Scenic landscape in the Kaiserstuhl area Photo: Peter H, pixabay.com
Spring in the Kaiserstuhl: Blossoming cherry trees Photo: Couleur, pixabay.com
Vineyards in the Kaiserstuhl Photo: Zotx, pixabay.com
Green hills in the Kaiserstuhl Photo: Achim Ruhnau, pixabay.com

Kaiserstuhl

The Kaiserstuhl is a small low mountain range in Breisgau, directly on the Rhine and on the border with France. The Breisgau is also called the 'Gateway of Spring' and is considered the warmest region in Germany. Its mild climate offers the best conditions for vineyards and makes the Kaiserstuhl a habitat for numerous warmth-loving plants and animals. The outstanding biodiversity is protected in no less than 16 nature reserves, which you can explore on beautiful hiking trails.

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Activities in the Kaiserstuhl area

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Attractions in the Kaiserstuhl area

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Hiking route · Vogtsburg in the Kaiserstuhl

Rund um Achkarren - Büchsenberg - Schneckenberg und Schlossberg

recommended route Difficulty moderate

Distance 14.7 km

Duration 4:17 h

Ascent 454 m

Descent 459 m

Aussichtsreiche Strecke am Rande des westl. Kaiserstuhls mit Wegen durch tiefe Hohlgassen wo mit Glück, je nach Jahreszeit, der farbenfrohe ...

from Gaby Läufer und Günther Flaig, Schwarzwaldverein Staufen-Bad Krozingen, Schwarzwaldverein e.V.

Hiking route · The Black Forest

Kaiserstuhl Wanderung Start-Ziel Endingen. 30.11.2019 inkl.Pausen (ca 1 Std)

recommended route Difficulty difficult

Distance 20.3 km

Duration 5:18 h

Ascent 676 m

Descent 674 m

Endingen (Nähe Bahnhof)-Amolterer Heide-Katharinenberg-Schelinger Höhe-Eichelspitz(Abstecher,deswegen kleiner Teil doppelt)-Endingen Bestattungswald ...

from TJM TM, Community

Long-Distance Hiking · The Black Forest

Schwarzwald-Kaiserstuhl-Rhein (Schwarzwald-Querweg)

Premium content Difficulty moderate

Distance 112.1 km

Duration 30:00 h

Ascent 1,352 m

Descent 1,829 m

Der Schwarzwald-Querweg führt von Donaueschingen immer in westlicher Richtung bis nach Breisach am Rhein.

from Matthias Stiel, Outdooractive Premium

Mountain Biking · The Black Forest

With the mountain bike to the highest mountains of the Kaiserstuhl

Premium content Difficulty moderate

Distance 30.4 km

Duration 2:30 h

Ascent 1,000 m

Descent 1,000 m

The Kaiserstuhl is characterised by its vineyards on fertile soil. On this mountain bike tour, we not only conquer the highest elevations of the ...

from Franka Fuchs, Outdooractive Premium

Mountain Biking · The Black Forest

Mountain bike tour to the Totenkopf in the Kaiserstuhl region

Premium content Difficulty moderate

Distance 31.3 km

Duration 2:30 h

Ascent 1,079 m

Descent 1,079 m

On this technically easy mountain bike tour we climb the two highest elevations of the Kaiserstuhl, the Totenkopf (556 m) and the Eichelspitze ...

from Franka Fuchs, Outdooractive Premium

Hiking route · Kaiserstuhl

Eichelspitze – Über den Geopfad auf den zweithöchsten Kaiserstühler

recommended route Difficulty easy Open

Distance 15.7 km

Duration 4:30 h

Ascent 440 m

Descent 440 m

Die Geo-Tour auf die Eichelspitze nimmt uns mit auf die Spuren der Landschaftsgeschichte im Kaiserstuhl: Vom Vulkanismus bis zum Weinbau werden in ...

from Matthias Schopp / Gunter Schön, Schwarzwaldverein e.V.

Bike Riding · The Black Forest

Oberrhein Römer-Radweg durch Markgräflerland und Kaiserstuhl

recommended route Difficulty moderate

Distance 138.9 km

Duration 10:47 h

Ascent 1,131 m

Descent 1,199 m

Mit dem Fahrrad auf geschichtsträchtiger Route durch das Markgräflerland und den Breisgau.

from Felix Odebrecht, Badenweiler Tourismus GmbH

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Nature in the Kaiserstuhl

Gentle hills and extensive vineyards, green meadows and blossoming fruit trees characterise the landscape of the Kaiserstuhl. Germany's smallest low mountain range is located in Breisgau on the Upper Rhine and covers an area of around 100 square kilometres. The heights, visible from afar, are framed by the higher mountain ranges of the Black Forest and the Vosges. The highest peak in the Kaiserstuhl is the Totenkopf ('Dead Man's Head') at 556 metres.

Spring arrives earlier in the Kaiserstuhl than elsewhere in Germany: warm temperatures and plenty of sunshine make the almond, apple and cherry trees blossom. A total of 16 nature reserves in the Kaiserstuhl protect the habitats of numerous animal and plant species that feel at home in the warm climate of the Breisgau. If you go exploring here, you can discover as many as 30 wild orchid species along the way and observe birds such as the hoopoe (German Bird of the Year 2022!) that have become rare elsewhere.

A special feature of the Kaiserstuhl are also the hollow paths, gorge-like paths created by erosion of the loess layer, which served as the only connection between the villages before there were roads and are now protected nature reserves.

The hoopoe is native to the Kaiserstuhl.
Photo: Delyth Williams, CC0, pixabay.com

Hiking in the Kaiserstuhl

Hikers enjoy more than 400 km of signposted routes in the Kaiserstuhl, many of which are themed around topics such as geology, history, nature conservation or water management. Perhaps the most beautiful route is the Kaiserstuhlpfad, a 22-kilometre hiking trail that leads to the most beautiful places in the Kaiserstuhl. In addition, a total of nine nature trails run through the region. The best known of these is the Neunlindenpfad, but the Badbergpfad and the Wiedehopfpfad are also worth a visit.

Cycling in the Kaiserstuhl

Cyclists go to leisurely pleasure tours or sporty rounds on the 190 km long cycle path network. The paths lead through idyllic wine-growing villages, picturesque terraced vineyards and to unique vantage points. Along the way you can enjoy the regional cuisine. Well-known long-distance cycle paths along the Kaiserstuhl are the Veloroute Rhein, the cycle path "Grüne Straße", the European cycle path Elzach-Villé as well as the Oberrhein-Römer-Radweg and the Badischer Weinradweg.