Discover Todtnauberg: History, Chapel and Waterfall

Todtnauberg brings together a long local history, forest trails, a memorial chapel and the Todtnau Waterfall. The village was founded around 750 years ago as a mining settlement in a high valley open to the south. Its history makes Todtnauberg a destination to discover not only through individual outings, but also through the development of its tourism interests.

From mining settlement to summer retreat

The first holidaymakers came to Todtnauberg in 1870. They were called “summer visitors”—a reference to the reason for travelling at the time. Another milestone followed in 1906 with the founding of the ski club: this gave tourism a further boost, and Todtnauberg began to make a name for itself as a winter sports resort, too. The two dates mark different chapters in the village’s history, from summer retreats to winter sports.

Designated sledding areas are also among the local activities on offer today.

Fatima Chapel on Bergerhöh

The Fatima Chapel on Bergerhöh is a place for reflection, with a fantastic view of Todtnauberg. The people of Todtnauberg built it in memory of those who fell in the two world wars. The view and the memorial purpose give the chapel two closely connected but distinct aspects: it is both a place overlooking the village and a memorial.

If you are interested in the cultural history of a destination, the chapel adds a later chapter of remembrance to Todtnauberg’s development from a former mining village. Alongside the trails and nature experiences, a place with a specific historical dedication also takes centre stage.

Todtnau Waterfall and BLACKFORESTLINE

The Todtnau Waterfall is located in the Todtnau destination, between the holiday resorts of Todtnauberg and Aftersteg. It has a drop of 97 metres, making it Baden-Württemberg’s highest natural waterfall. Various trails lead directly from Todtnauberg to the waterfall and on to the BLACKFORESTLINE suspension bridge. A nature trail that is not accessible to people with reduced mobility leads from Todtnauberg to the waterfall’s largest cascade.

At the entrance to Todtnauberg, the 450-metre-long BLACKFORESTLINE crosses the waterfall at a height of around 120 metres. The structure is supported by 76-millimetre steel cables and 16-metre-high pylons. This outing brings nature and engineering together: the waterfall with its drop, and the bridge, whose length and design offer their own points of reference.

Forest trail and winter activities

Near Todtnauberg, the Horneradsch Forest and Sensory Trail winds through the woods above the village. This themed adventure trail is around 2.5 kilometres long. It offers a different focus from the trails to the waterfall and bridge: here, the forest is at the heart of the route. Its approximate length can help you weigh up this option against the other experiences mentioned, without implying a specific walking time.

For winter activities, Todtnauberg has designated sledding areas. Together with the history of the ski club, they offer a distinct connection to the village, different from its summer retreats, memorial chapel and forest trail. Which of these aspects matters to your travel plans may also guide your search for accommodation in Todtnauberg.

More perspectives on Todtnau

Todtnau also offers its own cultural and natural attractions. The Todtnau Brush Museum traces the history of the Todtnau brush industry from 1770 to the present day. Its permanent exhibition is dedicated to the life and work of Karl Ludwig Nessler. For visitors interested in craftsmanship and regional industrial history, this offers a different focus from Todtnauberg’s mining and tourism history.

Todtnau also has hiking, cycling and mountain biking routes of varying difficulty, with views of the Black Forest. Todtnau lies in the Southern Black Forest Nature Park and the Black Forest Biosphere Reserve, between Feldberg and Belchen in the Upper Wiese Valley. If you are looking for accommodation, you can decide whether to focus specifically on Todtnauberg or also include Todtnau’s activities and landscape in your travel plans.

Discover more destinations: Aftersteg, Geschwend.

Go to the overarching travel overview: Todtnau.