Hikes, Bikes, and Day Trip from Gengenbach

Some Gengenbach tips listed here by Russ.
https://community.ricksteves.com/travel-forum/germany/trains-through-northern-part-of-black-forest

On Komoot you can find and plan hikes and bikes.

Thanks to both MarkK and Russ! Very helpful information.

Well, I don't see Russ' post so I'm not sure what he wrote, but regardless, I'm so glad you're going to Gengenbach! I stayed in Gengenbach in the Black Forest for 4 nights in 2022 and absolutely loved it. The town is very charming with beautiful half-timbered houses (it's frequently called a "chocolate box" village) and has a beautiful Altstadt, with quite a few restaurants and cafes to choose from. Gengenbach makes a good base as it is right on the main train line, and gives you the options of some interesting day trips, including taking a day trip to Strasbourg, France, which is a quick 40 minute train ride away.

Certainly walking through town can lead to some treasures. The town church (Saint Marion) is quite beautiful, and the medieval gates to the city are really interesting. The Benedictine Abbey is also worth a visit, and behind it are some cloistered gardens that were a joy to wander through. This was one of my favorite places. It was peaceful and inviting and I could have stayed for hours. There were little signs of inspiration scattered around, and some children from a nearby kindergarten playing on one side.

Also don't miss a walk through Engelgasse and Höllengasse streets, near the Tourist Info Ctr. (TIC). Here you will find cobblestones and half-timbered houses, flower pots and cats resting on doormats and quaint dolls in the window. I felt like I had walked back in time when I strolled through these quaint and narrow streets.

In terms of hikes, there is a nice hike you can take that will get you above the town with some absolutely beautiful views of the town below. The hike ends up at a church called St. Jakob auf dem Bergle that sits above town. The TIC in town will have maps showing you how to get there. it was a really nice hike and as I said, the views are just lovely! Interestingly, this is part of an ancient pilgrimage route along the Camino de Santiago.

Here is one website I used a lot, and this has a section devoted to hiking in the Black Forest that you should find helpful: https://www.blackforestgermany.com/hiking.php

Mardee, wow, so helpful. It makes us all the more ready to be there. Thanks for your enthusiastic response.

I have not done this but apparently it is one of the more scenic train routes. From Gengenbach take an early train to Bad Krozingen via Donaueschingen and Freiburg. There's a lovely, easy walk, which I have done a couple of times, alongside a creek from Bad Krozingen to Staufen and further onto Munstertal (if you can manage it). Staufen is a picturesque village, more hiking to be done up to the castle ruin and beyond. Return the same way, or a more direct, quicker route via Offenburg. Staufen has a train station.

Strasbourg is close by. A long day should be enough.

Freiburg is worth a day. Up a slight hill to the east of the the old town is the Aussichtsturm observation deck, which was closed down hen I was there. Beyond that are some nice wooded trails and a country inn not too far away. Market day is Wednesday, I think, around the cathedral.

Oh, give a little thought to Konstanz, which will offer you some different scenery.

Great ideas. Thanks, Gundersen.

I appreciate all the information about Gengenbach as my sister and I are planning to spend 3 nights there in October and are looking forward to some hiking in the area. Does any one have suggestions on places to stay and favorite restaurants?

I appreciate all the information about Gengenbach as my sister and I are planning to spend 3 nights there in October and are looking forward to some hiking in the area. Does any one have suggestions on places to stay and favorite restaurants?

purplebas, you might want to start your own thread, as replies to this go to the original poster. You will probably get more replies that way, also.

That said, I stayed at the Stadthotel Pfeffermühle near the center of town, and really liked it. The rooms were large, clean and comfortable and the service was wonderful. Some of the restaurants I enjoyed were Cuore di Puglia, an Italian restaurant in town, Pfeffermühle | Wirtshaus 1974 restaurant, and Klosterstube, but really, I don't think you can go wrong with any restaurant in town. And for such a small town, they have a good number of restaurants.

@purpleas - We too stayed at Stadthotel Pfeffermühle and enjoyed it. We came into town on a Sunday holiday so couldn’t drive through town since the main street was blocked off. We took a circuitous route of back roads to get to the hotel. Parking at it was free. We ate at Hotel Restaurant Sonne since it was the only one open that day. The food was fine.

Mardee’s suggestion of the walk to the little pilgrimage church above the town is nice. It is on the St. Jacob’s way.

The town walk where you follow the little bronze markers in the road is a good way to explore the town. I always seem to miss one or two turns when I walk it. The Tourist Office might have a map that also shows the route.

The trail along the Kinzig would be suitable for ebiking.

For eating, the Kosterstube near the Kinzigtor has a small outdoor garden. Last visit I had absolutely the best fried chicken breast that I have EVER eaten.

For a snack, the Toscana Holzofenpizzaria and kebaphaus if you want a pizza or doner ( yum! ).

Be sure to visit the Narren useum in the Nighleturm. Limited hours so be sure to check

Take a train to Triberg for the waterfalls. There is also a hike there.

Schiltach is a nice visit. The town museum is perhaps the best designed small museum I have ever visited

For Strasbourg, the EUROPASS 24 MINI ( 11 Euro for 2 ) which you can purchase at the Gengenbach traiin station kiosk will get you the transportation to/from Strasbourg and bus/tram in the city. Be sure to take the boat ride on the river.

The Vogtsbauernhof outdoor museum is interesting. Nearby is the Gutach Sommerrodelbahn alpine coaster. It’s inexpensive and fun. You can control the speed of the coaster so it os fine for all agrs. I’m in your age group.

Have fun. Gengenbach is a favorite place.

Thanks to a recent inquiry, new information has been coming in that is very helpful to us. Thanks!

Oh, I forgot to mention the Vogtsbauernhof. Stephen is correct and it is definitely worth a visit. It's very easy to get to from Gengenbach and it's right by the train station (although you have to pass through a tunnel under the road to get there). I loved my visit there, and it's in a wonderfully beautiful setting. But do pay attention to their website's instructions for getting there by train, as some people get off at the wrong stop. https://www.vogtsbauernhof.de/en/visit/how-to-get-here