Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach: Nature and Hiking

When searching for hotels in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, you can first decide whether hiking, natural attractions or culture should shape your stay. The municipality lies in the Wolftal valley at elevations between 400 and 900 metres. Its named attractions offer different highlights—from geological landforms to history and architecture.

Natural Attractions and Landscapes

Lake Glaswaldsee is located in a nature reserve in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach. It is a glacial cirque lake carved out of sandstone. Burgbach Waterfall plunges more than 32 metres over a rock face and is considered one of Germany’s highest free-falling natural waterfalls.

At Burgbach Rock, a winding path and steps lead uphill; a shelter there offers panoramic views. The Klösterle Loop also leads to Burgbach Waterfall. Another distinctive sandstone formation is Kastelstein in Bad Rippoldsau: this natural monument is located at an elevation of 823 metres.

Choosing Hiking Trails and Routes

The Klösterle Loop is an eight-kilometre premium circular hike around Klösterle Bad Rippoldsau to Burgbach Waterfall. Two pavilions offer views: one at Schießhüttele and one at Burgbach Rock. Check local trail conditions before hiking.

The Augenblick Loop in Wolftal, near Schapbach, is longer at 9.6 kilometres and has a total elevation gain of 360 metres; route details were published in 2024. In a direct comparison of length, the Klösterle Loop is 1.6 kilometres shorter. The Augenblick Loop follows the Wolf river, climbs Kupferberg with views of the upper Wolftal, and returns via Löchle.

Learning Along the Way

The Forest Culture House in Holzwald offers forest education courses on the geology of the Wolftal, forest habitats and water ecology. Visitors can identify tree species using cross-sections and examine the composition of bark under a stereomicroscope.

The Alternative Wolf and Bear Park Black Forest in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach has walking paths accessible to strollers and wheelchairs; forest roads with steeper climbs run alongside them. Check the accessibility of the paths you plan to use before arriving.

Getting There and Access to Viewpoints

Schapbach can be reached from Hausach or Freudenstadt by bus routes 7266 and F13. At weekends, a leisure bus runs from Hausach through the Wolftal to Kniebis. Bus services may change, so check the timetable before travelling.

The AugenBlick viewpoint cannot be reached directly by car; a short footpath leads there from the Kupferberg car park. Local parking conditions may change, so check them before your trip.

Local History and Pilgrimage Site

Local history distinguishes between the two settlements: Rippoldsau was first documented in 1179, while Schapbach was first mentioned in 1222. Both were formerly possessions of the Fürstenberg family.

The Mater Dolorosa Church, with the former monastery in Bad Rippoldsau-Schapbach, is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site. Its architecture is Neoclassical; its historical roots reach back to a Benedictine priory dating from the 12th century.

Discover more destinations: Bad Rippoldsau, Kniebis, Freudenstadt, Reinerzau, Baiersbronn, Horb am Neckar, Loßburg, Seewald.

Go to the main travel overview: Freudenstadt.