Holiday with a Dog in the Black Forest: Tips for Feldberg

The Black Forest is dog country

The Black Forest is one of the best hiking regions in Germany — and for dog owners, that goes double. Vast forests, cool streams, soft woodland trails, and little traffic on the hiking paths make the region an ideal travel destination with a dog. At Feldberg, the highest mountain in the Black Forest, you get fresh mountain air and endless possibilities for long walks on top of that.

That said, there are a few things dog owners should know before setting off. Here are the most important tips for a successful holiday with your dog at Feldberg.

The best hiking trails with a dog

Feldbergsteig (about 12 km, moderate to difficult)

The certified premium trail starts in Feldberg-Ort behind the Haus der Natur and, according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, leads past the Feldberg Tower, the Seebuck and the summit through the Zastler Loch, an ice-age cirque, and past the Feldsee; dogs are allowed on a lead. The Feldsee can only be reached on foot, for example via the Seesträßle from the Caritas-Haus to the Raimartihof at the lake (2.68 km, about 1.5 hours, rated “medium” by Hochschwarzwald Tourismus). Swimming in the Feldsee is banned for people and dogs.

Feldberg summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg, 5.78 km, easy)

The accessible summit circuit takes about 2.5 hours and is rated easy by Hochschwarzwald Tourismus. It starts with a Feldbergbahn ride to the Seebuck station — according to the operator the Feldbergbahn takes dogs too — and leads along the Franz-Klarmeyer-Weg to the summit. In the nature reserve dogs stay on a lead.

Windgfällweiher

The Windgfällweiher lies between Feldberg and Schluchsee; according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus dogs are allowed there and may also swim. In the lido area itself, follow the signage on site.

Feldberg nature reserve — rules for dog owners

The Feldberg nature reserve is one of the oldest and most important protected areas in Baden-Wurttemberg. Clear rules apply for dog owners:

• Lead requirement in the nature reserves (according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus), including the Feldberg nature reserve
• Stay on the marked trails — neither humans nor dogs should leave the designated paths
• Do not dispose of dog waste bags in the forest — it sounds obvious, but unfortunately happens regularly. Take bags with you and drop them in the nearest bin

Outside the nature reserve, there is no general lead requirement on hiking trails, but during the breeding and fawning season (April to July), keeping dogs on a lead is strongly recommended to protect wildlife and ground-nesting birds.

Swimming spots for dogs

Not every lake allows dogs in the water, and at official lidos they are usually not permitted. What applies where:

• Schluchsee — at the Naturstrandbad at Seebrugg dogs are not allowed on the sunbathing lawn, nor at the aqua fun outdoor pool
• Titisee — dogs are not permitted on the grounds of the Badestelle Titisee, and swimming for dogs is forbidden in the lake itself
• Windgfällweiher — according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus your dog may swim here; in the lido area itself, follow the signage on site
• Feldsee — swimming is generally not permitted here (nature reserve), including for dogs

All the details are in Swimming in the Upper Black Forest.

Dog-friendly restaurants in the region

Dining out in the Black Forest is generally dog-friendly — significantly more so than in many other holiday regions. In most inns and restaurants with an outdoor terrace, dogs are welcome. Some even provide water bowls.

The same goes for the mountain inns along the hiking trails, where the guests come straight from hiking anyway.

For indoor seating, ask first — the vast majority of hosts are relaxed about it, but a quick “Is the dog allowed inside?” is good form.

Vets nearby

In case of an emergency: by car, Titisee-Neustadt is about 15 minutes away and Freiburg about 45 to 50 minutes. Which vets and emergency services are currently available there is best checked with a search before you travel.

Save the phone numbers before you leave — mobile reception in the Black Forest is not perfect everywhere.

Packing list for a dog holiday

Besides the usual (food, bowl, lead, bed), a few things that are especially useful at Feldberg:

• Long line (5-10 meters) for paths outside the nature reserve, where your dog can have more freedom to roam
• Towel for the dog — after a swim in the lake or a hike through wet forest, you will need it
• Paw protection in winter — road salt and ice on roads can irritate paws
• Tick protection — the Black Forest is tick territory, particularly from March to October
• Illuminated collar or flashing light — it gets dark early in winter, and on unlit forest paths, visibility matters
• Waste bags — goes without saying, really, but better to have too many than too few

Frequently asked questions about holidays with a dog at Feldberg

Do dogs have to be kept on a lead at Feldberg?

According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, dogs must be kept on a lead in the nature reserves — including the Feldberg nature reserve. Outside the reserve there is no general lead requirement on hiking trails, but during the breeding and fawning season from April to July, keeping your dog on a lead is strongly advised to protect wildlife and ground-nesting birds. What counts is always the signage on site.

Which hiking trails at Feldberg work well with a dog?

According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the Feldbergsteig (about 12 km) can be walked with a dog on a lead. For the summit circuit (Gipfelrundweg, 5.78 km), the Feldbergbahn takes dogs too, according to the operator. At the Windgfällweiher between Feldberg and Schluchsee dogs are allowed. The Feldsee can only be reached on foot, for example via the Seesträßle from the Caritas-Haus to the Raimartihof (2.68 km); in the nature reserve dogs stay on a lead, and swimming is banned for dogs too.

Where can my dog swim in the Upper Black Forest?

Not at the official bathing spots, as a rule: at the Naturstrandbad at Seebrugg on the Schluchsee dogs are not allowed on the sunbathing lawn, nor at the aqua fun outdoor pool or on the grounds of the Badestelle Titisee, and swimming for dogs is forbidden in the Titisee itself. According to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus your dog may swim in the Windgfällweiher. Swimming in the Feldsee is forbidden outright — dogs included.

Are dogs welcome in Black Forest restaurants and inns?

On outdoor terraces, almost always. Dining out in the Black Forest is markedly more dog-friendly than in many other holiday regions, and some places even put out water bowls. For indoor seating the rule is simple: ask first. The vast majority of hosts are relaxed about it, but a quick question is good form.

Are dogs allowed in the Black Forest Dream apartments?

Yes — dogs are expressly welcome in every one of our apartments; that is part of the standard offer, not an exception we grant. Tell us at booking that a dog is coming and we will plan the allocation accordingly. A small per-night charge applies for the dog; the current amount is in our FAQ and in your booking confirmation.

Dog-friendly accommodation at Feldberg

Many hotels in the Black Forest only accept dogs reluctantly — with surcharges, no access to the restaurant, and the feeling that you are basically a nuisance. A holiday apartment is almost always the better choice for dog owners.

At Black Forest Dream, dogs are expressly welcome. The apartments offer enough space for your dog to spread out, and self check-in means no lobby stress with an excited dog after a long car journey. Free parking right at the building makes loading and unloading easy, and the location at Feldberg means: the first morning walk leads straight into the forest — not across a hotel car park.

Because the best holiday with a dog is one where everyone feels at home — two-legged and four-legged alike.

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