Kniebis: Hiking Trails, Views and Monastery History

Things to do in Kniebis include hiking, Nordic walking and mountain biking, as well as cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in winter. Other highlights include the monastery ruins with their herb garden, the Ellbachseeblick viewpoint and the outdoor swimming pool. When choosing activities, specific trail features and starting points are just as relevant as seasonal offerings.

Getting oriented and finding trailheads

Kniebis is located directly on the Black Forest High Road and about 6 kilometres from Black Forest National Park. The Black Forest High Road Visitor Centre in Kniebis is right on the B 28 between Freudenstadt and Strasbourg, at the highest point. The Kniebis Local Heritage Trail starts at the visitor centre. Five signposted Nordic walking routes start opposite the visitor centre, behind the small car park in Kniebis. Signposted mountain biking routes also start at the small car park opposite the visitor centre. This means the Nordic walking and mountain biking routes share the same starting point at the car park, while the heritage trail starts at the visitor centre.

Hikes, views and history

The Kniebis Monastery Trail follows narrow, steep, sometimes damp and consistently uneven paths through wild, untamed countryside. These trail characteristics give you a practical basis for choosing a hike. The Ellbachseeblick viewing platform offers a different focus: from there, the view stretches down to Lake Ellbachsee, to Mitteltal and as far as the Hornisgrinde, the highest mountain in the northern Black Forest.

A signposted hike through the Forbach Valley leads downhill from Kniebis to Freudenstadt, following the water all the way. The route offers beautiful spots by the water, including the Laugbrunnenweiher pond. Unlike the Ellbachseeblick viewpoint, the focus here is on the waterside route and Freudenstadt as the destination.

The Kniebis monastery ruins preserve the remains of a former monastery church. An herb garden featuring common 9th-century herbs was created beside the ruins. The Kniebis Local History and Heritage Association offers guided tours of the monastery and herb garden. A tour therefore takes in both the remains of the church and the herb garden.

Winter and other activities

There are almost 100 km of groomed cross-country ski trails on Kniebis. Two snowshoe trails are also signposted. Cross-country skiing is described by its network of trails and approximate length, while snowshoeing is described by the specific number of marked trails.

The Kniebis outdoor swimming pool has swimming lanes, a paddling pool, and facilities for volleyball and table tennis. Check the pool’s current opening hours before visiting.

Freudenstadt in its own urban context

In the wider Freudenstadt travel destination, the market square is considered Germany’s largest. It is almost square, lined with historic buildings with arcades, and features 50 water fountains. The Protestant town church, with two naves set at right angles to each other, also stands on the market square. This urban culture belongs to Freudenstadt and forms a distinct focus alongside the hiking and nature themes of Kniebis.

Discover more destinations: Seewald, Glatten, Empfingen, Dornstetten, Freudenstadt, Pfalzgrafenweiler, Horb Am Neckar, Schopfloch

Back to the main travel overview: Freudenstadt.