Wittnau: Vineyards, Hiking Trails and Village History

Wittnau lies in the Hexental valley, seven kilometres south of Freiburg. Vineyards and wooded slopes surround the village, which also lies in a broad saddle between Schönberg and the Black Forest. When planning a hotel stay, you can choose from several focuses: views and viticulture, local history, or walking and cycling tours.

Landscape and viewpoints

Kapuzinerbuck, Großer Buck and Hasenbuck offer expansive views across the Rhine plain and towards Freiburg. How far you can see depends on vegetation and weather. All three hills are also still used for viticulture. The views and vineyards thus show two sides of the same landscape: the vista across the plain and the use of the slopes.

Village centre, church and Alemannic customs

The historic village centre around the church, town hall and school is the hub of political, religious and cultural life in Wittnau. The church, built in 1795, is considered the last Baroque church built in the Breisgau region. Wittnau is first mentioned by name in written records from St. Gall Abbey in 786. In the village centre, you can encounter both a distinctive church building and a record of the village’s name dating back many centuries.

Wittnau maintains Alemannic customs with regular performances and an annual Alemannic Day. Alemannic singer-songwriters and dialect poets perform at the event. If the event date is important to your travel plans, check the latest dates and programme details in advance.

Hiking and cycling

Wittnau has numerous signposted hiking trails. The Schönberg nature trail comprises two sections that meet near the Unterer Schönberghof inn. You can walk the sections separately or together; the church in Wittnau is one access point to the trail. The nature trail is considered suitable for family outings.

Another hiking route leads from Wittnau, near the church, along the Kuckuckspfad to Berghauser Chapel and as far as the edge of Bollschweil; the return route follows the Schönberg slope. On the nature trail, you can choose to walk one or both sections, while this route is defined by its waypoints and return leg.

The Hexental adventure trail also runs nearby, following a historic route from Au to Bollschweil. The route is approximately ten kilometres long. In the Au section, information boards explain the forest ecosystem, animals, tree species and forestry. Along the trail, you can also discover twelve life-size carved forest animals. Routes, signposting, information boards and installations may change, so check the latest local information before setting out.

Wittnau’s cycle network is considered well developed and suitable for all skill levels. Trail conditions and signposting can also change. Check the latest route information before setting off on a cycling tour.

Getting here and regional orientation

Wittnau can be reached on bus route 7208 from Freiburg and Bad Krozingen. Check the latest timetable before travelling, as routes and times may change. In the wider destination of Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, many places in the district can be reached by train. The free KONUS Guest Card lets you travel free of charge on local trains and buses throughout the Black Forest.

Discover more destinations: Bad Krozingen, Neuenburg am Rhein, Freiburg im Breisgau, Friedenweiler, Eisenbach, Ehrenkirchen, Merzhausen, Schluchsee

View the main travel guide: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.