Kniebis combines monastic history, signposted trails and a viewpoint with winter activities. If you would like to focus your trip on culture and outdoor activities, you will find a range of ideas here to help you plan: from the monastery ruins and herb garden to cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Monastery Ruins and Herb Garden
The Kniebis monastery ruins preserve the remains of a former monastery church. A herb garden featuring common herbs of the 9th century was created beside the ruins. The Kniebis Local History and Heritage Association offers guided tours of the monastery and herb garden. The ruins and garden give local history a tangible setting; the tours bring both subjects together in one visit.
Hiking Trails and Views
The Kniebis local heritage trail starts at the Black Forest High Road Visitor Centre in Kniebis. The Kniebis Monastery Trail offers a different experience: it follows narrow, steep, sometimes damp and consistently uneven paths through wild, unspoilt countryside. Take these features into account when planning your route: the terrain, gradient and dampness shape the character of this trail.
The Ellbachsee Viewpoint offers views down to Lake Ellbachsee, towards Mitteltal and as far as the Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest. The lake, village and mountain are the main focal points here—a different emphasis from the trail conditions on the Monastery Trail.
Nordic Walking, Mountain Biking and Hiking
Five signposted Nordic walking routes start opposite the visitor centre, behind the small car park. Signposted mountain bike routes also start at the small car park opposite the visitor centre. For orientation, the starting point for each activity is important: the Nordic walking routes begin behind the small car park, while the mountain bike routes start at the car park.
A signposted hike through the Forbach Valley leads downhill from Kniebis to Freudenstadt, following the water all the way. Both the starting point and destination are specified here. This distinguishes the route description from the signposted trails whose starting points are given as the visitor centre or the small car park.
Winter Activities and Forest Swimming Pool
Kniebis has almost 100 kilometres of groomed cross-country ski trails and two signposted snowshoe trails. The almost 100 kilometres refers to the cross-country ski trail network; two routes are designated for snowshoeing. If you plan your winter activities around what you want to do, you can distinguish between cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
The Kniebis Forest Swimming Pool has swimming lanes, a paddling pool, and facilities for volleyball and table tennis. Check the current opening hours before planning a day at the pool.
Location and Getting Around
Kniebis is located directly on the Black Forest High Road and about six kilometres from the Black Forest National Park. The Black Forest High Road Visitor Centre in Kniebis is located directly on the B 28 between Freudenstadt and Strasbourg, at the highest point. These details offer different points of reference: the distance is to the national park, while the road location refers to the visitor centre.
In the wider destination of Freudenstadt
In the wider destination of Freudenstadt, the market square is an architectural attraction in its own right. It is considered Germany’s largest market square, is almost square, is lined with historic buildings featuring arcades and has 50 water fountains. Freudenstadt’s Protestant town church stands directly on the market square. Its two naves are at right angles to each other. The square therefore brings together the design of the urban space and an unusual church floor plan.
The Freudenstadt Historic Visitor Mine opened in 1999 to mark the town’s 400th anniversary. Three different levels of difficulty and tour options are offered. Check the current operating arrangements before visiting.
The Friedrich Tower is an observation tower at an altitude of 739 metres. It was built to mark Freudenstadt’s 300th anniversary and is located in the Kienberg spa district. Germany’s highest rose path is also in the Kienberg spa district; the roses bloom seasonally. These two attractions offer different experiences: views from the tower and a path whose roses are seasonal.
The Experimenta interactive museum in Freudenstadt shares fascinating facts about physics, nature and technology and invites visitors to conduct their own experiments. It complements the architecture and history attractions with science and technology.
Discover more destinations: Freudenstadt, Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, Reinerzau, Schopfloch, Baiersbronn, Glatten, Pfalzgrafenweiler, LoĂźburg
Back to the main travel overview: Freudenstadt.
