A lovely discovery in the Black Forest at Breitnau

Enter the magnificent Ravenna Gorge, where the torrent winds its way through numerous waterfalls and beautiful wooden bridges. The return route, the ‘Jakobusweg’, follows the Rotbach stream past several sawmills and mills, and the magnificent viaduct over which the Höllental train passes.
A varied outing full of contrasts!

Details

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  • Walking
    Activity: Walking
  • ↔
    Distance: 7.37 km
  • ◔
    Average duration: 2h 45 
  • ▲
    Difficulty: Easy

  • ⚐
    Back to start: Yes
  • ↗
    Ascent: + 227 m
  • ↘
    Descent: - 224 m

  • ▲
    Highest point: 925 m
  • ▼
    Lowest point: 715 m

Photos

Description of the walk

Head to the start by road to Höllsteig 76, Breitnau, and take the exit towards the Sternen hotel-restaurant. After passing under the road, take the pay-and-display car park on your right.

(S/E) Head towards the Sternen hotel-restaurant, then pass between the glassworks and the cuckoo clock house.

(1) After the restaurant, continue for 20 m towards the old customs house, then retrace your steps and climb up to the left towards the viaduct, following the yellow markings.
Walking along the Ravenna, you’ll cross several wooden bridges and climb iron staircases.

(2) Admire the beautiful cascades and waterfalls: the large one is 16 m high and the small one 6 m. Continue along the path.

(3) Do not go straight on along the ‘private road’ but head up to the left to go round the house.

(4) At the junction, turn left towards Obere Schlucht and, before the houses, take the path on the right.

(5) Obere Schlucht: turn right and head towards Seitrieb.

(6) At the signpost, turn right onto the Rössleberg and, at the second junction in the meadows, turn right.

(7) Continue along the path on the right to the Höllsteig road and follow the red-and-white White Diamond markings.

(8) At the junction, turn left then take the small path on the right which passes under the main road. After the tunnel, turn left; when you reach the road, stay on the pavement for 25 m and turn right onto Höllsteig, following the White Diamond and Red Diamond markings.

(9) Go under the railway bridge and turn right onto Jakobusweg, which runs alongside the Rotbach, where you will see old timber mills and sawmills.

(10) Turn right onto Höllsteig, which passes under the main road. Then cross the small road leading to the hotel and, after 10 m, turn left onto the path that descends and leads to the car park (S/E).

Waypoints

  1. S/E : km 0 - alt. 732 m - Parking
  2. 1 : km 0.44 - alt. 722 m - Former customs post
  3. 2 : km 0.96 - alt. 807 m - Waterfalls
  4. 3 : km 1.93 - alt. 886 m - Please note: private road
  5. 4 : km 2.04 - alt. 870 m - Mittiere Ravenna
  6. 5 : km 2.42 - alt. 910 m - Upper Gorge
  7. 6 : km 2.66 - alt. 919 m - Seitrieb
  8. 7 : km 3.07 - alt. 906 m - Turn right at the junction
  9. 8 : km 4.05 - alt. 880 m - Crossroads
  10. 9 : km 5.13 - alt. 879 m - Railway bridge
  11. 10 : km 6.98 - alt. 768 m - Exit the forest on the right
  12. S/E : km 7.37 - alt. 732 m - Parking

Notes

(4) At the Ravenna junction, turn right; 50 m further on, there is a small self-service wooden hut stocked with drinks and ice cream.

Please note! The route follows a stream through a gorge, so it may be wet: make sure you wear suitable footwear.

Paid parking at the start: 2025 rates, €3 for 3 hours or €5 for the day.

Worth a visit

Worth visiting before or after: the clock shop with its cuckoo clocks and the beautiful glassworks with its glassblower.
You can eat at Hofgut Sternen.

Reviews and comments

4.7 / 5
Based on 5 reviews

Reliability of the description
4.8 / 5
Ease of following the route
4.4 / 5
Route interest
4.8 / 5
giorgo
giorgo

Overall rating : 4 / 5

Date of your route : Mar 15, 2026
Reliability of the description : ★★★★☆ Good
Ease of following the route : ★★★☆☆ Average
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

This route is definitely worth the trip; the climb up the Ravena Gorge is stunning, even in the snow.
The only downside is that without the Visorando app, we would have struggled to follow the route, due to a lack of signposting or
not precise enough at certain junctions.

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sylviadaniel
sylviadaniel

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Nov 08, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk with lots to discover. Between the viaduct, the old customs house, the sawmills and, of course, the waterfalls. A Christmas market is being set up at the foot of the viaduct, so Christmas enthusiasts take note.

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belladone
belladone

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Jul 14, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

Very beautiful hike. Parking is paid but worth it. Varied landscapes: the first part along the waterfalls is quite busy, then you cross a pretty flower-filled meadow before descending and following a small stream lined with old sawmills

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Charry
Charry

Thank you for your feedback, and keep exploring our beautiful regions
Charry

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Catherine Catouche
Catherine Catouche

Overall rating : 5 / 5

Date of your route : Apr 28, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★★ Very good
Route interest : ★★★★★ Very good
Very busy route : Yes

A lovely walk
A superb path through the woods with waterfalls and small bridges, very well maintained
There are also picnic areas
There’s a charge for parking, but it’s well worth it

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Charry
Charry

Hello Hervé
Thank you for your feedback and for letting us know you enjoyed the short hike.
We’d booked in advance, so we were able to get into the hotel car park using the code.
I’ll add the price of the outdoor car park to the description.
See you soon
Charry

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herve67000
herve67000

Overall rating : 4.3 / 5

Date of your route : Feb 17, 2025
Reliability of the description : ★★★★★ Very good
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★★☆ Good
Very busy route : No

A lovely walk… the first section is an easy climb thanks to the steps and footbridges. A pretty, well-maintained setting along the Ravenna. Take care at point 6… to find the fork in the meadows, you need to climb right to the top, crossing the clearing. The return journey is pleasant, heading downhill along a wide path flanked by two old sawmills.
Please note: paid parking at the start: €3 for 3 hours or €5 for the whole day.

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