Menzenschwand lies at the foot of the Feldberg and is the starting point for one of the most beautiful family walks in the Upper Black Forest: the tour to the Menzenschwand waterfall. Tips on how to get there from the Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde, route descriptions and places to stop for refreshments.
Menzenschwand is a high-valley village between St. Blasien and the Feldberg pass at an altitude of around 880 metres. From the Wellnesshotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde, you can reach Menzenschwand in around 30 minutes by car. If you are looking for a varied yet manageable hike in the Black Forest, this is the place to be: the Menzenschwand waterfall plunges over three tiers and a total of around 50 metres into the valley.
Where is Menzenschwand?
Menzenschwand is a district of the municipality of St. Blasien and is located in the Waldshut district, at the southwestern foot of the Feldberg massif. Geographically, the high valley is situated at an altitude of around 880 metres — nestled between the slopes of the Spießhorn, the Krunkelbachhügel and the Herzogenhorn. The Albbach crosses the village and flows into the Alb a few kilometres further on. From the Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde, you can reach Menzenschwand in around 30 minutes by car via Bonndorf, St. Blasien and the L149.
What makes Menzenschwand special
Menzenschwand is both a climatic health resort and a radon spa. The springs were already in use in the 18th century. Today, the Albbach valley with its meadows, Black Forest farms and waterfall shapes the character of the village. Its location next to the Feldberg nature reserve makes Menzenschwand a quiet starting point for hikes — away from the hustle and bustle of the Feldberg summit pass.
In the town itself, a visit to the Albbäder complex, the historic parish church of St Hieronymus and the gallery of modern art is well worthwhile — the latter is known throughout Germany for its changing exhibitions.
Hike to the Menzenschwand Waterfall
The local classic: the approximately four-kilometre circular tour to the waterfall. From the Krunkelbachhütte hikers' car park or from the village centre, the route heads up the Menzenschwander Alb valley. After about 30 minutes, you reach the lowest tier of the waterfall. A wooden staircase leads further up to the two higher cascades with a viewing platform.
The return journey either leads back the same way (around an hour and a half in total) or via the hillside path with a view into the Alb valley (around two hours).
Difficulty: easy to moderate. Elevation gain: around 150 metres. Duration: 1.5 to 2 hours including breaks.
Longer hike: Menzenschwand — Krunkelbachhütte — Herzogenhorn
If you are looking for more vertical metres, combine the waterfall with the ascent to the Herzogenhorn (1,415 m), the second-highest peak in the Black Forest. The route starts in Menzenschwand, leads via the Krunkelbachhütte up to the summit and back via the western slope. On a clear day, the view from the summit stretches as far as the Vosges, the Swiss Plateau and the southern Black Forest.
Difficulty: demanding. Duration: around four hours. Elevation gain: around 550 metres.
Alpine baths and radon spa
Menzenschwand is one of the few places in Germany with its own radon spa spring. The radon spa has been treating disorders of the musculoskeletal system and the respiratory tract for decades. Treatments are medically prescribed and are partially covered by health insurance funds. Those not seeking medical treatment can visit the public Albbad — a modern leisure pool with indoor and outdoor pools.
Refreshment and provisions
Right by the waterfall is the Café-Restaurant Wasserfall with a sun terrace — Black Forest specialities, homemade cake and views of the cascades. The Krunkelbachhütte above the valley is a traditional walkers' lodge with hot food (seasonal). In the centre of Menzenschwand there are also two inns and a farm shop with regional products.
Winterhalter Museum and cultural tips
Anyone with time to spare can also visit the Hüsli — a reconstructed Black Forest farmstead — or the nearby Winterhalter Museum, which is dedicated to the famous court painter Franz Xaver Winterhalter. We have already featured the Winterhalter Museum in a own post described. Winterhalter was born in Menzenschwand in 1805 and later became a sought-after portrait painter at European courts — including those of Queen Victoria and Empress Sissi.
Practical tips
Parking. Krunkelbachhütte hiker's car park or village centre car park (both pay and display, around two to three euros per day). Konus guest card: free travel with bus 7300 from Sankt Blasien.
Footwear. Sturdy footwear is sufficient. The wooden stairs by the waterfall are slippery when wet.
Families. The short tour is suitable from about four years of age. Easily doable with a child carrier backpack. Pushchairs are only possible on the lower section of the path.
Dogs. Dogs are permitted, on a lead all year round in the nature reserve.
Vesper. Right by the waterfall, there is a bench arrangement overlooking the middle cascade — ideal for a picnic you've brought along or the packed lunch from the hotel.
Best time of year
The Menzenschwander Waterfall has water flowing all year round, particularly large amounts in spring and after rainfall. May and June are the main season because of the blooming mountain meadows. In the height of summer, the Albtal valley is pleasantly cool. In winter, the paths are only partially cleared — the tour is possible with crampons, though caution is required then. In winter, the waterfall partially freezes into impressive ice formations — a photo highlight for patient hikers.
Travel and accommodation
From the Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde wellness hotel, it takes around 30 minutes to drive to Menzenschwand. Recommendation: breakfast at eight o'clock, departure at around half past eight, and start hiking at nine. Return to the hotel at lunchtime or in the late afternoon. Anyone doing the longer Herzogenhorn tour should plan for a full day.
Our spa area with indoor pool, Finnish sauna and textile sauna provides relaxation after the hike.
Frequently asked questions about Menzenschwand
Where is Menzenschwand?
In the Waldshut district as a district of St. Blasien, at the foot of the Feldberg massif. Altitude around 880 metres. Around a 30-minute drive from the Hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde.
How high is the Menzenschwand waterfall?
The waterfall drops over three tiers and a total of around 50 metres into the valley. The highest single tier is around 18 metres high.
Is there an admission fee for the waterfall?
No. The paths are freely accessible. Only the hikers' car park and the café by the waterfall charge a fee.
How long does the waterfall tour take?
The short circular tour takes about 1.5 hours, and the longer option via the Hangweg takes about two hours. With children or many breaks, it will take correspondingly longer.
Is Menzenschwand suitable for families?
Yes. The waterfall circuit is one of the most family-friendly hikes in the Upper Black Forest. Few ascents, well marked, with somewhere to stop for food and drink at the destination.
What is the weather like in Menzenschwand?
Menzenschwand lies at an altitude of 880 metres and has a typical alpine climate: cooler and with higher precipitation than the Rhine valley, with a reliable snow cover in winter. Current figures can be found via the German Meteorological Service or the Southern Black Forest Nature Park app.
What else is there to do in Menzenschwand?
Hiking, mountain biking, visiting Albbäder, Modern Art Gallery, Winterhalter Museum, ski touring and snowshoeing in winter. In summer, the Naturena swimming lake is also popular in the region.
History of the village of Menzenschwand
Menzenschwand was first documented in 1289, though the earliest traces of settlement date back to the 8th century. The place name derives from the Middle High German „swant“, meaning forest clearing — typical of the colonisation of the Black Forest in the Middle Ages. For centuries, the inhabitants lived by cattle farming, charcoal burning and hammer mills, which utilised the water of the Albbach stream. The radon healing springs were discovered in the 18th century, making Menzenschwand a climatic health resort.
Mountain biking, trail running and sport
Menzenschwand is not just a hiking destination. Mountain bikers will find a well-signposted network of routes here that extends from the valley floor to the high altitudes of the Herzogenhorn. The „Krunkelbach Trail“ and the high-altitude path towards the Feldberg are regional classics. Trail runners appreciate the varied paths through forests and alpine meadows; in summer, the annual „Menzenschwand Trail“ takes place — a competitive race over several distances that leads to the summit of the Herzogenhorn.
In winter, Menzenschwand becomes a cross-country skiing hub. Several trails of varying lengths are regularly groomed — the longest connects Menzenschwand with Bernau im Hotzenwald and is around 25 kilometres long. A dedicated ski lift on the Krunkelbach slope also offers traditional skiing for beginners and children.
Regional cuisine and tradition
In the inns around Menzenschwand you can find classic Black Forest cuisine: Bibeleskäs, Black Forest ham from local farmers, trout from the Albbach stream and, of course, Black Forest gateau. Several farms in the region run farm shops with their own produce — cheese, sausages, bacon and, in summer, berry products. The wellness hotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde works closely with regional producers and incorporates their products into the breakfast buffet and the evening menu.
Guided walks from Menzenschwand
Those who do not wish to explore the Black Forest alone can join a guided hike. From May to October, the Menzenschwand tourist information office offers weekly free guided tours — ranging from family walks to the waterfall to the ambitious Herzogenhorn tour. Registration is possible via the Konus guest card. Certified Black Forest guides also lead private tours, such as plant identification walks, photography hikes or on geological topics.
Things to see in the local area
Anyone who spends a whole day around Menzenschwand combines the waterfall with a trip to St Blasien to see the famous cathedral (the second-largest dome in Europe after St Peter's in Rome). The Tannenmühle near Grafenhausen with its brown trout breeding and small animal enclosure is also just 25 minutes away. In winter, a panoramic road leads to the Feldberg pass summit — one of the most scenic routes in the Black Forest, with viewpoints and places to stop for refreshments along the way.
Accommodation tips in the Albbachtal
Anyone wanting to experience Menzenschwand and the Albbachtal valley over several days will find a wide range of accommodation options in the Upper Black Forest. The Wellnesshotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde in Ühlingen-Birkendorf can be reached in a 30-minute drive and combines day trips to Menzenschwand with a 450 m² wellness area for relaxation after a hike. Those wishing to stay directly in the village will find family-run guesthouses, holiday apartments on Black Forest farms and the clinic hotel with spa connections. For hikers, the luggage-free hiking concept along the stages of the Albsteig trail is particularly attractive.
What sets Menzenschwand apart from the rest of the Black Forest
The Upper Black Forest has many attractive places — what makes Menzenschwand stand out? Three points: firstly, its quiet location away from the main transport routes; secondly, the radon spa as a therapeutic offering; and thirdly, its direct proximity to the Feldberg nature reserve without the hustle and bustle of the mountain pass. Anyone who wants to hike, swim, relax and view art — all within two square kilometres — will find an exceptional range of options here. For many regular guests, Menzenschwand is the epitome of the „real“ Upper Black Forest: down-to-earth, traditional and close to nature.
Further sources on Menzenschwand
- Tourist Information Menzenschwand — guided walks, events, spa resort information
- Upper Black Forest Tourism — Menzenschwander Waterfall: Tour details and directions
- Town of St. Blasien — Higher-level municipality with cathedral and Albbäder thermal baths
- Wikipedia — Menzenschwand: History, Geography, Sights
- Albbad Menzenschwand — Leisure pool and radon spa
- Southern Black Forest Nature Park — Feldberg Nature Reserve, which also includes Menzenschwand
Reservation
Bookings made directly with the hotel save up to 35 per cent compared to booking portals.
Telephone: +49 (0)7743 9201-0
E-mail: info@sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de
Web: www.sonnenhof-sonnhalde.de
Wellnesshotel Sonnenhof & Sonnhalde, Schwarzwaldstraße 9, 79777 Ühlingen-Birkendorf, TOP WELLNESSHOTEL 2025.
Image source: Pixabay — Pixabay Content Licence. Video: YouTube.
