Kniebis: Trails, Panoramic Views and Monastery Ruins

Kniebis combines trails through nature with sweeping views and distinctive monastery ruins. The village is located right on the Black Forest High Road and about six kilometres from the Black Forest National Park. Its varied experiences can help you plan your trip.

Hiking and outdoor activities

The Kniebis Heritage Trail starts at the Black Forest High Road Visitor Centre in Kniebis. Five signposted Nordic walking routes start opposite the visitor centre, behind the small car park. Signposted mountain bike trails also begin there. This gives you a choice of different ways to get active, all from the same starting point.

The Kniebis Monastery Trail has a different character: it follows narrow, steep, sometimes damp and always uneven paths through untamed, wild countryside. Bear these trail conditions in mind when planning your day. For an outing with a different destination, a signposted hike leads downhill from Kniebis to Freudenstadt through the Forbach valley, following the water all the way. Laugbrunnenweiher is one example of a lovely spot by the water.

The Ellbachsee viewing platform offers views down to Ellbachsee, towards Mitteltal and as far as Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest. The views complement the trails with clear vistas of several landscape highlights. You can choose your route based on whether you would rather focus on a hike, a cycling tour or a viewpoint.

Winter trails and other activities

In winter, the size of the trail network offers a guide of its own: Kniebis has almost 100 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails. There are also two signposted snowshoe trails. Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing offer different ways to experience the winter landscape; the trails help you choose the activity that best suits your plans.

The Kniebis forest swimming pool also offers a change of pace from the trails. It has swimming lanes and a paddling pool, as well as facilities for volleyball and table tennis. So, alongside hiking and winter sports, you can also consider water-based exercise and other sporting activities.

Monastery ruins and herb garden

The Kniebis monastery ruins preserve the remains of a former monastery church. A herb garden featuring commonly used herbs from the 9th century has been created next to the ruins. The Kniebis Heritage and History Association offers guided tours of the monastery and herb garden. The surviving monastery remains and the garden’s plants are both at the heart of the visit. It combines an insight into the history of the village with a closer look at the garden.

Freudenstadt as a destination in its own right

Freudenstadt also has its own cultural and historical attractions. Its market square is considered the largest in Germany. It is almost square, lined with historic buildings featuring arcades and adorned with 50 water fountains. The Protestant town church, with two naves arranged at right angles to each other, stands on the market square.

Friedrich Tower, a viewing tower at an altitude of 739 metres, is located in the Kienberg spa area. It was built to mark Freudenstadt’s 300th anniversary. Germany’s highest rose path is also in the spa area. The Freudenstadt Historic Visitor Mine opened in 1999 to mark the town’s 400th anniversary. Guided tours are offered at three different levels of difficulty and access; check current operating arrangements before visiting. Experimenta in Freudenstadt shares fascinating facts about physics, nature and technology and invites visitors to try experiments for themselves.

Your planned focus is therefore a good starting point when choosing where to search: Kniebis offers the trail starting points, winter activities and monastery ruins described above; Freudenstadt adds its own urban and cultural attractions to your trip. Think about which places you want to focus on, and tailor your accommodation search accordingly.

Discover more destinations

Discover more destinations: Glatten, Baiersbronn, Reinerzau, Freudenstadt, Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, Horb am Neckar, Seewald, Loßburg

Back to the main travel overview: Freudenstadt.