The Belchen mountain and surrounding area

It fails to qualify as the highest mountain in the Black Forest by just a few metres but it still claims to be the most picturesque. The Belchen (1414 metres) stands out in particular due to the magnificent views that can be had from the summit. There are panorama views of the Alps ( Zugspitze, Eiger/Monch/Jungfrau, Mont Blanc), of the Swiss Jura, the Vosges and the Rhine valley. A cable car starts from Aitern-Multen and conveys one in comfort to the top of the mountain.

A remarkable variety of animal and plant life can be found in the area - with rare butterflies, beetles and birds ( for example a rare type of raven is regularly sighted). Flowers can be discovered such as the Swiss bell flower and the Alp rose which are otherwise only to be found in the Alps .

It is therefore no surprise that the mountain and an area of 1600 ha around it form the largest nature reserve in the state of Baden Wurttemberg. The Park offers guided nature tours and learning trails, which inform the visitor about the nature and the countryside, the animals and the plants, the crafts and the mining in the region and also the sources of renewable energy.

But that is not all ! - there are also a variety of well marked hiking trails, also suitable for “Nordic Walking”, mountain bike trails and wonderfully curvy roads for bicycle riders. There are also possibilities to fish, sail, surf or swim. In winter cross country and downhill skiers are drawn to the Belchen Park. There are over 40 km of easy , intermediate and difficult circuits, a long distance ski hiking trail, sledge and toboggan runs and from the summit itself there are 4 easy to intermediate ski runs down.