add to the facilities, while a paddling pool and a children’s water channel offer something different for younger visitors. The Alternative Wolf and Bear Park, between the districts of Bad Rippoldsau and Schapbach, offers a very different way to connect with nature. Covering just under ten hectares, it provides bears, wolves and lynxes with natural habitats after they had previously been kept in unsuitable conditions. The difference is relevant when planning your trip: the outdoor pool offers designed water attractions, while the park provides habitats for the animal species listed above.

Forest knowledge and the history of Klösterle

The Wald-Kultur-Haus in Holzwald offers forest education courses for children, young people and adults. They cover the geology of the Wolftal valley, forest habitats and water ecology; the centre also presents historical forms of forest management. The forest theme thus spans natural habitats and how people managed forests in the past. Klösterle also has a historical connection: the settlement was founded around 1140 as a Benedictine priory. Pilgrimages to Our Lady of Sorrows of Bad Rippoldsau have been documented since 1721. This history adds two distinct historical reference points to the nature and forest themes: the founding of the priory and the pilgrimage, documented since the 18th century.

These interests offer different kinds of travel experiences. You can choose accommodation based on your plans for the stay and find a location that suits you, without grouping all the places into a single style of excursion.

For the broader travel overview: Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach.