Aftersteg: Chapel, Waterfall and Valley History

Aftersteg can be explored through a range of themes: St. Anne’s Chapel and its architectural history, silver mining in the area, and Todtnau Waterfall. The historical description of the Schönenbach Valley also gives the place its own landscape context. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether you are particularly interested in cultural history, the waterfall or other attractions in the wider Todtnau destination.

Todtnau Waterfall

The waterfall lies between Todtnau and Aftersteg. In the Todtnau mountain region, it is located between the holiday resorts of Todtnauberg and Aftersteg. With a drop of 97 metres, it plunges more than 60 metres into the valley in two stages and is considered Baden-Württemberg’s highest natural waterfall. Its height, two-stage form and location give this natural attraction a distinctive character: it is not just about a drop in elevation, but also about the water’s course over several sections.

Todtnau Waterfall is accessible without barriers from Aftersteg. Check local conditions before you travel. If you are planning a trip for several generations or people with different mobility needs, this information is an important starting point for planning your visit; be sure to take the specific conditions on site into account.

The Chapel and the Valley’s History

St. Anne’s Chapel in Aftersteg was built in 1909 in the Neo-Romanesque style, with a tower. Neo-Romanesque refers to a style that draws on Romanesque architecture. This helps put the style designation into context; the year of construction and the tower also make two specific features of the chapel clear. The history of Aftersteg also opens up a longer time perspective: silver mining in the area is documented from the Middle Ages through the 19th century.

A historical description characterised Aftersteg as a health resort away from through traffic. It describes the buildings as loosely arranged in the valley and on both slopes of the Schönenbach Valley. This is a right-hand side valley of the Große Wiese. Alongside the chapel and mining history, this adds two further perspectives: earlier descriptions of the place and the valley’s geographical setting. Together, they offer different ways to discover Aftersteg through its architectural, economic and landscape history.

Aftersteg Kneipp Water-Treading Facility

The Aftersteg water-treading facility is a Kneipp facility. Its address is Talstraße 25, 79674 Todtnau. The water-related attractions are quite different: Todtnau Waterfall centres on the natural spectacle of its two cascades, while the water-treading facility is a Kneipp facility. If you plan to include this facility in your visit, check in advance whether it is open.

The Wider Todtnau Destination

Those who explore the wider Todtnau destination will find more ideas for planning their trip. Todtnau is located in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park and the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve, between Feldberg and Belchen in the upper Wiesental valley. Hiking, cycling and mountain biking routes of varying difficulty offer different ways to enjoy views of the Black Forest. The range of difficulty levels is one specific difference to consider when choosing your activities.

In Todtnauberg, the 450-metre-long BLACKFORESTLINE spans Todtnau Waterfall at the entrance to the village. The bridge is around 120 metres above the waterfall and is supported by 76-millimetre steel cables and 16-metre pylons. Todtnauberg also has designated tobogganing areas.

The cultural history of the wider Todtnau destination can also be explored further. The permanent exhibition at the Todtnau Brush Museum presents the life and work of Karl Ludwig Nessler. The museum also covers the history of Todtnau’s brush industry from 1770 to the present day. If you would rather include a stop for refreshments in your day’s plans, mountain huts at Stübenwasen, Gisiboden and Hasenhorn invite you to enjoy a snack. You can weigh up your interests in nature, technology, local history and places to eat when choosing a destination and suitable accommodation for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Geschwend, Todtnauberg.

Go to the wider travel overview: Todtnau.