The Black Forest (Schwarzwald) in the southwest of Germany is known for its mountainous landscape and vast forests. Nature lovers and adventure seekers are well-acquainted with this region. You can enjoy endless hiking, mountain biking, visiting castles, exploring beautiful villages and engaging in fun activities throughout the Black Forest. One place in this stunning German region that you should definitely visit is Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald (Treetop Walk Black Forest), beautifully located in Bad Wildbad. I visit this treetop trail in the Black Forest after a road trip through the Vosges Mountains, as we drive back to the Netherlands via Germany.
Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald in Bad Wildbad
In 2014, the 1.2 kilometer long treetop trail on the Sommerberg in Bad Wildbad was opened to the public. For nearly 650 meters, you walk high among the treetops on a beautifully designed path, with educational stations placed at various points. Here, you learn everything about the Black Forest; its ecology, nature and the animals that inhabit it. There are also several stations where visitors can climb and balance on beams, jump from log to log and walk on nets. It’s super fun, especially for kids (and their parents)!
Lookout tower at the treetop trail in Bad Wildbad
After walking about half the total length of the trail, the lookout tower of Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald comes into view. Standing 40 meters high, it offers a 360-degree view of the dense Black Forest. It immediately becomes clear why this area got its name; back in Roman times, it was already known as a dark and impenetrable forest.
The entire trail is wide and barrier-free, with a maximum incline of 6%, making it accessible for both strollers and wheelchairs. The views are absolutely stunning! The forest colors are particularly breathtaking in spring and autumn. At the top of the lookout tower, signs indicate the names of places visible in the distance.
WildLine Suspension Bridge in Bad Wildbad
From the top of the Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald lookout tower, the WildLine Hängebrücke immediately catches the eye. This 380-meter-long and 60-meter-high suspension bridge provides a thrilling experience and offers a spectacular view of Bad Wildbad, nestled in the valley below. It takes just 15 minutes to walk from the treetop trail to this impressive bridge and tickets for access can be purchased on-site.
Walk up, slide down
At 25 meters high, halfway up the observation tower, is the start of a slide that lets you spiral down after reaching the top. For just 2 euros (cash only), you get a mat and shoot down 55 meters in seconds. And trust me, it’s fast!
Tips for after your visit to Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald
Once you’re back down, you’ve reached the end of the treetop trail. At the exit, there’s a souvenir shop and a small barwhere you can grab drinks and snacks. If you’re visiting with kids, they can have fun at Abenteuerwald Sommerberg. Unfortunately, during our visit, Abenteuerwald was closed. So instead, we enjoyed the sunshine on the terrace of the nearby Skihütte Skizunft Wildbad; a perfect way to end the day.
Treetop trails in Germany
There are several Baumwipfelpfade (treetop trails) across Germany. One I highly recommend is Baumwipfelpfad Saarschleife in Saarland, which I visited years ago when it had just opened. The view there is phenomenal, overlooking a famous curve in the Saar River. Here’s a list of some other great treetop trails in Germany:
- Baumwipfelpfad Bad Iburg in Bad Iburg
- Baumwipfelpfad Harz in Bad Harzburg
- Baumwipfelpfad Bavarian Forest in Neuschönau
- Baumwipfelpfad Panarbora in Waldbröl
- Baumwipfelpfad Steigerwald Tower in Ebracher Forst
- Baumwipfelpfad Pfälzerwald in Fischbach bei Dahn
- Baumkronenpfad im Nationalpark Hainich in Schönstedt
- Skywalk Allgäu Wald Abenteuerwelt in Scheidegg
- Waldwipfelweg in Sankt Englmar
- TreeTopWalk Baumkronenweg am Edersee in Edertal
- Baumkronenpfad Beelitz Tree & Time in Beelitz
- Baumwipfelpfad im Naturerbe Zentrum Rügen in Binz (Rügen)
Best time to visit Baumwipfelpfad Schwarzwald
Before our visit in May, several people warned us about how busy Sommerberg can get, so busy that parking in the designated lot might not be possible. Visitors often have to park at the base of the mountain and walk up. To avoid the crowds, we decided to visit the treetop trail late in the afternoon (around 4:00 PM). When we arrived, the parking lot was nearly empty and we had the whole treetop trail almost to ourselves. It was fantastic!
During the summer months, Baumwipfelpfad Bad Wildbad is open until 7:00 PM, so if you arrive around 4:00 or 5:00 PM, you’ll have plenty of time to enjoy the walk and the observation tower at your own pace. Plus, you don’t need to rush back before closing; you can return to your car even after the official closing time.
If you’re visiting with children and also want to explore Abenteuerwald Sommerberg, consider visiting that first and walking the treetop trail afterward. The choice is yours!
