Sledging, Winter Walks & Snowshoeing at Feldberg — Winter Without Skis
Winter at Feldberg works without skis too: the sledging slope at the Seebuck lies behind the Haus der Natur, the Panoramaweg is a premium winter trail checked daily, and two signposted snowshoe trails start there. Stay on marked routes, because the forests are a winter refuge for wildlife.
At a glance
- Sledging
- Seebuck sledging slope, 75 m, ride up on Förderband 1
- Winter walks
- Panoramaweg, around 9 km, 2.5–3 h, checked daily
- Snowshoes
- Seebuck-Trail approx. 4 km, Gipfel-Trail approx. 8 km, rental at the Haus der Natur
- Lifts in winter
- no pedestrians, Feldbergturm closed
- Key rule
- Stay on marked routes — the forest is a wildlife refuge
Winter on the Feldberg — even without skis
The Feldberg is the largest ski area in the Black Forest and, according to the Naturschutzzentrum Südschwarzwald, almost always snow-covered in winter. But not everyone comes to ski — and that is a good thing. Because winter up here has a quieter, almost meditative side: deeply snow-covered firs, rolled paths and the silence that only fresh snow brings.
If you prefer to experience winter on foot rather than on the piste, the Feldberg is just right; if you do want to ski, you will find everything in our Feldberg skiing guide, and an overview of everything on offer on our page Winter holiday at Feldberg.
Sledging at Feldberg
The Rodelhang am Seebuck lies in Feldberg-Ort behind the Haus der Natur and, according to the operator, is 75 metres long, and sledgers may use Förderband 1 to ride back up; sledges are not allowed on the other lifts and conveyor belts. According to the operator, sledges are available in the sports shops and ski schools. Further slopes in the region, as the operator lists them:
| Place | Length | Ride up |
|---|---|---|
| Rodelhang am Seebuck (Feldberg-Ort, behind the Haus der Natur) | 75 m | Förderband 1 (according to the operator) |
| Altglashütten, Schwarzenbachlift | 100 m | conveyor belt |
| Todtnauberg, Bucklift | 100 m | — |
| Menzenschwand, Mösle | 150 m | — |
| Muggenbrunn, Wasenlift | 300 m | — |
| Bernau, Krunkelbachhütte | 3.5 km | Pistenbully by arrangement |
For families, our family holiday guide covers everything there is for children around Feldberg.
Winter walks: the Panoramaweg and other trails
The Panoramaweg starts at the Haus der Natur and leads over the Seebuck to the Todtnauer Hütte and the St. Wilhelmer Hütte, with an optional detour to the summit; according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, as a premium winter trail it is checked daily and cleared or rolled, and the Naturschutzzentrum writes that the paths are usually rolled soon after fresh snow. The sources give slightly different figures, hence the range:
| Trail | Length | Time | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Panoramaweg (premium winter trail) | around 9 km (Naturschutzzentrum approx. 9 km, Hochschwarzwald Tourismus 8.76 km) | 2.5–3 h | 210 m of ascent, medium, checked daily |
| Raimartihofweg | 6.4 km | 2:30 h | according to the operator |
| Feldbergweg | 5.2 km | 2:30 h | according to the operator |
| Drehkopfrunde | 4.3 km | 1:30 h | according to the operator |
| Seesträßle | 2.7 km | 1:30 h | according to the operator |
| Winterwanderweg Feldberg–Falkau | 5.5 km | 2 h | easy, according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus |
Honestly: winter hiking is easily underestimated. Walking through snow is more strenuous than on firm ground — allow a little more time and take a warm drink with you.
Snowshoeing: the two trails
Both snowshoe trails are signposted throughout and start at the Haus der Natur, where the Naturschutzzentrum Südschwarzwald rents out snowshoes and telescopic poles. The figures come from the Naturschutzzentrum; the operator gives different lengths, hence “approx.”:
| Trail | Length | Ascent | Time |
|---|---|---|---|
| Seebuck-Trail | approx. 4 km | 170 m | approx. 1.5 h |
| Gipfel-Trail | approx. 8 km | 320 m | 3–4 h |
Beyond the Seebuck the Gipfel-Trail is only sparsely signposted and, according to the Naturschutzzentrum, must not be walked in fog. For a first tour the Naturschutzzentrum offers guided snowshoe walks, bookable depending on snow from December to the end of March: the short tour of approx. 4.5 km and 2.5 hours from age 6, the long one of approx. 8 km and 4.5 to 5 hours.
Rules for the winter forest
Stay on the marked paths and trails: the forests marked in red on the Naturschutzzentrum map are a winter refuge for wildlife and must not be entered. Do not walk in the Loipe track (the cross-country ski trail), which often runs alongside the rolled paths. The summit section is marked with black-and-orange poles; in fog or snowstorm the Naturschutzzentrum strongly advises against going. Emergency number 112 reaches the Bergwacht (mountain rescue). And: according to the operator, the Feldbergbahn and the other lifts carry no pedestrians during the winter season for safety reasons, and the Feldbergturm is closed in winter.
What you should bring
- Warm, waterproof clothing in layers — on the mountain it is colder and windier than in the valley
- Sturdy winter boots with a good tread; on ice, crampons (shoe chains) are helpful
- Sunglasses and sunscreen — the winter sun on the snow is often underestimated
- A warm drink in a thermos flask
Getting there and parking in winter
All tours start at the Haus der Natur in Feldberg-Ort. By car you park in the Parkhaus Feldberg at the Seebuck (around 1,200 spaces according to the operator); the details, including for snow days, are in our Feldberg parking guide. Without a car: the Höllentalbahn from Freiburg to Titisee or Bärental, then bus 7300 to Feldberger Hof — free for overnight guests with the KONUS guest card. All the ways to reach us are on our directions page.
The perfect base for winter
After a tour through the snow there is hardly anything nicer than returning to your own holiday apartment: our holiday apartments at Feldberg are in the municipality of Feldberg, with your own kitchen for a hot tea and room to warm up and dry your things. It is about 8 km to the Haus der Natur and the Parkhaus Feldberg at the Seebuck, roughly 10 minutes by car in normal road conditions; everything about parking is in our parking guide.
Frequently asked questions about sledging, winter walks and snowshoeing at Feldberg
Can you hike on the Feldberg in winter without skiing?
Yes. The Panoramaweg from the Haus der Natur is a premium winter trail around 9 kilometres long which, according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, is checked daily and cleared or rolled; there are also shorter routes such as the Seesträßle or the Drehkopfrunde. Sturdy footwear is enough, and the Naturschutzzentrum Südschwarzwald in the Haus der Natur rents out snowshoes and telescopic poles.
Do you need experience for snowshoeing?
No, but a sense of direction: the Seebuck-Trail (approx. 4 kilometres, approx. 1.5 hours according to the Naturschutzzentrum) is signposted throughout and the place to start; the Gipfel-Trail (approx. 8 kilometres, 3 to 4 hours) is only sparsely marked beyond the Seebuck and must not be walked in fog. For a first tour the Naturschutzzentrum offers guided snowshoe walks, bookable depending on snow from December to the end of March.
Where can you toboggan on the Feldberg?
At the Rodelhang am Seebuck in Feldberg-Ort, behind the Haus der Natur: it is 75 metres long, and according to the operator sledgers may use Förderband 1 to ride back up — sledges are not allowed on the other lifts and conveyor belts. In the surrounding area the operator lists further slopes in Altglashütten (Schwarzenbachlift, 100 metres, conveyor belt), Todtnauberg, Menzenschwand, Muggenbrunn and Bernau.
When is there snow on the Feldberg?
According to the Naturschutzzentrum Südschwarzwald, the Feldberg is almost always snow-covered in winter; according to Hochschwarzwald Tourismus, the ski season typically runs from late November to early April, depending on snow. The operator’s snow report shows the current snow depth — nobody guarantees a date.
Where can you hire snowshoes at Feldberg?
The Naturschutzzentrum Südschwarzwald in the Haus der Natur rents out snowshoes and telescopic poles; both snowshoe trails start there too. According to the operator, sledges are available in the sports shops and ski schools at Feldberg.
Can you ride the Feldbergbahn or the lifts to go walking in winter?
No. According to the operator, no pedestrians may be carried during the winter season for safety reasons, and the Feldbergturm is closed in winter. Winter walkers reach the Seebuck on foot via the Panoramaweg or on snowshoes via the Seebuck-Trail.
How long is the Panoramaweg at Feldberg?
Around 9 kilometres: the Naturschutzzentrum gives approx. 9 kilometres and approx. 2.5 hours, Hochschwarzwald Tourismus 8.76 kilometres, 3 hours and 210 metres of ascent, difficulty medium. The trail starts at the Haus der Natur and leads over the Seebuck to the Todtnauer Hütte and the St. Wilhelmer Hütte, with an optional detour to the summit.
Stay with us
In our holiday apartments you stay right at the Feldberg — self check-in, a fully equipped kitchen, cosy and warm after a winter’s day. Dogs are welcome. Booked directly, you pay around 7% less than on Booking.com.