Discover Böllen: Belchen landscapes and Black Forest houses

Böllen lies in a side valley on the southeastern slope of the Belchen. Forests, distinctive rocks and traditional Black Forest houses give the village a character that brings together natural landscapes and local history. When planning your trip, it is helpful to first consider whether the Belchen landscape, the village’s architectural styles or its historical traces are the main attraction for you. These highlights can guide you as you consider Böllen as a destination and a possible base for your stay.

Belchen landscape and natural environment

The entire northern part of the municipality of Böllen, with its high-montane forests, is part of the “Belchen” nature reserve. The distinctive Rosen and Hägstutz rocks lie on the southeastern foothills of the Belchen; they are made of resistant paragneiss. The foothills of the Belchen also include wooded plateaus and deep ravines. This makes it possible to distinguish the natural features by location: the high-montane forests are in the northern part of the municipality, while the rocks lie on the southeastern foothills. Those who choose Böllen for its scenery will find both forests and striking geological formations among its central attractions.

The Weidbuchenpfad trail is near Böllen. There is also a historic fortification with a well-preserved star-shaped redoubt on the small Hau pass between Böllen and Neuenweg. The surrounding area thus offers a range of topics for planning your trip: a named trail and a fortification with historical significance. You can note these places as possible points of interest if you would like to include history in your plans alongside the landscape.

Black Forest houses and historical traces

Böllen has beautiful Black Forest houses with traditional covered galleries, some of which date back to the 18th century. These galleries give the houses a distinctive architectural feature. The local field names Silberwald, Silberberg, Silberbach and Erzloch also recall the area’s former mining activity. According to local oral tradition, the Celts were already engaged in mining; the pits have long since fallen into disrepair. Thus, specific architectural features stand alongside an orally transmitted mining history: the houses display traditional covered galleries, while the former pits are described as derelict historical traces.

Getting here and planning your trip

The L 131 from Neuenweg to Wembach is Böllen’s main road. From Lörrach, follow the B 317 to Wembach, then turn off towards Böllen. Check current road conditions before setting out. When choosing your destination, you can consider whether Böllen’s natural environment and local history are your main focus, or whether you would also like to include cultural offerings in Lörrach in your plans.

Cultural offerings in Lörrach

Lörrach is a separate cultural and urban destination. The city lies in the Markgräflerland region in southwestern Baden-Württemberg, directly on the Swiss border and close to the neighboring city of Basel. The Dreiländermuseum Lörrach has a permanent exhibition covering around 1,000 square meters. The Lörrach Sculpture Trail runs through the city and features 23 sculptures, fountains and monuments created by renowned sculptors.

The Burghof Lörrach’s cultural program includes singing and music, dance, cabaret, literature and children’s theater. Burghof Lörrach GmbH organizes the international STIMMEN Festival every year. If you would like to plan around a specific event date, check the current program. The Lörrach weekly market is also part of the city’s history: it has been held since 1403. Alongside Böllen’s forests, rocks and local history, these examples offer a distinct cultural dimension to your trip planning.

Discover more destinations

Inzlingen, Zell Im Wiesental, Fischingen, Rümmingen, Schopfheim, Fröhnd, Rheinfelden, Hertingen

For the broader travel overview: Lörrach.