Deceleration in the Black Forest
The city at the German watch route is intended to give locals and tourists a feeling of calm, deceleration and a measured use of time. She is also a member of Cittáslow, a movement founded in Italy in 1999 with the aim of improving the quality of life. Cultural diversity and reflection on one's own values are further cornerstones of this work.
District town of Waldkirch
The large district town of Waldkirch, consisting of Buchholz, Kollnau and Waldkirch, is located not far from the cities of Emmendingen and Freiburg im Breisgau. On the Elz in the southwest of the Black Forest, near the Simonswälder Valley, the town stretches at the foot of the 1241 meter high Kandel, the highest point in the central Black Forest. There is a height difference of almost 1.000 meters within the district.
The Kandel - local mountain of Waldkirch
The city's local mountain Kandel, offers wide views of the Black Forest and the Vosges as well as the Alps. Day trippers can enjoy a variety of outdoor sports and traditional gastronomy.
The upper part of the mountain, the so-called Teufelskanzel, broke off on Walpurgis Night in 1981 and is now below the Kandelfelsen. There are many launch sites for hang-gliders and paragliders who want to land in the Waldkirch district of Heimeck on the mountain. There is also a cross-country ski run and ski lifts. The Kandel-Berg-Lauf is a popular annual event in the city. And if you want to experience the view particularly well, visit the Thomashütte, which stands on a rock that overhangs more than 50 meters.
Treetop path with giant tube slide
The Baumkronenweg is a nature adventure park with a 190 meter long giant tube slide, which offers a lot of fun for young and old. The 1.200 meter long path of the senses offers wonderful views of the Black Forest. There is an extraordinary mini golf course nearby. And the hands-on garden is a special kind of nature experience, which is offered in Waldkirch on the sensory path.
You can do a lot as a local as well as a tourist in Waldkirch. One such example is the pedal boat rental, which invites you to the Stadtrainsee lake and also offers kayaks. The lake terrace offers space to linger.
Waldkirch – for organ builders and music lovers
Waldkirch is known as the “center of organ building.” For 200 years, church and carousel organs, orchestrions, barrel organs and hurdy-gurdies have been shipped worldwide, bringing music from Waldkirch to dance halls and fairs.
Barrel organ building and church organ building are still a living craft here. Five organ builders have workshops in Waldkirch or live there. The church organs are also worth seeing and hearing.
Every three years an international organ festival is celebrated in Waldkirch, where music lovers come from all over the world. Barrel organs, church and carousel organs, barrel organs, barrel organs and orchestras play music and enchant visitors. Further information is available on the Organ Festival website.
This is possible after prior registration an exhibition in the organ hall can be visited with a guided tour.
Stroll and shop
The market square in Waldkirch invites you... to marvel and experience. Many beautifully restored houses are always worth a look and can be admired in a particularly relaxed manner over a coffee or an ice cream. The gemstone cutting shop Wintermantel and the glass art BonVitro also invite you.
The landmark of the city
... is the Kastelburg. To get to the ruins, you have to walk along the Knights' Path, which is a special feature in itself with man-high knight statutes along the way. The castle was already destroyed in the 17th century, but the view from here is fantastic. The initiative "Kastelburg in Not", which was founded by the citizens of the city, should continue to ensure the preservation of the landmark.