Traverse of the Black Forest
A Nordic Skiers Paradise!
Another cross country skiers paradise! The 'Grand Ski Traverse' of the German Black Forest is a classic 100km point-to-point journey located near the borders of France and Switzerland lies north of Freiburg and Basel. The skiing is 'classic' style or 'langlauf' cross country skiing all on prepared trails.
The Black Forest extends from 150m above sea level to the upper reaches of the Rhine River to more than 1400 m above sea level in the highest mountains of the southern Black Forest. An extensive network of long-distance cross-country skiing trails and local cross-country skiing trails makes it possible to cross the length and breadth of the Black Forest.
We traverse this diverse landscape of the Upper Black Forest staying in charming guest houses and inns enjoying German hospitality along the way. The 5-day ski journey, between the villages of Schonach and Belchen, climbs in total of 2300m and keeps to an altitude of 1,000m most of the way. Alternate skiing through deep valleys, forests and farming communities rich in tradition. Each day we aim to ski approximately 20km whilst carrying just a day pack - we arrive at our guest house to find our luggage waiting for us!
- Make a continuous 5-day ski journey
- No ski pass required
- Climb the highest peak in the Black Forest - Feldberg at 1493m
- Enjoy ideally situated and luxury 3/4* hotels & traditional guest houses
- We are one of the few operators offering this classic ski journey
- All luggage transported for you
Trip Level
This traverse is designed for those that can confidently get on their skis and go! We grade this trip as an intermediate/advanced trip. On our first day we will spend time to find our ski legs but we do expect participants to be able ski a variety of terrain and journeys of 15-25km in length. Participants should be able to ski at a good pace and have mastered a controlled snow plough for both undulating and any steeper descents. You should be at a very good fitness level and be able to ski up to 4-6 hours per day.
Download PDF version of this pageDepartures
| Trip | Departure date | End date | Price | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BF1 14 | Sun 16 February 14 | Sat 22 February 14 | £995 | Places available | Make a Booking |
View Traverse of the High Black Forest in a larger map
Bespoke Black Forest Tours
This trip can also be organised as a bespoke holiday where the itinerary can be changed to suit the quantity of days, ski locations and distances to suit the requirements of your group. Contact us for more information.
Day 1 Meet in Schonach 875m
We start this trip by meeting in the typical Schwarzwald village of Schonach, known for its competitions in ski jumping! Our hotel, like many of the others, is equipped with a sauna and swimming pool - so don't forget your swim suit! Your guide will be at your accommodation from 3pm to assist with organising any ski hire, to brief you on the days ahead and answer any questions. Our first hotel: Country Hotel Rebstock - Schonach
Day 2 Schonach to Brend - 19km
We start our journey first along flat trails where we can find our ski legs and then the trail steadily rises to 1000m onto the plateau of Wittenbach, then descends into the valley of Schwarzenbach, 940m. The trail passes through dense forests then to wide open spaces across typical Nordic rolling terrain with some fun steady and short steeper descents along the way! We pass through the village of Shonwald and onto the delightful chapel at Martinskapelle where there's a spring which one of the sources of the Danube. We can stop for refreshments at the inn here before finishing our day at Brend (1149m) where we sleep the night.
Day 3 Brend to Waldau - 20km
We begin today with an easy downhill which allows us to enjoy the scenery passing traditional farm houses with their large draping roofs. We continue on rolling terrain down to 980m at Neueck and enter the woods to rise a little to reach the Inn at 1020m at Kalte Herberge. We complete our day by skiing to the peaceful and picturesque village of Waldau where the first Black Forest clock was made in 1664.
Day 4 Waldau to Hinterzarten - 19km
Our morning ski to Thurner is 7km, after which we rise to our high point for the day at Weisstannenhöhe (1190m) where we are rewarded with superb views of the Feldberg summit (1493m). We then enjoy a fun ski down through pine forests interspersed with vast open landscapes and traditional farming communities. Today's ski ends at the charming village of Hinterzarten (880m) known as the 'Pearl of the Black Forest'.
Day 5 Hinterzarten - Feldberg - Notschrei - 26km
Today is our big day in both length and height on our traverse. We leave Hinterzarten (880m) and over 10km gradually ski up to Rinken (1195m) where we can pause for refreshments before making the final climb up onto the Feldberg summit itself at 1493m - the highest point of the Black Forest and where we are rewarded with fabulous views of the Alps. We initially have a fast descent until the Todtnauer Hütte (1321m) where we can stop for a celebratory hot chocolate! We finish our day enjoying a gentler descent through the forests to Notschrei sliding and gliding with ease down to 1120m. Relax and enjoy a well earned sauna and swim at our hotel for the night.
Day 6 Notschrei to Belchen - 14km
Our final day to complete our Grand Traverse is a much easier day. Our trail gently rolls 9km to Wiedener Eck (1034m) and then on to the small ski resort of Multen/Belchen where we finish our journey. Our hotel here also has a sauna and swimming pool to help relax ease the muscles after a busy week on skis. We end with a final celebratory meal together.
Day 7 Departure Day
Today is departure day and the trip finishes after breakfast. From Belchen we can assist in arranging your onward transfers - see Further Information for details.
Price
Included: The price includes half-board accommodation, based on two people sharing in 3 or 4 star hotels and guest houses for 6 nights and local taxes. The accommodation arrangements are dependent on our group numbers and availability at the time of booking. Single rooms can be arranged in advance which will incur an additional fee (please ask if you like this option upon booking). Luggage transfers (1 bag per person), free local public transport with the local tourist card, and the fees of a qualified BASI Nordic Ski Instructor/International Mountain Leader and their expenses are also all included.
Not included: Ski hire (this can be arranged at approximately 60 Euros for the week), insurance, flights and transfers, drinks, lunches and the evening meal on the first night.
If in the event of a poor winter season it could be that the complete traverse is not possible and that we are required to ski in different locations each day using a vehicle to transfer us along the lower sections (for more details see the bad weather options section below). Depending on the group size this may or may not incur an additional fee. However, previously when we have used a vehicle back up it has not cost our clients any more.
Minimum numbers
This trip requires a minimum of 4 clients to run. We take a maximum of 8 clients.
Insurance
Please note that you must have the appropriate insurance for your chosen activity. You must be covered for helicopter rescue, repatriation and medical costs. With regard to this please be sure you have read the insurance section in our Terms and Conditions.
Further Information
Upon booking a full list of the necessary suitable clothing will be provided along. Enjoy skiing carrying only a lightweight day pack whilst your luggage is transported for you by taxi.
The Black Forest is easily reached from other European and worldwide destinations by road, rail, coach or plane.
The closest airports to this area are Stuttgart (Germany), Strasbourg (France) or Basel/Bale (Switzerland). Both Stuttgart and Basel airports are serviced by low cost airlines from the UK and Basel by Swiss Air and British Airways.
Trains to the start and finish from both Basel and Stuttgart Airports takes approximately 2.5/3.5 hours and cost from 21 Euros one way.
Connections can be sourced using these rail websites for Switzerland use www.sbb.ch and Deutsche Bahn for Germany, searches should be made using: Basel or Stuttgart Flughaven to: 'Schonachbach, Schonach im Schwarzwald' and from: 'Multen Belchenbahn Talstation, Aitern'. Please note that timetables are only available 3 months in advance. Departing trains are also possible from Munstertal - to reach this station taxis cost approximately 50 Euros.
Alternatively you may wish to travel entirely by rail or coach in which case many high speed trains link into these cities from other European cities. For more suggested travel links please refer to our Booking & Information pages for further details.
It is possible to arrange a taxi back to the start of the traverse from Belchen to Schonach for about 175 Euros taking 1-4 people.
Accommodation Arrangements & Bad Weather Options
The complete Black Forest traverse is approximately 100km which means we will ski anything from between 15-25km per day. The accommodation available is varied in its facilities and due to availability we do not always use exactly the same places so it could mean the daily distances on the day to day itinerary vary by a few km. Please note that your guide will try to fulfill the stated itinerary, but this is dependent on weather/snow and track conditions at the time.
Lunches will normally be picnics bought from either our accommodation, bakeries or in cafes when we pass them - please feel free to bring additional hill snacks from home.
We run our Black Forest traverse at a time of year when the snow is most reliable and the tracks are well maintained. However, in the event of poor snow conditions, we will offer an alternative ski itinerary visiting the highest Nordic ski areas both regionally and on the traverse with the aim to offer the same distance skied per day.
