The start and finish of this circular route are at the car park in the hairpin bend on Obertalstraße, near the Elz waterfall. (Elzfälle)
Elzhof–Schonacher Wälderweg circular loop via Blindensee
A pleasant route that initially follows the Elz stream past a beautiful waterfall. The route then follows part of the Schonach forest path, then passes through the Blindenhöhe nature reserve and around Blindensee.
Details
Creation:
Last update:
Last review:
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Activity: Walking -
Distance: 7.89 mi -
Average duration: 4h 35 -
Difficulty: Moderate -
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Back to start: Yes -
Ascent: + 1,070 ft -
Descent: - 1,047 ft -
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Highest point: 3,369 ft -
Lowest point: 2,562 ft
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Country:
Germany
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Area: Forêt Noire -
City:
Schonach im Schwarzwald -
Start/End: N 48.12864° / E 8.156047° -
Hour-by-hour weather
Photos
Waypoints
- S/E : mi 0 - alt. 2,900 ft - Car park – Obertalstraße
- 1 : mi 0.08 - alt. 2,923 ft - Bus stop, Bridge over the Elz
- 2 : mi 0.87 - alt. 2,579 ft - Route (Yellow Diamond)
- 3 : mi 2.15 - alt. 3,212 ft - Gasthaus Wilhelmshöhe
- 4 : mi 4.16 - alt. 3,271 ft - Schonacher Wälderweg (Red Diamond)
- 5 : mi 4.64 - alt. 3,271 ft - Junction (Red Diamond)
- 6 : mi 4.74 - alt. 3,291 ft - Junction marked with a red diamond
- 7 : mi 4.88 - alt. 3,337 ft - Weibenbacher Wald 1020
- 8 : mi 5.49 - alt. 3,333 ft - Weibenbacher Höhe 1010
- 9 : mi 5.85 - alt. 3,182 ft - Vogte (Red Diamond)
- 10 : mi 7.23 - alt. 3,081 ft - Korallenhäuste 930 (Red Diamond)
- 11 : mi 7.52 - alt. 3,071 ft - Barrier (Red Diamond)
- S/E : mi 7.89 - alt. 2,910 ft - Car park – Obertalstraße
Notes
Worth a visit
- Schonach
- Blindensee
- The Elz
Reviews and comments
3.5 / 5
Based on 1 review
Ease of following the route
4 / 5
4 / 5
Route interest
3 / 5
3 / 5
User 17699768
Overall rating : 3.5 / 5
Date of your route : Jul 05, 2026
Ease of following the route : ★★★★☆ Good
Route interest : ★★★☆☆ Average
Very busy route : No
It’s a rather nice route, even if it’s perhaps a tad monotonous...
Let me explain: the walk starts in Schonach, then heads towards the Triberg waterfalls (there’s an entrance fee of €9 per person, but you can avoid it)
I should point out that we skipped the bit through Triberg, which is rather touristy (and busy)...
After that, it’s a mix of walking through the forest and across clearings and fields.
You return to the start via a wide circular route; the elevation gain is very gentle, nothing in particular to mention. The countryside is magnificent and the hamlets you pass through are full of superb chalets!
In short, it’s idyllic, but ultimately not particularly varied, especially as there are very few spots overlooking the valleys, so there aren’t many viewpoints.
Furthermore, you’re quite often on small tarmac roads.
Nevertheless, it was a lovely walk; the fine weather, with a light, cool breeze, made this easy walk all the more enjoyable.
Thanks for sharing.
Machine-translated
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