The best traffic-free bike rides around Bad Wildbad

The Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald is a 1250 m long treetop path on the Sommerberg west of Bad Wildbad in the district of Calw, Baden-Württemberg, at an altitude of approximately 750 m above sea level (NHN), and was built according to plans by the Schönberg architect Josef Stöger. The facility, opened in 2014, offers knowledge about the forest and its wildlife at various information stations, as well as an observation tower. It is operated by the company Erlebnis Akademie AG. The entrance to the path can be reached from the mountain station of the Sommerbergbahn via the Emmaweg or from the public car park via a zigzag path. The treetop path extends over a length of approximately 636 m and a height above the ground between about 4 and 20 m. It follows the terrain with a constant gentle incline and offers various didactic and experience stations such as balance beams or wobbly elements. In addition, there are 15 comic panels along the path, which are intended to provide excitement and convey knowledge, especially to children, as part of a treetop path comic rally. The entire path, including the ramp access in the observation tower, is barrier-free and reaches a maximum gradient of 6%. At the end of the path, you reach a 38.5 m high observation tower, which is mainly made of wood and, due to the arrangement of the twelve doubly inclined, glued laminated main supports, looks like a large twisted cup. The supports are arranged rotationally symmetrically at the same distance from each other and are inclined both outwards and clockwise laterally. They are connected by steel tubes, multiple cross-braced, and partially protected from the weather by sheet metal cladding. The access from the path into the tower takes place at a height of about five meters at the second winding of the 614 m long access ramp, which runs within the support columns, and which, after a total of nine windings, reaches the twelve-sided, approximately ring-shaped observation platform. This is attached to the outside of the supports with steel cantilevers and offers a view far into the Black Forest, the Rhine Valley, and the Swabian Jura. Orientation arrows to visible destinations and to the other treetop paths of the operating company are attached to the parapet. At a height of 25 m, between the access ramp and a central steel tube support in the middle of the tower, there is a triangular platform, from which a 55 m .....

A larger meadow below the Finsterklinge in the quiet valley of the Brotenaubach.

Large free parking lot with information boards directly at the entrance to the village. Good starting point for many hikes.

On the Sommerberg, the northern Black Forest is revealed from a reverse perspective along a 1.2 km stretch. The tour culminates at the observation tower, 40 meters high, offering a spectacular 360-degree view over the endless forests and impressive valleys of the Black Forest. Those who wish can slide down the tower for €2.

It's right in the city center

"Bike path" is a bit of a euphemism. Wide tires and suspension are definitely an advantage here. The path is really rough in places. Downhill, towards Calmbach, it's smooth, but you get quite jolted in places. Uphill, towards Aichhalden, on the other hand, it's strenuous due to the surface. I ride here often, but I find the gravel quite annoying. Only the section between Agenbacher Sägemühle and the campsite (Hofstett intersection) has nice, fine gravel and is accordingly enjoyable.

The four of us had an absolutely fantastic meal there. Both the fish and meat dishes were cooked to perfection. The starters and desserts were also very tasty. All Demeter-certified. It's not exactly cheap, but it was incredibly good.

Beautiful building