Altenschwand: Hiking and History

Altenschwand can be explored through two themes: the history of the village and the hiking destinations on the Totenbühl. When planning your trip, it helps to distinguish between the village, its surroundings and the wider destination of Rickenbach. The Marienkapelle on the Totenbühl is in the vicinity of Altenschwand; other hiking and landscape destinations belong to the wider Rickenbach area. If you are looking for a hotel for a trip to Altenschwand, these distinctions can help you decide whether local history, a specific hiking route or scenic views best suit the purpose of your trip.

Historical traces in Altenschwand and Glashütten

Altenschwand originated as a scattered settlement and was first mentioned in official documents around 1300. The village is home to St. Anthony of Padua Chapel, built in 1895. The two dates mark different historical periods: the early mention of the settlement and the later construction of a place of worship. The historical span here runs from the medieval mention to the year 1895, when the chapel was built.

Glashütten is one of the oldest glassmaking settlements in the Black Forest. It was first mentioned in official documents in 1257 and was then a small glassblowing village. In 1301, the Teutonic Order’s commandery in Beuggen had an estate in Glashütten. The years 1257 and 1301 add two further historical reference points to the account of Altenschwand, which dates to around 1300.

Hiking destinations and views on the Totenbühl

The Marienkapelle is a hiking destination on the Totenbühl, in the vicinity of Altenschwand. From the forest edge to the southwest, the view extends across Altenschwand and Rickenbach to Switzerland and, when the weather is right, to a panorama of the Swiss Alps. The viewpoint thus combines a named location with long-distance views whose extent depends on the weather.

A route description gives the Abhau’s elevation as 935 metres. Another specific measurement is provided for the circular hike from Rickenbach to the Totenbühl: it is 9.41 kilometres long. When planning, you can read the figures separately: 935 metres is the elevation of the Abhau, and 9.41 kilometres is the length of the circular hike.

A dedicated winter hiking route

The Strick–Naturfreundehaus–Abhau–Altenschwand winter hiking trail runs from the Strick hiking car park via the Naturfreundehaus and Abhau to Altenschwand. Its route is therefore described differently from the circular hike to the Totenbühl: the winter trail lists a sequence of stops and ends in Altenschwand, while the Totenbühl route is designated as a circular hike. This distinction can help you choose between a trail with a clearly stated endpoint and a circular route. Before setting out on a winter hike, check the seasonal conditions.

More destinations in the wider Rickenbach area

In the wider Rickenbach area, the certified Hotzenpfad premium hiking trail is consistently signposted separately. The marked trail network offers hiking opportunities through valleys, highlands, rivers, forests and meadows. The Strahlbrusch waterfall offers a different perspective on the landscape: a rocky outcrop with a safety railing provides a view of the rugged cliffs over which the Seelbach plunges into the Murg Valley.

The historic Wallmauer is another Rickenbach attraction. It is the partially well-preserved remains of an old fortification; its course can be followed on the Pirschweg from Bergalingen to Rüttehof. The Solfelsen is a geological landmark, registered as a natural monument since 1950. The 5.40-metre-high stone, weighing about 230 tonnes, is not a glacial erratic but was formed by prolonged weathering. In Rickenbach, hiking trails, historical traces and natural features complement the local attractions of Altenschwand.

For the wider travel overview: Rickenbach.