Westweg: stage 11 west (Wiedener Eck - Kandern)
Belchen and Blauen are two of the highest Black Forest peaks on this program. Belchen is considered one of the most beautiful, rustic, and alpine-like peaks in the Black Forest. Its stunning massif towers over the surrounding valleys with powerful steep wooded flanks. Blauen, by contrast, leans far into the Rhine region. The descent into the Markgräfler Land represents the start of a gradual departure from the Black Forest.
difficult
Distance 32.2 km
From Wiedener Eck, the Westweg circles Heidstein on small trails and then climbs through steep mountain hillsides to Krinne. The crown prince of the Black Forest begins to take shape at Belchen. A steep, rocky, and alpine climb – enriched with deep views into Münstertal valley – ascends through the mountainous forest until it reaches the bald summit. From the edge of the forest, there is a detour directly to the peak (1,414m). The Westweg runs parallel to the hillside to the Belchenhaus, the highest restaurant in the state of Baden-Württemberg since 1898. What a show! From the summit, the view encompasses the entire Southern Black Forest all the way to the shining ice giants in the Alps. 700 meters further down, the Kleine (small) and Große (large) Wiesental valley extends through idyllic villages. The trail continues through a one-of-a-kind mountain forest with sorbus shrubs above the “southern wall” of Belchen with a descent that is gradual at first but grow steeper. There are a few handrails to assist hikers over particularly exposed spots. Passing the chapel Dekan-Strohmeyer-Kapelle, the trail follows the edge of the forest to Haldenhof estate. While descending to the Kreuzweg parking lot, the narrow trail snakes around the Weiherfelsen cliffs. This is followed by a recovery section on quiet forest trails up to Müllheimer Egerten. From there, the trail leads over the steep northern flank to the iron tower Blauenturm (1,165 m). From here, it’s all downhill! The section passing over the mystic Hexenplatz and Sausenburg fortress ruins is so interesting that before hikers realize it, they have reached Kandern.
Author’s recommendation
Those who find this stage to be to long can divide it up into two days. To do so, take an alpine climb over the Rosenfelsen cliffs and Hohfelsen cliffs to Neuenweg. On the following day, pass over the enchantingly beautiful Nonnenmattweiher to Haldenhof estate, to where the Westweg also follows a more direct path via Hohe Kelch.

Author
Sascha Hotz
Update: May 23, 2022
Difficulty
difficult
Stamina
Experience
Landscape
Highest point
1,369 m
Lowest point
347 m
Best time of year
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Track types
Asphalt
2.1 km
Dirt road
9.9 km
Nature trail
12 km
Path
7.9 km
Road
0.3 km
Start
Westwegportal Wiedener Eck in Wieden (1,036 m)
Coordinates:
DD
47.845020, 7.866836
DMS
47°50'42.1"N 7°52'00.6"E
UTM
32T 415218 5299696
w3w
///kites.clutches.gels
Destination
Kandern
Note
all notes on protected areas
Public transport
If the 32,2 km are a bit much for you, you can take bus 7306 in the morning from Wiedener Eck toward Belchenbahn. You can then take the Belchenbahn gondola to reach the top of Belchen.
To Wiedener Eck: Take train/bus from Freiburg (via Kirchzarten, Felberg-Bärental, Basel or Münstertal). Journey duration 1-2 hours.
From Kandern: take bus to Basel, Müllheim or Eimeldingen. There, take the train toward Freiburg. Ride duration: 1-2 hours.
Coordinates
DD
47.845020, 7.866836
DMS
47°50'42.1"N 7°52'00.6"E
UTM
32T 415218 5299696
w3w
///kites.clutches.gels
Arrival by train, car, foot or bike
Reviews
Difficulty
difficult
Distance
32.2 km
Duration
8:00 h
Ascent
872 m
Descent
1,562 m
Highest point
1,369 m
Lowest point
347 m
Statistics
Maps and trails
- 21 Waypoints
- 21 Waypoints
Distance
km
Duration
: h
Ascent
m
Descent
m
Highest point
m
Lowest point
m
Questions and answers
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Rating
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