Genießerpfad – Hahn-und-Henne Circuit in Zell am Harmersbach (Premiumweg)

(Start/Finish) The route starts at the Schwarzer Adler car park (Hauptstraße 205) in Zell-Unterharmersbach. Follow the signpost for the “Schwarzwälder Genießerpfad”.

(1) From there, the route follows a stream and meadow to the Hinterhambach water treading area/barbecue site. A forest track leads off to the right up the hill; past orchards, you reach the first vantage point, the Jägereckle (2) with a first wonderful view of the Harmersbach Valley and the Brandenkopf opposite. At 945 metres, it is the highest peak in the central Black Forest.

(3) After the Jägereckle, turn left, then left again onto a path and then right. You reach the magnificent Höllhaken viewpoint and the lovingly designed seating area with rooster and hen motifs.

(4) Passing the Sodlach farmstead (Sodlach signpost), the route leads through sparse woodland to the Reutegut site. We keep to the right and then turn left. At Reutegut, sitting on a bench, you feel as though you’re a little closer to the sky. Continue along the path, first to the right and then to the left, via Täschenwasen.

(5) The route continues to the Haldeneck plateau, offering views across the Rhine Valley as far as the Vosges.
Shortly after Haldeneck, you reach the historic Vesperstube, which is over 100 years old. You’ve covered a good 9 km.

(6) Meadows surround the ridge around the Vogtshof am Mühlstein. The path leads to the right. As you continue, you’ll enjoy sweeping views of the mountain landscape of the central Black Forest, and on a clear day you can see the Vosges.

(7) You will soon reach the Mostbänkle beneath an ancient oak tree. A good spot to recharge your batteries. Continue straight ahead, then turn left; on the left-hand side you will see the Heugrabeneck mountain hut (8).

(9) Turn right, then left, following a path that quickly curves to the right; the route takes you through sparse woodland and then continues down to the rest area above the Oberburehof in Hinterhambach – you’ve now covered a good 12 kilometres. From here, you can take a short walk down to the popular wine tavern.

(10) Continue straight ahead; at the next fork, keep to the middle and then turn left. You leave the forest, turn left and then right. Back in the forest, follow the main path slightly to the left. Finally, from the Eckwald Pavilion, you can once again enjoy a magnificent view over the idyllic Harmersbach Valley.

(Start/Finish) Follow a path back to Unterharmersbach, where you turn left into the Rebhalde and then right onto the Eckwaldweg, back to the starting point.

• None of the restaurants are open on Mondays and Tuesdays. Please remember to bring a packed lunch and drinks.

• There are no places to stop for refreshments except during the opening hours of the Oberburehof wine tavern (May to June and August to early October; closed on Mondays).

(3) At the “Sodlach” signpost, you can also choose to stop for refreshments at the mountain farm. After the mountain farm, turn left at the “Beim Bergbauernhof” signpost towards “Reutegut”. There you will rejoin the Hahn-und-Henne circular route.

(7) Shortly after the Heugrabeneck mountain hut, fit and thirsty hikers can make a short, steep detour to the Kuhhornkopfhütte; it is open on Sundays and public holidays. Turn right at the signpost “Überm Heugraben” towards Kuhhornkopf; the ascent is short and steep (approx. 600 m).

The path offers a varied route, leading sometimes through mossy, sometimes through sparse fir forests, along forest edges and across meadow paths. The view often sweeps over secluded farms and the idyllic Harmersbach and Hinterhambach valleys.

Along the Premiumweg and the Black Forest Genießerpfad, the most beautiful views are complemented by lovingly designed benches and rest areas in a rooster-and-hen theme. From these spots, you can enjoy the Black Forest cultural landscape at its finest: over the centuries, the farmers here have created a tranquil mosaic of fields, arable land, pastures and orchards. In the midst of it all lie their stately farmsteads, surrounded by the wooded hilltops of the Harmersbach and Hinterhambach valleys.

Connoisseurs will appreciate the tranquillity of nature just as much as the rustic atmosphere in the snack bars. Highlights include the views from the plateaus across the mountain ranges of the central Black Forest all the way to the Vosges in Alsace.