Ringelbacherkreuz – Schauenburg

Black Forest - Ortenaukreis
Two ways to get there:
- either via the B28 (Strasbourg/Kehl – Freudenstadt); take the L89 towards Renchen at the entrance to Oberkirch (on the left) then follow the L86a towards Ringelbach/Waldulm. Drive through Ringelbach and up to the Ringelbacherkreuz.
- or via the L87 (Gambsheim/Rheinau Freistett – Ottenhöfen). Before Kappelrodeck, take the K5310 towards Waldulm, where you join the L86a. Drive through Waldulm, then head up to the right towards Ringelbach until you reach the Ringelbacherkreuz.

At the Ringelbacherkreuz, there are a few parking spaces along the road and, if these are full, a few spaces on the descent towards Ringelbach.

Yellow Diamond markings

(S/E) The route starts on the path that enters the vineyards just before the footbridge crossing the road and leading into the forest: follow the signs for Schauenburg.
At the first crossroads, head up to the left until you reach a small vineyard offering a lovely view. The path continues to the left, running alongside the vineyards for 150 m before returning to the forest.

(1) A little further on, on the right, you’ll find a large wooden hut used as a hunters’ lodge (Jaegerhaus), then you’ll come to a three-way junction. Take the path on the right that leads downhill to a large cherry orchard and an isolated house with views over the hillsides of Ringelbach and Strasbourg Cathedral. Follow this tarmac path down through the cherry trees to the next crossroads, where you’ll find the vineyard at a place called Schelzberg. At the corner, there’s a bench and a crucifix.

(2) Turn left towards Schauenburg. After about 150 m, you re-enter the forest, passing a farm shed. The path winds through woodland and over a few rocks. Beneath other large boulders flows a stream, the Boschgraben. Shortly afterwards, you reach a fork with a steep climb on the left, which you follow until you reach a junction of several paths. A wooden shelter is on the left: this is the Fellhauerhütte, a rest area with a shelter and a picnic area.

(3) Turn right for about ten metres, then immediately take the path leading down to the left. Continue straight on until you reach the Kapuzinerbrunnen fork, approximately 500m past the Fellhauerhütte.

(4) Kapuzinerbrunnen (Capuchin Fountain): you pass a fountain which is unfortunately dry. Continue straight ahead through the forest, cross the Gaisbach stream and pass a small clearing where logs are often left. After a final gentle climb, you arrive at Schauenburg Castle, a majestic ruined fortress overlooking the town of Oberkirch.

(5) Go round the castle on the right. You arrive at a terrace with a magnificent view of Oberkirch, the vineyards, the Rhine plain and Strasbourg with its cathedral. During the Second World War, the Germans had positioned their artillery here to fire on Strasbourg.

(6) You can visit the castle ruins (free entry) by heading left (not shown on the map) and also enjoy a bite to eat. Below the castle is the Burgwirtschaft, which serves light meals and drinks on a magnificent terrace.
Once you have finished walking around the castle, you rejoin the path you arrived on.

(5) The return journey follows the same route as the outward journey (still marked with yellow markers) towards Ringelbacherkreuz (S/E).

A hike that looks easy but isn’t quite as straightforward as it seems; there is still a fair bit of elevation gain. Paths are in good condition with no particular difficulties.

Shelters at (1) (Jaegerhaus), after (2) (Schelzberg – open agricultural shed), at (3) (Fellhauerhütte – large-capacity shelter).

Food and drink available near the castle after (6) (Burgwirtschaft) and near (S/E) (Ringelbacherkreuz) at the restaurant "Zur Einkehr".

Return: please note! About 1 km after the castle, at a three-way junction, the signposting is difficult to see. Take the path on the left.

Ruins of Schauenburg Castle.
Beautiful views over Oberkirch, the Ringelbach vineyards, the Rhine plain and Strasbourg.