The Mummelsee in the Black Forest – on the popular Black Forest High Road!

The Mummelsee is one of the most popular excursion destinations in the Black Forest. It is picturesquely located at an altitude of over 1.000 meters near the community of Seebach in the northern Black Forest. The well-known Black Forest High Road, one of the most popular holiday routes in Germany leads right past him.

The geography of the lake

It is a so-called karst lake. Such lakes are created by the collapse of underground caves, occur primarily in particularly water-soluble rocks such as dolomite, lime and gypsum and there are several of them in the Black Forest. The lake is the largest of them. It is 3,7 hectares in size and around 18 meters deep and was created during the Ice Age. There are steep, wooded mountain slopes all around, the 1123 meter high Katzenkopf rises to the west of the lake and the slightly higher one to the north Hornisgrind,  highest mountain in the northern Black Forest.

Stories about the karst lake

The quiet lake, in which the dark forests are reflected on its banks, is often referred to as the eye of the Black Forest. There are various legends and myths surrounding him. A mermaid or ghosts are said to live in the lake, and there is also talk of the Mummelsee King. According to an old story, it is even said to be the entrance to the center of the earth. The name most likely comes from the water lilies that used to exist here and were popularly known as mummies.

Tourist experiences in the region

The lake offers a lot for vacationers and day visitors. You can, for example, go on wonderful hikes along its banks or climb the two nearby peaks. An art path and a barrier-free circular route invite you to take a walk, and when the weather is nice, you can take a pedal boat on the lake.

Directly on the bank there is a mountain hotel with a restaurant and options typical Black Forest Products like the famous ones Cuckoo, Black Forest ham or wood-fired bread. There are forest playgrounds and a small petting zoo for the kids and a cozy sun terrace for the grown-ups.

The Mummelsee in winter

The picturesque lake has its charm in all seasons. That's why it's incredibly beautiful here even in winter. If still in the valley Dirty weather You can experience deep winter at over 1000 meters, do cross-country skiing, go snowshoeing or take a leisurely stroll through the wonderful winter landscape.

Hiking on the Mummelsee

Many hiking trails lead around the water and into the surrounding area. However, in the west, east and north it is lined with steep, forested mountain slopes and is not easily accessible here. And to the west the lake shore rises to the 1123 m high Katzenkopf, while to the north the shore rises to the Hornisgrinde. Only to the south is the bank almost flat. The federal highway 500, the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse, runs there. There is also a parking lot, a viewing point and the “Berghotel Mummelsee” here, as well as St. Michael's Chapel a little further east.

A hiking trail runs all around from the southern area and leads completely around the body of water. This hiking trail splits at the height of the northwest bank. In the north, its inner circle also leads over the tributary of the Hirtensteinquelle, which is also located near the north bank.

Hiking trail from Berghotel Mummelsee to Schönmünzach

One of the longest stages that leads around the lake is from the Berghotel to Schönmünzach. This hike is combined with a climb up to the Hornisgrinde. That's where it is located Hornisgrinde Tower, which is open daily from 11 a.m. to 17 p.m. when the weather is nice. From here there is a wonderful all-round view.

Then it goes Hike continue past the Dreifürstenstein and through the Biberkessel into the Philippenkopf area. A natural path is followed here, which leads the hiker over the Diebaukopf past the Blindsee to the unique view of the Schurmsee. The hiking trail continues along the Schurmweg. Then you descend to Schönmünzach.

Short hike to Hornisgrinde

If you don't dare to do so much, you can also choose the hiking trail that leads past Mummelsee and Katzenkopf up to the Hornisgrinde tower. From here you go over the Bismarkturm and the Bohlenweg to Dreifürstenstein. Then it goes back on a path that follows the road that runs here.

round trip (6,9km)

The hike starts at one of the hiking car parks. From here you go directly past the lake and then onto the long-distance hiking trail from Pforzheim Basel, the Westweg. The way to the summit of the Hornisgrinde leads over stony and steep paths. Every now and then a further view of the Rhine Valley is possible, as a hurricane storm a few years ago partially cleared the mountainside from the trees. The last few meters to the summit are conquered via steep stairs. These lead up to the Hornisgrinde observation tower.

The path then continues to the left on the ridge to the next viewing platform. From here you have a good view of the Rhine Valley along the direction Karlsruhe and Mannheim. The route then goes downhill over stony paths to the SWR broadcasting tower. Two kilometers further is the oxen stable, a place to stop for a break with simple home cooking.

The way back is the same way you came. However, this time it goes along on the right side, from which a view of the Murgtal and towards the Heckengäus is offered.

This circular hike is a 6,9 kilometer route that has to be mastered.

Hike on the Hochmoorweg
The Hochmoorweg is a special hiking trail that starts and ends at Mummelsee.

Here it is first of all to come to the Hornisgrinde. The Hornisgrinde Hochmoors arose partly from clearing and grazing from the 15th century. It is a wet heather on the plateau of the mountain. The raised bog can sometimes be up to 5 meters thick.

Here, hikers walk along boardwalk paths through the approximately 95 hectare Hornisgrinde-Biberkessel nature reserve. The source of the Biberach and the Harzbrunnen spring are also located here. In addition to these hiking trails, there are many other paths around the Mummelsee. These trails are also connected to other hiking trails in the area.

The way to the lake

Arrive with your own car

Located directly on the Black Forest High Road, is the How to reach us The best way to get to the lake is by car. It is only a few kilometers from the A5 motorway. Use exit 53 to Achern and from there direction Seebach, then you will reach the lake after about 15 kilometers.
There are parking spaces for your car on the south bank of the lake.

Arrival by public transport

The closest train station is Seebach train station. From there you can take one of the six bus connections that go from Seebach to Honigsrinde via Mummelsee.
Hiking buses leave from there every day Baden-Baden and Achern, which will take you comfortably to your destination.
At the weekend, hiking buses run from and to Oppenau and once on Saturdays and Sundays from and to Offenburg.
Both the Baden-Württemberg Ticket and the KONUS guest card applies to these bus connections.

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