Schwarzwälder Wandersinfonie: The Himmelssteig in Bad Peterstal-Griesbach

Parking lot above the open air swimming pool Bad Peterstal

On the first three kilometers of the Himmelssteig we dive into the forests of the Renchtal. On warm days, many will be grateful for this, because more than 200 meters of ascent have to be mastered, from 433 to 657 meters. But the diverse nature allows us to hike uphill with pleasure: It goes through beech-chestnut forest, spruce-fir forest, sometimes light, sometimes fairytale-like dense, now and then lush ferns, forest bushes, berries line the roadside. The paths are sometimes mossy, grassy, ​​sometimes rooty, rocky. A nice start to the Himmelssteig, on the 10.6 kilometers of which we still experience a lot of variety. Those who quickly run out of breath will be happy about the first Himmelssteig after one kilometer. As we hike on, we catch glimpses of steep Black Forest mountains. Then the ascent is done: after a few meters of forest path, a path branches off to the right onto a meadow. The broadest view awaits us here: To the west of the mountains and valleys of the Renchtal. Top: The 22.5 m long sky bench. Half-time at the romantic Holchen waterfall The second stage is comfortable, the destination is the Holchen waterfall at 572 meters. We leave the Himmelsbank, briefly the Himmelssteig leads uphill along an animal enclosure. So we bypass the few houses up here on the Überskopf on the meadow path. At the edge of the forest, the next secluded spot with a heavenly lounger and seating group beckons. In front of us, gently rolling forest mountains stretch out again. It's quiet here. We continue along a root path instead of a road. Soon we read on a hiking sign: Holchen waterfall 2 km. Shortly afterwards: curtain up - view in the middle of the sky. Over meadow paths, mostly along the edge of the forest, we enjoy the idyllic Black Forest for about a kilometer, it is lonely here, only two farms operate here at the end of the valley. We reach a wider forest path, circle the valley end. Suddenly a very narrow path turns off to the right: We hike down to the valley over the springy forest floor, through a beech grove, pass the paradise rock - or climb on it for a short time. Noise heralds the Holchen waterfall. In the middle of the forest it falls about eight meters on two steps. Half the way is behind us, 5.3 kilometers are done. In the brook drinks are available for a fee. However, if you want a rest with a view, you have to add another kilometer to the sky rock. The ascent to the sky rock is tough: 1.2 kilometers and 100 meters in altitude have to be lifted. This is only cushioned by the wonderfully soft forest paths that zigzag through the light mixed mountain forest. Suddenly to the right a barren rock face: The sky rock towers over us. One last serpentine through the forest, then a rest area and heavenly lounger also invite you to take a snack. Our gaze wanders over a farm to the opposite side of the valley of the small Holchental, where we have only recently been. An adventurous path winds its way up the mountain in the midst of rocks, ending in a forest path. Shortly afterwards we feel like scouts again. Right off you go straight through the forest. Little by little we lose altitude. Finally we reach a heavenly lounger above the Palmspring, once a mountain inn, now a group house. You can rest here, protected by the forest canopy. We then leave Palmspring on the left and hike across meadows back into the forest. At the little bench, our gaze wanders again over the Black Forest mountains. Then we hike, mostly surrounded by thick fern, on a forest path downhill to a forest path. There we pay attention to the Himmelssteig sign on the right of the path. He leads us over wooden steps on a wild and romantic forest path through a secluded mountain stream valley. Here there is rustling and splashing, ferns and bushes are lush green, the rocks are mossy. We continue through sparse forest, over a mountain ridge, then criss-cross on a mossy path downhill. We pass a wood storage area on the forest path and cross a small road. There is the entrance to a rooty forest path that lets us enjoy around a kilometer uphill and downhill fir forest. Last rest with a view of the valley Well deserved is the cozy end of the Himmelssteig. We hike leisurely around 1.8 kilometers along the Freiersbachtal on forest and meadow paths. Now and then we look at the first houses in the village, every now and then we have valley views. The Black Forest slopes slide into one another in a very small space. Shortly before the last piece of meadow path, a sky bench with a resting place and a drink fountain invites us to take a last break. In the evening you can still enjoy the sun here. The houses of Bad Peterstal come into view, the outdoor pool, the parking lot. We cross a road and walk a few more meters through the forest downhill to the starting point. (Author: Heike Budig)