By Vicky · Published May. 5th, 2023 · Updated Jan. 7th, 2024
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This pleasant walk to Burgbachwasserfall (Burgbach Waterfall) is also known as the Klösterle Schleife, or Cloister Loop.
Burgbachwasserfall Hiking Map
Get the route by downloading the .gpx or .kml file below. For navigation with Maps.me on your mobile phone, simply download the .kml file and open to add it to the Maps.me bookmarks.
Location
The Burgbachwasserfall Walk starts from a car park by the side of the road, about 20 minutes southwest of Freudenstadt in the Black Forest.
Tips
- The car park and walking route can get busy, especially on sunny summer weekends, so arrive early.
- You can stay right at the start of this hike*, or in a lovely hotel halfway around the walk*.
- This walk is signed ‘Genießerpfade’.
- Take some coins if you want a drink from the self-service drinks station.
- For other hikes nearby try the Buhlbach Lake and Lotharpfad Hike or Harmersbacher Vesperweg Hike. For shorter walks, try the Hademar Waldwichtel Trail or Brandenkopf Walk. For more hikes, check out our Germany Hiking Page.
Burgbachwasserfall Walking Route
From the car park, head towards the forest across the stream and take the first left. After walking through a field you enter the woods. Keep right at the fork and the path becomes narrow as it contours along the slope. Turn left up the hill when you reach the track, then take the next left on the track at the top.
This path winds around the hillside and soon you’ll see the Burgbachfelsen Viewpoint Pavilion high above. Soon you’ll reach a stream, the Burgbach, and a self-service drinks station. Inside the tree are some bottled soft drinks and beers, together with the price list and an honesty box.
Burgbach Waterfall
Continue onward and soon you’ll see the main waterfall, the Burgbachwasserfall, through the trees to your right. Take the path up to the top and you’ll reach the base of Bughbach Waterfall. It’s nice and cool here, even in mid-summer. There are several rocks you can sit on, plus one bench (often taken by other people!).
After admiring the waterfall, head back a little way and now take the path heading upwards on the right. This is the main section of climb on the walk. The trail zigzags its way up between some rocky cliffs.
Burgbachfelsen Viewpoint
Head left at the top to reach Burgbackfelsen, the pavilion with great views over the valley below. To the right are a couple of picnic benches, still with great views, so a great place to have a drink and a snack.
When you’re ready, continue on the path up through the field to the small country road. If you don’t want to walk much further, you can stroll back down this road to reach the car park back at the bottom. If you want a longer walk through the woods, head across the road and turn left along the track.
Walking through the Woods
You’ll soon be back amongst the trees and the path contours through the woodland with some gentle ups and downs. Unfortunately, there aren’t any good views from the trail since it’s blocked by trees, but it’s quite a nice walk in the woods.
Eventually, the route heads left and out of the trees into the fields above the town of Bad Rippoldsau. The path now continues downwards to the bottom of the valley. You can see the cloister a short distance to your right – open for visits during the daytime.
Cross the main road and the river, then turn left through the field to continue on the Klösterle Schleife (Cloister Loop). After a bit of flat walking by the river, the walk heads left and steeply up a path into the woods. There’s not so much uphill and soon you’re back on a small path that contours along the slope.
The woods on this side are less dense. There are more deciduous trees and it’s a very pleasant stroll along this little trail. After a few kilometres, the path descends into a field and you’ll see the car park where you started and the end of the Burgbachwasserfall Walk.
For other hikes nearby try the Buhlbach Lake and Lotharpfad Hike or Harmersbacher Vesperweg Hike. For shorter walks, try the Hademar Waldwichtel Trail or Brandenkopf Walk. Alternatively, check out our Germany Hiking Page for more great hikes nearby and for walking tours of the famous Bavarian cities.