Feldberg
Baden-Württemberg
Feldberg, rising to 1,494 meters, is the highest peak in the Black Forest and Baden-Württemberg, as well as the tallest mountain in Germany outside the Alps and Bavaria. Located southeast of Freiburg im Breisgau, it is surrounded by several municipalities including Hinterzarten, Titisee, and Todtnau. Feldberg features a main peak and a subpeak, the Seebuck, separated by the Grüble saddle. The area is renowned for its glacial Feldsee lake and deeply incised valleys. The summit area is accessible only by foot or bicycle, with a chairlift reaching the Seebuck from Feldberg-Ort, where a ham radio museum is housed in the old transmission tower. The region is a popular destination for winter sports, with over 28 ski lifts and slopes, as well as extensive cross-country skiing trails. Feldberg is also a protected nature reserve, home to subalpine vegetation and managed by the Southern Black Forest Nature Conservation Centre. Visitors can enjoy one of the most extensive panoramic views in Germany, spanning from the Vosges and Palatinate Forest to the Alps and Swiss Jura. The mountain is marked by historical monuments such as the Bismarck monument and features old and new television towers. The surrounding municipality of Feldberg includes several villages with historical roots in glassmaking and forestry.
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Tip: The best time to visit Feldberg is during winter for skiing and winter sports or in clear weather for panoramic views. Visitors should consider purchasing tickets for the chairlift in advance during peak seasons. The nature reserve offers guided tours and educational programs at the Haus der Natur. Discounts may be available for families, groups, and seniors. Parking is available near the Seebuck, and public transport connections include the Three Lakes Railway and bus services to Feldberg-Bärental station.
Interesting facts
- •Feldberg is the highest mountain in Germany outside of the Alps and Bavaria.
- •The Feldberg Nature Reserve is the oldest and largest in Baden-Württemberg.
- •The Feldberg Tower on the Seebuck houses a ham radio museum since 2013.
- •The mountain offers panoramic views stretching from the Vosges in France to the Alps and Mont Blanc.
- •Feldberg-Ort is the highest village in Germany at 1,277 meters elevation.
History
The Feldberg area was first mentioned in documents dating back to 983, although the authenticity of this record is debated.
A confirmed mention appears in 1065, making Feldberg one of the oldest recorded locations in the High Black Forest.
The settlement and economic development around the mountain began in the 17th century with the establishment of glassworks such as the Rotwasserglashütte in 1634, which led to the growth of villages like Altglashütten and Neuglashütten.
Over the centuries, the region evolved from sparse settlement to a hub for glass production and forestry, while the mountain itself became a protected nature reserve and popular recreational area.
Place Guide
Summit and Seebuck
The Feldberg summit at 1,494 meters and its subpeak, the Seebuck (1,448 meters), are key landmarks. The Seebuck hosts the Feldberg Tower, an old transmission tower now serving as a ham radio museum. The summit offers extensive panoramic views across Germany, France, Switzerland, and the Alps.
Feldsee Lake
A glacial lake situated northeast of the Seebuck at about 1,000 meters elevation. It is a scenic natural feature formed during the last ice age and surrounded by subalpine vegetation within the nature reserve.
Haus der Natur (Nature House)2001
The Southern Black Forest Nature Conservation Centre operates from the Haus der Natur, offering a permanent interactive exhibition and organizing events within the Feldberg Nature Reserve. It serves as an educational hub promoting conservation and awareness of the subalpine ecosystem.
Ski Area and Trails
Feldberg features more than 28 ski lifts and slopes suitable for alpine skiing and ski touring. Cross-country skiing trails around the peak and neighboring Herzogenhorn are popular among winter sports enthusiasts.
