Hausach: Rivers, Hiking Trails and Discoveries

Hausach lies right where the Gutach and Kinzig rivers meet. The Kinzig flows 93 kilometers through the Black Forest from east to west, giving the town a special connection to its riverside landscape. Visitors who choose Hausach as a destination can combine hiking trails and viewpoints with swimming, mining history and regional food.

Hiking Between the River and the Ridge Trail

The Hausach hiking trail network covers 110 kilometers. One challenging, athletic route is the Hausacher Bergsteig: the 13.61-kilometer trail is a Black Forest Genussweg and is considered very challenging. Its length and difficulty rating make it a specific option for anyone planning a long hike. The Abenteuerpfad is another possibility for the day.

The Abenteuerpfad leads to the 800-year-old ruins of Husen Castle and to viewpoints overlooking Hausach and the Kinzig Valley. The trail is freely accessible and admission is free. It starts at the water-treading facility at the end of Kreuzbergweg; it takes about 20 minutes to walk there from the center of Hausach. This makes it possible to combine the trail with views of the castle ruins and the surrounding landscape, without needing an admission ticket.

For a more leisurely stroll, the Hausacher Kinzigdamm offers a quiet, relaxing walk close to town. This means there are different options to choose from: an athletic route considered very challenging, a trail leading to Husen Castle, and a peaceful walk along the Kinzig embankment.

Water, Relaxation and Mining History

Kinzigtalbad Ortenau combines an indoor pool for year-round use with an outdoor pool and sauna. The pool has areas for swimmers, relaxation and wellness, as well as pools for children and toddlers. The sauna facilities include a panoramic sauna and a sanarium with colored lighting. The baths thus complement the hiking and walking options with a variety of places to enjoy the water and relax.

The “Erzpoche” open-air mining museum offers a different experience: it showcases historic ore processing with a stamping mill, smelting furnace, ore-washing facility and blacksmith’s forge. The grounds are open to walk around at any time and are signposted; admission is charged only for guided tours. Access information may change. Check this visitor information before your trip. The exhibition offers its own perspective on mining history, making it quite different from Hausach’s nature and water experiences.

Farm Produce and Weekly Market

Regional foods are also among the local discoveries. The Ramsteinerhof’s range includes cheese, sausage, eggs, farmhouse bread and schnapps; the farm also offers homemade farmhouse ice cream in several flavors. The Ramsteinerhof uses its own milk to make yogurt, cream cheese, semi-hard cheese, hard cheese and ice cream. The selection and available products may vary.

The Hausach weekly market also offers regional foods, including wood-fired bread, spelt baked goods, seasonal fruit and vegetables, eggs, specialty cheeses and spices. The market’s selection may change. Visitors who enjoy discovering local products during their stay have two different options: farm produce at the Ramsteinerhof and the weekly market’s selection.

Getting There and Choosing Your Stay

Hausach can be reached from Offenburg by regular services on the Black Forest Railway and the Ortenau S-Bahn. Check the current timetable before traveling. When deciding where to stay, it may help to first work out what kind of trip you want: would you like to focus on a challenging hike, include Husen Castle and mining history, or combine walks, swimming and regional specialties? Hausach’s offerings range from outdoor activities to culture and relaxation; tailor your search to the focus that matters for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Kippenheim, Gengenbach, Seebach, Lautenbach, Schwanau, Ortenberg, Fischerbach, Bad Peterstal-Griesbach.

Return to the main travel overview: Ortenaukreis.