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.

Stay overnight on or near the lake
Berghotel Mummelsee located directly on the lake
The Berghotel Mummelsee is picturesquely situated directly on the lake and offers guests a unique nature experience. The charming hotel combines traditional Black Forest style with modern comfort and is a perfect starting point for hikes, excursions, or simply to relax. Enjoy regional specialties in the panoramic restaurant overlooking the lake and let yourself be pampered in Spa Area pamper yourself with a sauna and steam bath.
Special features at a glance:
- Fantastic location directly on Lake Mummelsee
- Cozy rooms in Black Forest style
- Panoramic restaurant with regional cuisine
- Small but nice wellness area
- Ideal starting point for hikes and excursions
- Numerous Black Forest specialties in the in-house shop
A place full of peace, nature and enjoyment!
Schnurrenhof holiday farm
The Schnurrenhof is an idyllic holiday farm in the heart of the Swabian Alb, perfect for families, nature lovers and those seeking peace and quiet. Surrounded by meadows, forests and rolling hills, the farm offers a authentic break in the countrysideChildren especially love the proximity to the animals and the large grounds to romp around in. Guests stay in lovingly furnished holiday apartments with modern comfort and rural charmThe farm places great value on sustainability and regionality, which is also reflected in the breakfast basket with home-made products.
Special features at a glance:
- Quiet location surrounded by greenery
- Petting animals and play areas for children
- Breakfast service with regional products
- Ideal for hikes, bike rides and excursions
- Sustainably managed family business
A place to Breathe deeply, experience and relax.
Accommodation around the famous lake in the Northern Black Forest
In the region around the lake, there are numerous accommodations such as hotels, guesthouses, and holiday apartments. You can find a wide selection on the Booking.com pages!
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.
You are currently viewing placeholder content from YouTube. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third parties.
More informationThen 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 weather at Mummelsee
Before you head to Mummelsee, take a look at the current webcam and the weather forecast. Whether bright sunshine, mystical fog, or a glittering snowscape – up here, the Black Forest reveals its most fascinating facets. It's especially worth checking the webcam early in the morning or evening, when the surrounding mountains and forests are reflected in the crystal-clear waters of the lake.
The weather forecast always tells you whether you should expect sunshine or perhaps one of the famous Black Forest fogs that gives the legendary lake its very special, mystical atmosphere.
You are currently viewing placeholder content from Standard. To access the actual content, click the button below. Please note that data will be passed on to third parties.
Further informationThe way to the lake

Arrive with your own car
Located directly on the Black Forest High Road, is the How to reach it 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.
FAQs
It lies below the Hornisgrind between Ruhestein and Unterstatt on the Black Forest High Road.
The 1036m deep lake lies at 17m.
On a small circular path you can completely walk around the lake in about 10 minutes.
The hotel of the same name is located directly on the lake, with a Black Forest shop and a small circular route that takes you around the lake in 10 minutes.
Der Mummelsee hat eine maximale Tiefe von 17 Metern und liegt auf einer Höhe von 1036 Metern über dem Meeresspiegel.
The maximum length is 270m, it is 170m wide and measures 17m at its deepest point.
The B500 runs right by Mummelsee, and there are also plenty of public parking spaces there.
Welche Aktivitäten kann man am Mummelsee unternehmen?
Am Mummelsee können Sie Boot fahren, wandern (besonders beliebt sind Touren zur Hornisgrinde), die lokale Gastronomie genießen und im Winter Schneeschuhwandern oder Langlaufen. Das ganze Jahr über bietet der See ein malerisches Fotomotiv.
Welche Übernachtungsmöglichkeiten gibt es am Mummelsee?
Direkt am Mummelsee liegt das historische Berghotel Mummelsee. In der näheren Umgebung finden Sie weitere Unterkünfte in Seebach und entlang der Schwarzwaldhochstraße.
Was ist die Legende des Mummelseekönigs?
Der Sage nach lebt im Mummelsee der Mummelseekönig mit seinen Wassernymphen. Wer Gegenstände in den See wirft, soll seinen Zorn erregen und einen Sturm heraufbeschwören. Diese Legende hat den See zu einem mystischen Ort gemacht und wurde bereits von Johann Wolfgang von Goethe erwähnt.