Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach lies in the Wolftal valley at elevations between 400 and 900 metres. The waterfall, cirque lake and sandstone rocks represent different aspects of nature, while several hiking routes with specific distance details make it easier to choose. If you are looking for accommodation here, you can first consider whether a circular hike, a single viewpoint or additional nature and cultural attractions should shape your stay. The specific route details help you gauge how much hiking to include in your stay.
Lake, Waterfall and Sandstone
Glaswaldsee lake is located in a nature reserve in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach. It was carved out of sandstone as a glacial cirque lake. Burgbach Waterfall plunges more than 32 metres over a rock face and is considered one of Germany’s highest free-falling natural waterfalls. Kastelstein in Bad Rippoldsau is another sandstone formation: this distinctive natural monument lies at an elevation of 823 metres. The lake, waterfall and rock thus offer distinct scenic highlights, which you can consider separately or as different focal points when planning your stay.
Hiking Routes and Viewpoints
The Klösterle Loop is an eight-kilometre premium circular hiking route around Klösterle Bad Rippoldsau to Burgbach Waterfall. Two pavilions, at Schießhüttele and Burgbachfelsen, offer views. A switchback path and steps lead up to Burgbachfelsen, where a shelter offers panoramic views.
Route details for the Augenblickrunde Wolftal in Schapbach, published in 2024, list a distance of 9.6 kilometres and 360 metres of elevation gain in total. This makes the stated route 1.6 kilometres longer than the Klösterle Loop; the elevation gain also gives an indication of the climb involved. Check trail conditions before setting out, especially if you are planning around the published route data.
The AugenBlick viewpoint cannot be reached directly by car. A short footpath leads from the Kupferberg car park to the viewpoint. If you are arriving by car, check local parking conditions before your visit.
Forest Education and Accessibility
The Wald-Kultur-Haus in Holzwald offers forest education courses on the geology of the Wolftal valley, forest habitats and water ecology. Visitors can identify tree species using cross-sections of tree trunks and examine the composition of bark under a stereomicroscope. This provides a practical way to explore the forest alongside specific insights into its geology and ecology.
The Alternative Wolf and Bear Park Black Forest in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach has walking paths suitable for pushchairs and wheelchairs, as well as forest roads with steeper climbs. Check accessibility conditions before arriving if they are important to your plans.
Getting There and Local History
Schapbach can be reached by bus from Hausach or Freudenstadt on routes 7266 and F13. On weekends, a leisure bus also runs from Hausach through the Wolftal valley to Kniebis. As timetables may change, check connections for your travel date. The day of the week is particularly worth considering if you plan to include the weekend bus in your journey.
The history of the two settlements also gives your stay a cultural point of reference: Rippoldsau was first documented in writing in 1179, while Schapbach was first mentioned in 1222. Both settlements were once owned by the FĂĽrstenberg family. The Mater Dolorosa Church and former monastery in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach are a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. Its neoclassical architecture sits alongside historical roots dating back to a 12th-century Benedictine priory. Along with nature and hiking destinations, local history and religious heritage thus offer additional themes to consider when planning your trip.
Discover more destinations: Bad Rippoldsau, Reinerzau, Schopfloch, Freudenstadt, Dornstetten, Pfalzgrafenweiler, LoĂźburg, Empfingen.
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