Hiking in the Black Forest with children: 5 enchanted forest trails from the hotel

He who lives in Hiking in the Black ForestAnyone looking for family options will primarily find the themed Magic Forest trails around the Upper Black Forest. Hiking in the Black Forest with children means shorter distances, plenty of hands-on stations and themes that motivate children to walk along.

He who lives in Black Forest hiking who are looking for family friendliness at the same time will find an ideal combination in the Magic Forest Trails. These themed adventure trails wind through the mixed forest of the Upper Black Forest, combining exercise with stories, activity stations and a nature experience. The finest magic forest routes can be reached from the Wellnesshotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde in 5 to 30 minutes by car.

This post summarises the most important family trails around the hotel: from the Kugelwald trail right by the hotel to the nature trail and the themed Geißenpfad tour at the Feldberg.

• Suitable for: Families with children aged 3 and over
• Path lengths: 1–6 km depending on the tour
• Directions from the hotel: 5–45 mins
• Admission: mostly free

What are enchanted forest trails in the Black Forest?

Magic forest paths are adventure trails laid out in the forest that encourage children to go hiking through stories or playful stations. In the Black Forest there is a particularly high concentration of these paths — many municipalities have created their own routes over the last 15 years. The idea behind it: children find it easier to hike when there is something to touch, play with and discover along the way.

At Hiking in the Black Forest With children, from the hotel we focus on a mix of these adventure trails and shorter classic hiking trails. The effect: children associate hiking with play instead of a chore.

Birkendorf Marble Run Trail — right by the hotel

The Kugelwaldpfad in Birkendorf is the classic hotel attraction. Wooden balls roll down the slope through fifteen stations, powering small mills or producing sounds. The path is free of charge, accessible all year round and a ten-minute walk from the hotel.

Length: around 1 km. Duration with children: 1–2 hours. Difficulty: easy. Ideal activity for the day of arrival or departure.

Naturena nature trail — right next to the bathing lake

Right by the Naturena bathing lake in Birkendorf, a nature trail with twelve stations leads around the local flora and fauna. Display boards, a sound memory game, touch boxes — the stations are interactive and exciting for children aged 4 and over. In summer, it can be combined with a swim in the lake.

Length: 2 km. Duration: 1.5 hours. Travel time from hotel: 5 mins on foot.

Goats' Path Feldberg — for older children

Near the Feldberg, the Geißenpfad leads through the old grazing areas of the Black Forest goats. Several display boards explain regional sheep and goat farming, and at one station you can stroke the animals. The tour is more challenging than the Kugelwaldpfad — 5 km, some elevation change, ideal for children aged 7 and over.

Directions from the hotel: approx. 45 mins. Can be combined with the Feldsee or Feldbergsteig for longer day trips with older children.

Schluhuwanapark Grafenhausen — Forest + Animals

The Schluhuwanapark is not a traditional enchanted forest path, but rather an adventure park in the forest with activity stations, animal enclosures and play equipment. 15 minutes from the hotel, free of charge all year round, ideal for families with younger children. The paths in the park are partly steep — sturdy shoes are recommended.

Tip: By the Schluhuwanapark, there is a playground and a restaurant that serves as a refreshment stop when hiking in the Black Forest.

Wuhrweiher Circular Trail Bonndorf

A bit further away, but worth it: The Wuhrweiher circular trail in Bonndorf is a classic nature trail with information boards and wooden sculptures. 4 km, flat, pushchair-friendly. Journey from the hotel: 25 mins. Ideal for families with small children and older siblings.

Hiking Black Forest with children: Daily itinerary

A week of family holiday at the hotel could look like this:

• Day 1 (Arrival): Kugelwaldpfad as an opening walk
• Day 2: Schlühüwanapark with picnic
• Day 3: Wutach Gorge (Lotenbachklamm tour) for older children
• Day 4: Naturena bathing lake + nature trail
• Day 5: Feldberg with Geißenpfad and railway
• Day 6: Schlüchtsee with picnic
• Day 7 (Departure): Todtnau suspension bridge as a final highlight

Family hiking gear

For most magic forest paths, standard equipment is sufficient: trainers or light hiking boots, a water bottle per person, a snack box, sun protection. For children under 6, a child carrier is useful in case their stamina runs out. Hotel guests can order a packed lunch at reception — ready packed the next morning.

Best season for family trails

May to October is the best time for hiking in the Black Forest with children. In spring, the streams are full, the wild garlic is in bloom. In summer, the days are long, many paths are shady. In autumn, the beech forest glows. In winter, some paths are closed or only accessible to a limited extent — when there is snow, the stations of the ball trail do not work.

From the hotel to hiking in the Black Forest

What makes Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde so valuable from a family perspective: two family trails (marble run trail, Naturena) start right on the doorstep, while the other major adventure trails are a 15–45 minute drive away. The evening wellness area rewards tired legs.

For hotel guests with children, we offer special packages: the „Auf Schusters Rappen“ (On Shanks's Pony) package with a packed lunch and map materials, or the family rooms with an extra bed. Direct booking through us saves up to 35 per cent compared to booking portals.

Frequently asked questions about hiking in the Black Forest with children

Which magic forest path is the most beautiful?

Subjective: the wooden ball trail in Birkendorf, because the wooden ball stations keep children busy for a long time and the mechanics impress parents. From a hoteliers perspective, it is the most obvious one — right on the doorstep.

From what age do the paths work?

Kugelwaldpfad and Naturena from 3 years. Geißenpfad from 6–7 years. Wutachschlucht and Todtnau suspension bridge from 6 years with parents.

How much do the family trails cost?

Most are free (Kugelwaldpfad, nature trail, Geißenpfad, Wuhrweiher). Schluhuwanapark is also free. Admission is only charged for the Todtnau suspension bridge (€12 for adults).

Are the paths suitable for pushchairs?

Restricted. Nature trail and Wuhrweiher: yes. Kugelwaldpfad: partially. Geißenpfad and Wutachschlucht: no, child carrier needed.

Family holiday in a spa hotel

The Wellness Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde in Ühlingen-Birkendorf is geared towards families: family rooms, a child-friendly breakfast, and a family-friendly wellness area with an indoor pool. Direct booking saves up to 35 per cent.

Telephone: +49 (0)7743 9201-0
E-Mail: info@sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de

Further tips for hiking in the Black Forest with children: Ask for advice at the hotel reception. We know each of the mentioned tours, can advise on the suitable age group and will pack the packed lunch for the next day. Hiking in the Black Forest thus becomes a stress-free family programme.

Hiking Black Forest: Equipment Recommendations

Anyone planning hiking in the Black Forest as a regular activity invests in equipment: ankle-high hiking boots (mandatory for all tours), functional clothing in layers, a waterproof rain jacket, a small daypack (20-25 L). When hiking in the Black Forest with children, you additionally need: a child carrier backpack for toddlers, a change of clothes, and child-friendly snacks.

Black Forest hiking: Safety

Before every Black Forest hiking day: morning weather check, check trail conditions (Nature Park website), download GPX tracks offline (mobile reception in the valley is patchy). In the event of a thunderstorm, head for lower-lying areas immediately. Anyone hiking alone in the Black Forest leaves a route description at the hotel reception.