Northern Black Forest

Many scenic cycle routes cross the Rastatt district, such as the 130 km long PAMINA Rhine Park route, the Hofladentour and the Tour der Murg, which follows the course of the eponymous river. Visit the website below for more information about these cycling routes of the Murg Valley.

The Black Forest National Park was founded in 2014 as the first national park in Baden-Württemberg. It is located inside the Central/North Black Forest Nature Park and is divided into two parts, the northern part being situated in the Rastatt district. The park covers an area of 10,062 hectares and extends along the Schwarzwaldhochstrasse between Plättig and Alexanderschanze. Much of the park’s wildlife is allowed to evolve freely, without human influence. Here, natural evolution takes precedence over exploitation, and visitors to the park get the unique opportunity to experience the transformation up close.

This huge nature reserve is a paradise for all those who wish to experience wildlife in its natural surroundings - all year round. The main purpose of the Central/North Black Forest Nature Park is to preserve the beautiful and pristine landscape and to enable tourists and locals to discover the Black Forest in an ecofriendly way.

An entire region as museum: this is the idea behind the PAMINA Rhine Park. It is neither a nature reserve nor an open air museum, it's a cross-border project along the river Rhine. The picturesque alluvial landscapes between Karlsruhe and the southern Rastatt district are the main showpiece. Further attractions include ten themed museums, two conservation centers and numerous other interesting sites along the way. The area can be explored on foot or by bike, and covers 850 km sq. In Rastatt, you can find information about the PAMINA Rhine Park at the Riedmuseum.

The Rastatt district includes part of the Ortenau Wine Trail, 100 kilometers of vineyards and wine makers. It goes without saying that the area lends itself to hiking and wine tasting. The trail goes from Gernsbach to Diersburg, passing by castles, palaces and beautiful landscapes. Parallel to the Ortenau Wine Trail runs the Baden Wine Route, offering more tasting opportunities and scenic views. Typical wines of the region are Müller-Thurgau, Riesling and Pinot Noir. Baden Wine Route: Address Schwarzwald Tourismus GmbH, Heinrich-von-Stephan-Straße 8b, 79100 Freiburg Phone +49 761 8964688 Web www.badische-weinstrasse.de Email info@badische-weinstrasse.de Ortenau Wine Trail:

In the 12the century, the Windeck lords built a castle on a hill southeast of Bühl to serve as lodgings, fortress and symbol of their claim to power. Because of the cold wind, the inhabitants nicknamed their new home "Wind-Eck" ("wind corner“). The castle is now in ruin but it remains an impressive sight to visit. From its tower, open between April and November, one can enjoy beautiful views of the countryside.

The Schwarzach Cathedral, or Münster Swarzach, is located in Rheinmünster and is one of the great artistic treasures of Baden-Württemberg. Characterised by baroque farm buildings and a splendid monastic gate, it was the cathedral of a former Benedictine abbey and it dates back to the 9th century. After a devastating fire in 1299, the monastery was soon restored and the new building solemnly consecrated in 1302. The consecration, called "Schwarzacher Kirwe“, is celebrated each year on the third Tuesday in October. The Schwarzach Cathedral is now a popular venue for concerts, offering top-class artists, excellent acoustics and an extraordinary atmosphere.

The most famous scenic road in the Black Forest is the Schwarwaldhochstrasse, which stretches from Baden-Baden to Freudenstadt (highway B500). On a clear day, the road commands fabulous views over the Rhine plain and the Vosges mountain range. One of the most popular stops along the way is the Mummelsee, a glacial cirque lake providing endless opportunities for outdoor activities.

Despite its span of 37,8 meters only, the roofed cantilever bridge in Forbach is one of the longest of its kind in Europe. The wooden bridge is practicable and looks much today as it did in 1778. It was damaged after WWII, then moved in 1954-55 and rebuilt following the original drawings.

Mehliskopf mountain rises above the Schwarzwaldhochstraße. At its summit stands an observation tower with a breathtaking panoramic outlook. Nearby you can find ski pistes and a recreation and sports center boasting a year-round bobsleigh run as wells as an adventure playground, a climbing garden and downhill carting in the summer.

Rastatt Favorite Palace, or Schloss Favorite, is a 18th-century Baroque palace just outside Rastatt city centre. It is the only surviving "porcelain palace" in Germany, hosting a vast collection of Chinese porcelains. You can take a guided tour of the premises, but note that it will be in German.