Herzogenhorn nature trail
Starting point is the car park below the Krunkelbachhütte (“Krunkelbach cabin”) at 1245 m altitude
From the car park we have a beautiful view to the summit of the Herzogenhorn and to the rocks of the “Kriegshalde”, the wild romantic top of the Krunkelbach valley, where among others the Herzogenhorn chamois live.
We walk from the car park downhill in a northernly direction and enter the Feldberg-Herzogenhorn nature reserve. After 300m a footpath leaves to the right (blue diamond and green arrow / N), which firstly reaches the lowest point of the pasture and then crosses the Finsterbühlweg, to begin a steep ascent with rocky passages in the upper section. Along this almost alpine area we reach the northeastern hillside of the Herzogenhorn summit, the so-called “Wächtenkessel” – one of the few avalanche runout zones in the Black Forest. At this point, to the right of the footpath, an enclosed high forest grew until until 1951. As a result of heavy snow in winter 1951 it was destroyed by a huge avalanche. Since then the forest has not managed to grow back the same.
The flora on these mountain sides has alpine characteristics and deserves special attention - appropriate information boards highlight this.
The gradually ascending route leads us past the memorial for the gymnastics-founder Jahn to the so-called Schwedenschanze (“Sweden ski jump”) – remains of an earth fortification from the late Middle Ages. Already before this point we experience a first good view to the summit and the towers of the Feldberg by looking behind us. While climbing further towards the Herzogenhorn summit the view across the other areas of the Southern Black Forest become more and more impressive. Many Black Forest summits within 30km make the view as interesting as the open view to the Swabian Alps to the east, the Geising mountains and the Randen mountain north of Schaffhausen. Towards the south we see something in the haze, the Swiss Jura mountain range and to the west, past the mighty Belchen (1414m) and Schauinsland (Freiburgs local mountain 1284m) we see the Vosges in France. The highlight of all views from the Herzogenhorn is the view in good weather (especially in Autumn, Winter and before weather changes) to the Alp range from the Allgäu Alps in the east across Vorarlberg, Austria, and to the Swiss Alps with various summits above 4000m to the parts of the French Alps with Mont Blanc (4810m).
Those who have experienced this view will not forget the sights from the Herzogenhorn so quickly. A panorama information board also provides the relevant explanations. Even the view down to the Bernau valley and the neighbouring valley of Menzenschwand is impressive from up here.
The nature trail leads us further in a south-westerly direction, slightly descending, to the end of the “Herzogenhornweges”. On this path we walk downhill further to the east through interesting high-altitude beech forests, over the “Krunkelbachsattel” and we finally reach our starting point at the car park beneath the Krunkelbachhütte.
Those who would like to take a sportier route reach the nature trail from the hiking car park in Hof (500m altitude ascent to the Herzogenhorn summit!). The track leads us onto the old ”Krunkelbachweg” 800m uphill until a narrow path turns off to the right (yellow diamond & green arrow/N), which takes us to the romantic pavillion viewpoint, giving the first unique views across the Bernau valley. From here we walk in a northerly direction moderately steep uphill around several bends to the “Hofmättleweg”. On the right, pass an interesting geological Gersten rock formation with potash feldspar cristalls, to the turning onto the Herzogenhorn path. Follow this track to the left until you reach a bend, where we turn right after a few metres to meet the track from the Krunkelbach car park. Follow this track as described above.
To return to Bernau-Hof we cross the Herzogenhorn summit. After this, we descend from the end of the Herzogenhorn path down into the valley turning into a narrow footpath (signposted with green arrow/N and yellow diamond) to the Hofmättleweg and then finally across the pavillion viewpoint back to the car park in Bernau-Hof.
Regardless from which side you approach the nature trail - whether from the comfortable alternative from the Krunkelback car park or the strenuous route with beautiful scenery from Bernau-Hof - please take note of the signposting along the way for points of interest. Even better would be to take the small leaflet “Der Naturlehrpfad Herzogenhorn” (“The Herzogenhorn Nature Trail”) with comprehensive explanations with you, which you can collect in the Bernau Rathaus (town hall) next to the Tourist Information centre or in the Krunkelbachhütte.
