Are you planning a tour on the Way of St. James and are not yet fully prepared for this challenge? The Black Forest offers you several paths and climbs on which you can put your fitness to the test. Grab your gear and get going. In order to complete the Camino de Santiago it is important that you are physically and mentally fit. We present you the best ideas for where you can prepare in the Black Forest.
The Westweg long-distance hiking trail in the Black Forest
You have chosen the Portuguese Way of St. James decided and would like to take on the challenge? Along the coast, this path leads over rocky terrain and presents some difficult terrain. It is all the more important that you prepare optimally - you will succeed in this west way. This path is the oldest and best-known long-distance hiking trail in the Black Forest. It stretches over 285 kilometers from Pforzheim in the north to Basel in the south. The path leads through deep forests, over airy mountain ranges and past picturesque lakes. Thanks to the steep climbs, you have the best chance of adapting your endurance and fitness to the planned pilgrimage.
The Schluchtensteig prepares you for your trip to France
The Way of St. James Camino Frances is not only beginner-friendly, but also very popular with experienced pilgrims. Although the route is smooth and often over asphalt, you should be as prepared as possible. The Canyon Trail in the Black Forest is perfect as preparation for the Way of St. James, as it runs through natural and wild landscapes. In total, the route is around 119 kilometers and leads through dramatic gorges in the southern part of the Black Forest. The path is very suitable for preparation as it can be divided into several stages. If you want to walk the entire route, you can plan up to six days. After this hike, the Way of St. James becomes child's play. In the classic division, the gorge paths are divided into stages of 15 to 20 kilometers. If you like it less strenuous, you should choose shorter stages and just before the actual pilgrimage it can be a little more strenuous.
Hikers who do not decide to do the entire trail have the option of planning day tours. Some sections are particularly suitable for this.
- The Wutach Gorge: It is the heart of the Schluchtensteig and one of the longest and deepest gorges in Germany. It offers impressive paths along the Wutach and is known for its untouched nature. There are several access points for day-trippers who want to experience just part of the gorge.
- The Gauchach Gorge: It is also impressive and impresses with its wildly romantic landscape and steep walls. This gorge is less known and also attracts tourists who want to rest and rejuvenate. Here you can prepare perfectly for the solitude that awaits you on some stages of the Way of St. James.
- The Lotenbachklamm: This smaller but picturesque section of the trail is well suited for a first tour. The gorge is very popular after the rains, because then the water flows powerfully through the gorge. A three-hour hike is possible here, which, thanks to the inclines, provides a bit of preparation for the Way of St. James.
The middle path leads through the wonderful Black Forest
Experienced tour operators are worth their weight in gold on tours along the Way of St. James because they offer the infrastructure of accommodation and huts. However, physical preparation remains the task of the pilgrims themselves Mittelweg is one of the three major long-distance hiking trails in the Black Forest and offers the perfect opportunity to explore the diverse landscape. Some sections are very demanding, so the course for the Way of St. James is set here. The entire length is 230 kilometers and begins in Pforzheim. The destination is Waldshut on the High Rhine. During the route you primarily go along high elevations, with challenging climbs waiting for you in between.
To hike the entire middle route, plan on between nine and eleven days. However, you also have the option of choosing only individual days to prepare for the pilgrimage.
One of the biggest highlights of the path is the northern Black Forest, which leads through the dense forests. Here you can admire the famous cuckoo clocks. The Kaltenbronn raised moor area is also worth seeing. The landscape is special and rare plant species grow everywhere along the paths. Some of the moor is still uncut and it is considered the largest moor landscape in all of Central Europe.
Via the <strong>integrated datalog</strong> the measuring values can be stored on the humimeter RH5 paper moisture meter and additional data can be added. You also have the possibility to use the Autolog function. This function automatically saves measuring values in adjustable time intervals. Grinding head and the refuge offers great views over the entire northern Black Forest. If the weather is clear you can see as far as the Vosges. If you would like to enhance your preparation with bathing elements, treat yourself to hikes along Lake Titisee and Lake Schluchsee. The two well-visited lakes offer you natural riverside paths and the opportunity to simply relax.
The ZweiTälerSteig offers variety and challenge in one
The ZweiTälerSteig is another challenging hiking trail in the Black Forest that is perfect for preparing for the Way of St. James. Here you can test your mental strength and physical challenge, covering a total distance of around 106 kilometers. The paths go through the Elz and Simonswäldertals. The circular hike starts and ends in Waldkirch, a small town that is easy to reach from Freiburg im Breisgau. The trail is known for its challenge and the deep forests it passes through.
The hike can be practically divided into five stages, with individual sections being between 15 and 25 kilometers long. How long the tour lasts depends on your personal fitness and need for breaks. It is possible to carry out a preparation within five days to ensure optimal performance on the Camino de Santiago.
The Kandel, the highest peak in the central Black Forest, is definitely worth seeing. The climb is challenging, but the panoramic views from the top are worth it. The Zweribach waterfalls also have photography potential and are a top-class visual natural spectacle, especially in summer. During the entire hike you will pass historic mills and craft workshops, which offer an insight into the life of the Black Forest in the past.
Tip: If you don't want to hike for several days, there are also many shorter sections for day trips. They are well suited to exploring cultural sights and still optimizing fitness for the Way of St. James. The Black Forest is a great cultural asset for pilgrims and hikers.
