Kirchzarten: History and Trails on the Giersberg

Local highlights range from a Celtic site and historic buildings to a short circular walk and a longer mountain biking tour. You can also factor train travel into your plans.

Local History in Kirchzarten

East of Kirchzarten, within the Burg district, a Celtic oppidum stood on a terrace between the Rotbach and Wagensteigbach streams. Parts of its fortifications are still visible, while further remains have been identified through archaeological evidence. The site thus combines visible remains with finds documented underground; both are part of the history of the same settlement.

Another historic landmark is the Talvogtei, which was originally a medieval moated castle. St. Gallus parish church became the parish church for the entire Zarten Basin when the valley’s centre shifted to this church town. Kirchzarten therefore brings together different aspects of local history: a Celtic fortification, a medieval castle and the development of a religious centre for the basin.

Hiking and Cycling

The easy circular walk “To the Giersberg Chapel” starts at the Tourist Information office in Kirchzarten’s pedestrian zone. It is 5.14 kilometres long, with 103 metres of elevation gain and 102 metres of descent. The ascent and descent differ by just one metre. As official route data may be updated, check the latest information before planning your hike.

At 34.1 kilometres, the mountain biking tour “Kirchzarten – In the Footsteps of the Black Forest Ultra-Bike” is considerably longer than the 5.14-kilometre circular walk and has 1,050 metres of elevation gain. The elevation gain is an additional factor to consider when planning; when comparing the tours, take both their lengths and their different elevation figures into account.

If you would like to add more hikes to your selection, the Dreisamtal hiking booklet is a helpful guide: it features 30 top tours and is available free of charge from the Tourist Information office in Kirchzarten.

Giersberg and Practical Information

From the Giersberg, the view stretches across Kirchzarten and the Dreisamtal as far as Freiburg and the Vosges. There is also a forest playground for children on the Giersberg. If this is relevant to your plans, check the facility’s current status before visiting, as such amenities can change.

At the Dreisamtal cycle path in Kirchzarten, close to the outdoor swimming pool, there is a bicycle service station stocked with tools for minor repairs. The station is a useful landmark for cyclists; check its accessibility before your trip.

The Dreisamtal can be reached by Deutsche Bahn via Kirchzarten station. Check the current timetable when planning your journey, as transport connections may change.

Discover more destinations: Munzingen, Ebringen, March, Gottenheim, Oberglottertal, Breisach Am Rhein, Ehrenkirchen, Müllheim

For the regional travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.