Belchen (Black Forest)
Mountain Prominent Black Forest peak with panoramic Rhine views
A Black Forest peak with well‑marked hiking trails and a visitor road; people come for day hikes, panoramic views across the Rhine valley and seasonal skiing on higher slopes.
Belchen is a prominent mountain in the Black Forest region of Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with a summit at roughly 1,414 metres above sea level. It is one of the better-known high points of the southern Black Forest.
Marked hiking routes lead to the summit and are used for seasonal outdoor recreation including panoramic viewing and nature walks. The summit offers wide-ranging views across the Black Forest and, on clear days, distant alpine silhouettes.
Historically the peak has been a local landmark used for traditional navigation and regional recreation; infrastructure for hikers has developed over the 20th century. The site is managed for both conservation and low-intensity tourism.
The mountain sits in the southern part of the Black Forest, within Baden-Württemberg, close to the borders with France and Switzerland and surrounded by forested ridges and valleys. The nearest towns and trailheads are reached by regional roads.
- Elevation: Summit reaches about 1,414 metres above sea level, making it one of the higher peaks in the Black Forest.
- Hiking access: Popular for day hikes with marked trails to the summit that provide broad panoramic views on clear days.
How to Get to Belchen (Black Forest) #
Belchen is accessible from the town of Schönenberg and nearby villages in Baden-Württemberg. The Belchenbahn (cable railway) runs from Schönenberg up the mountain; regional trains to nearby towns plus local buses connect to the base stations.
Tips for Visiting Belchen (Black Forest) #
- Take the Belchenbahn (mountain railway) from Schönenberg for an easier ascent and immediate panoramic views.
- Hike early morning to avoid afternoon cloud buildups that can obscure the summit.
- If planning a longer walk, connect the Belchen with nearby peaks to form a satisfying multi-summit route.
Best Time to Visit Belchen (Black Forest) #
Popular in summer for hiking and in winter for snow sports. Shoulder seasons offer quieter trails and good weather windows.
Weather & Climate near Belchen (Black Forest) #
Belchen (Black Forest)'s climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with cool summers (peaking in August) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -5°C to 17°C. Abundant rainfall (1880 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 1°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (169 mm) and breezy conditions.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -5°C. Significant rainfall (163 mm) and breezy conditions.
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March
March is freezing with highs of 3°C and lows of -3°C. Significant rainfall (148 mm).
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April
April is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (137 mm).
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May
May is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (150 mm).
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June
June is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 7°C. Significant rainfall (164 mm).
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July
July is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (155 mm).
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August
August is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (132 mm).
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September
September is cool with highs of 14°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (126 mm).
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October
October is cold with highs of 10°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (156 mm).
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November
November is cold with highs of 5°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (182 mm) and breezy conditions.
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December
December is freezing with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (198 mm) and breezy conditions.
