Hornisgrinde and Mummelsee Circular Loop

The starting point is listed online as “Parkplatz Skilift Seibelseckle”, the Seibelseckle car park. To get there, see the “Practical Information” section.

(S/E) Take the path leading uphill at the far end of the car park, behind the Rasthütte: there’s a drinking water spring on the left at the start of the path. Walk 150 metres to reach the junction where three different paths meet.

(1) Take the middle one, signposted with white text on a mauve background reading “Mummelsee-Hornisgrindepfad”, accompanied by a small navy blue logo bearing the words “Schwarzwald Genießerpfade”. You’ll come to a steep, uphill path where it’s easy to slip if you’re distracted or not paying attention to other walkers. Take care!

(2) Carry on straight up, following the mauve sign at this junction. Further up, you’ll reach a crossroads.

(3) You have now completed the longest and steepest climb of the hike. Continue to follow the purple sign as you circle the Hornisgrinde, the highest peak in the Northern Black Forest, along a path that is partly paved, wooden or tarmacked.

(4) At this junction, turn left, still following the purple sign. A little further on, you can climb the observation tower (Bismarckturm) for a breathtaking view of the Alsace plain and the other side of the Black Forest. On a clear day, you can see Strasbourg Cathedral. On your way back down, continue along the flat path leading to the Grinde-Hütte.

Once you reach the Hornisgrinde Tower (Hornisgrindeturm), carry straight on without following the path indicated by the purple sign, so that you end up facing the Grinde-Hütte. You can grab a bite to eat at this little restaurant, either inside or at the counter just outside. After stopping there, turn left or right as you leave the building.

(5) Take the small path leading down from the road and you’ll soon reach a junction where you can go left or right. Turn right to reach, 50 metres further on, a viewpoint overlooking the Mummelsee, your next stop.

(6) Continue along the same path and, after about 400 metres, you’ll join a path shaded by trees. From here, follow the Red Diamond markings which appear on some of the trees. After taking a wide bend to the left, you’ll come within sight of the Mummelsee inn.

(7) This is a very busy spot, especially at lunchtime, which runs from 11.15 am to 3 pm. You can choose to walk round the lake, as shown on the map: a short, flat walk that’s much busier than anything you’ve seen so far, but which is nonetheless very pleasant, with its many small beaches and the Ondine sculpture. To do this, head down to the water’s edge and follow the lake’s shoreline, ignoring the road that branches off to the left. At the end of the walk, by the car park, follow the road to the left. If you don’t want to walk around the lake, walk straight past the inn. Then walk along the left-hand side of the car park so that you’re on the pavement to the left of the road.

(8) Take the dirt track on the left which climbs towards a car park and continue along the path at the end of the car park.

(9) Continue along the track, keeping to the right, to return to the junction you passed at the start of the walk.

(1) Head back down to the right; you can already see the Seibelseckle car park (S/E).

Please note: this walk can be challenging in bad weather, as the start is very steep, and snow is common here in winter.

The starting point is accessible by car, just under an hour’s drive from Strasbourg. There are three different free car parks; the one directly off the road is usually more than adequate. This is the one from which you’ll set off on foot, as described in the guide.
It is possible to park in several different car parks around Mummelsee and start the walk at a different point, but the Seibelseckle car park is much less busy.

The starting point can also be reached by train and then bus, travelling from Strasbourg to Appenweier on the TER, then from Appenweier (Bahnhof Appenweier stop) to Achern (Bahnhof Achern) on bus 7135 towards Bühl Bf, then from Achern (Bahnhof Achern) to the Seibelseckle car park (Nationalpark Seibelseckle, Seebach (Baden) stop) on bus 400 towards Nationalparkzentrum Ruhestein.
Don’t forget to take some change for the bus, as well as for food and drink if you wish – they don’t always accept bank cards.

There are three places where you can buy food and drink during the hike:
- at the Rasthütte Seidelseckle (S/E),
- the Grinde-Hütte,
- the Mummelsee inn, though this is very busy.

There is a drinking water tap at the start of the trail, in case you’ve forgotten to fill your water bottles.

It is advisable to wear walking boots (not trainers) and to use walking poles for this hike.

You can admire the varied scenery along the entire route, particularly on reaching the (3) and between the (5) and the (7).

During the walk around the Hornisgrinde, you’ll be able to enjoy a panoramic view of the Alsace plain by climbing the observation tower at (4), and on the other side, a panoramic view of the Black Forest mountain range.

150 metres past (5), you can enjoy an unobstructed view of Lake Mummelsee from a dedicated viewpoint (6).