The Black Forest has always been a popular holiday destination. Whether you spend a week or just a weekend there - there are many ways to discover the Black Forest. The Merkur, which is also known as the Great Staufenberg, is particularly outstanding. This article shows what makes Mercury so special.
The local mountain Mercury - that makes it special
Even its name lends the Mercury a special air. It is named after a god from ancient Rome, to whom a Roman votive stone , found on the summit, is dedicated. This so-called Mercury Stone has been publicly known since the 16th century. Today, a cast of the stone can be admired on the summit, as the original is housed in the city's historical collections.
Climbing Mercury: on foot or by train?
You can easily and comfortably take the Merkur mountain railway to Baden-Baden's local mountain. This has been used extensively since it opened in 1913: hikers, day trippers and nature lovers who do not want to take on the exertion of hiking can comfortably drive to the summit.
An elevator located in the Merkur Tower leads to an observation platform at a height of 23 meters, offering an exquisite view of Baden-Baden , the Murg Valley, the Black Forest, the Rhine Plain, and the Vosges Mountains. It's definitely worth making it to the top of the Merkur.
For hiking enthusiasts there is of course the option of climbing the summit of Baden-Baden's local mountain on foot. The slopes are long but moderate. Every now and then it even goes downhill. Nonetheless, the tour on Mercury is classified as difficult and is only suitable for those who already have experience in hiking.
After about one and a half hours of hiking, you will have reached your destination and will be rewarded with the wonderful view.
Mercury: Is the experience worth it?
Anyone who has ever hiked Merkur in Baden-Baden raves about one thing above all: the beautiful landscape and nature. Indeed, the Black Forest and the area around the Black Forest have a lot to offer. If you want to leave the stressful everyday life of city life behind, a tour on the Merkur is the best choice.
Incidentally, the aforementioned Mercury Tower is also one of the notable features on the local mountain. It is the highest point of the mountain and was built there in 1837. Since the 1950s, it has also served as a radio transmitter, but its primary function is and remains providing a panoramic view.
Those who have made it to the top can also relax in a restaurant to regain their strength. There is also a lawn for relaxing, a barbecue area and a playground, which even has a giant slide.
Anyone who likes flying with paragliders can hardly pass Baden-Baden's local mountain, as there are two launch sites for paragliders on the summit. One is located in a westerly direction directly at the mountain station of the railway, the other in a north-easterly direction. A meadow under the valley station of the mountain railway is planned as a landing area. You can also land on a meadow above the Gernsbach-Staufenberg.
Geology on Mercury
Mercury is the northern neighbor of the small Staufenberg, which both consist of several layers of sedimentary rocks. You can find a lot of deposits from the Rotliegend - conspicuously red rocks - as well as volcanic rocks. Various types of red sandstone are also found in Mercury. So there is a lot to discover.
That is why a geological nature trail opened in 2012. It is called "Mercury's Cube" and presents those interested in geology with the various types of rock that Baden-Baden's local mountain has to offer.
Other leisure activities in Baden-Baden
Anyone who spends a long time in Baden-Baden and would like to do something other than discovering nature has a wide range of options. In Baden-Baden, for example, there is a casino where the popular casino classics such as roulette, blackjack and poker can be played. But slot machine games are also numerous, so everyone gets their money's worth.
In addition, there is a wide range of culinary offers in Baden-Baden, so that after a long hike you can indulge in a restaurant in the evening. Top kitchens, excellent wines and great hotels await tourists planning their vacation in Baden-Baden.
