Schonach in the Black Forest: Nature, Altitude and Experiences

Schonach in the Black Forest combines a striking altitude with a landscape of forests, meadows, pastures, heathland and moors. The valley lies at an elevation of 600 to 1,164 metres; the town centre is at 850 metres. Nature, winter sports and culture give the town a variety of facets: winter sports take centre stage at the Langenwald ski jump, while trails, water and historical objects offer further reasons to explore.

Altitude, Landscape and Nature

The altitude is a prominent point of reference in Schonach. At the same time, the landscape is shaped by a range of terrain: alongside forests, there are open meadows and pastures, heathland and moors. In the Triberg granite massif, rock formations have created larger and smaller waterfalls along the Gutach, Schonach, Elz and Alpirsbach rivers. Rohrhardsberg is part of the Natura 2000 network, which protects rare and endangered species as well as valuable habitats.

Winter Experiences and Trails

The FIS Nordic Combined World Cup takes place at the Langenwald ski jump in winter. The ski jump also offers a virtual reality programme that lets visitors experience ski jumping from the top of the tower. Check the event dates and programme before your trip. This will help you distinguish a winter sporting event from a visit featuring the virtual experience.

The trails also offer a variety of ways to explore. In 2024, the U(h)rwaldpfad trail on Rohrhardsberg was nominated as Germany’s most beautiful hiking trail. The Schalensteinpfad trail is particularly recommended for families. The local rally is aimed at families with children aged six and over. While the age guidance for the rally provides a specific point of reference, the family recommendation is the key guidance for the Schalensteinpfad trail.

Water and Time Together

The seasonal natural swimming pool in Schonach combines swimming with other amenities: the complex includes a children’s playground and a beach volleyball court. The kiosk serves lunch and snacks. As opening arrangements are seasonal and may change, check them before your visit.

The spa park offers a different combination of activities and places to relax. Its facilities include a water playground, a beach volleyball court, mini golf, a footbath facility, a music pavilion, flower meadows and a place to cool off. When planning your visit, it is worth checking the current offerings and their availability.

Sacred Art and the Cuckoo Clock

At St. Urban’s Church, the oldest sacred objects include a baptismal font dating from 1624 and altarpieces from 1747/48. These dates give the artworks a specific historical context. The cuckoo clock in Untertal is described as the world’s first and largest cuckoo clock of its kind. Clockmaker Josef Dold built it with his family between 1977 and 1980. Visitors can enter the clock; check access before your visit.

More to Explore in the Schwarzwald-Baar District

The wider Schwarzwald-Baar district offers additional, distinct nature and cultural experiences. At Kirnbergsee near Bräunlingen-Unterbränd, a 2.5-kilometre circular trail goes around the oval lake and across the dam. The lake is part of a Natura 2000 site; rare plants grow near the shore. Another option is the 109-kilometre cross-border premium hiking trail WasserWeltenSteig. On the German side, it runs entirely through the Schwarzwald-Baar district, from Germany’s highest waterfalls in Triberg to the Rhine Falls near Neuhausen.

Regional transport services are also useful to know about when getting around the Schwarzwald-Baar district. The Wutach Valley Railway runs between Lauchringen and Hintschingen and serves the district between Blumberg-Zollhaus and Riedöschingen. The Move fare applies to all local buses and trains in the districts of Schwarzwald-Baar-Kreis, Tuttlingen and Rottweil. As fare conditions may change, check them before travelling.

The Swabian-Alemannic Fasnet is part of the region’s culture in the Schwarzwald-Baar district. In December 2014, it was added to Germany’s nationwide UNESCO Register of Intangible Cultural Heritage. The carnival lasts six days, from Schmotziger Dunnschtig to Ash Wednesday. A visit to Germany’s highest waterfalls can also be combined with other attractions: the admission ticket also grants access to the Black Forest Museum, Triberg-Fantasy and Triberg-Land. Check the current ticket terms in advance.

Discover More Destinations

Discover more destinations: Sankt Georgen in the Black Forest, Brigachtal, Unterkirnach, Bräunlingen, Triberg in the Black Forest, Gremmelsbach, Villingen-Schwenningen, Hüfingen.

Return to the wider travel guide: Schwarzwald-Baar district.