Dobel offers trails with clearly distinct themes: a family-friendly circular trail focuses on the forest and play features, the GeoTour leads to the Volzemer Steine rock formations, and another circular trail explores local history. There are also cycling loops of varying distances and cross-country ski trails for different ability levels. The main factors to consider are the theme, length and, in winter, snow conditions.
Hiking trails through forests, past rock formations and into local history
The Forest History Adventure Trail is a 5 km circular route with information boards, a prize competition and play features; it starts at the edge of the forest. Along the way, you can look at rocks, trees and plants, while four activity stations add to the experience for children. The route combines nature observation with playful stops.
The 6 km Dobel GeoTour offers a different perspective: puzzles and an information brochure lead to the Volzemer Steine rock formations and introduce visitors to geology. The start and finish are at the Dreimarkstein hiking car park near Dobel. The Engel-Weg-Dobel, the Forest History Adventure Trail, Annis-Abenteuerweg Dobel and the Westweg also lead to the Volzemer Steine. Dobel is also the Westweg’s first stage destination.
Those who want to combine local history and geology can choose the Local History Adventure Trail, an approximately 8 km circular route. Themed panels tell the story of Dobel’s development and cover historical dates, geological findings and other insights. The trails therefore differ not only in length, but also in focus: the forest and play features, puzzles about the rock formations, or topics from local history.
Water tower and historic buildings
The former Dobel water tower was built in 1937 and once supplied water to the higher-lying parts of the village. Today, it is an observation tower with far-reaching views in every direction; on clear days, the panorama extends from the Vosges to the Odenwald. Check the latest operating details before visiting.
The building history of the Marienkapelle and the present-day church can also be traced through time. The small Marienkapelle was built and consecrated around 1460. Only a few fragments with late Gothic stylistic features remain. The present-day church was built on its site in 1744, after the chapel had fallen into disrepair.
Cycling: comparing two loop routes
The easy Kleine Mannenbach-Schabhausen loop is 19.5 km long. Its route passes Pfützenhäusle, goes around Reischacher Berg, continues to Eyachmühle, then over Dreimarkstein and through Bad Herrenalb-Neusatz before returning to Dobel. The 32.1 km Rund um Dobel cycling loop is longer and passes through forests, by a small pond and along valley meadows. It briefly crosses the urban area of Bad Herrenalb and then returns to Dobel via Weithäusle, with views into the Eyach Valley. Check route details before setting off.
From April to October, the Schwarzwaldverein Dobel cycling group meets every Monday. The group explores the area around Dobel together by bike. If you would like to join, confirm the dates with the club in advance.
Cross-country skiing by length and difficulty
Dobel has three groomed meadow loops, each about 2 km long. Their short circuits and gentle climbs make them especially suitable for beginners. One of the three forest trails is the approximately 3.5 km Zäunle trail; it is groomed when snow depth is sufficient and is manageable for cross-country skiing beginners. Trail operation depends on snow conditions.
The approximately 5 km Hummelstein trail is intended for intermediate skiers. The 6.2 km Klötzbucke trail is suited to experienced cross-country skiers. The stated lengths and difficulty levels show how the forest trails differ; snow conditions determine whether they can be groomed.
Discover more destinations: Neubulach, Altensteig, Unterreichenbach, Höfen An Der Enz, Althengstett, Simmersfeld, Bad Wildbad, Bad Teinach-Zavelstein.
View the regional travel overview: Calw.
