Hornisgrinde Mountain
Highest peak of Northern Black Forest with moorland plateau
The highest peak of the Northern Black Forest, Hornisgrinde features a raised bog, lookout tower and trails for hiking and cross-country skiing in Baden-Württemberg.
Hornisgrinde at a Glance#
Address: Hornisgrinde, Black Forest (Baden-Württemberg), Germany
Admission: Free (outdoor area); nearby visitor facilities may charge
About Hornisgrinde#
Hornisgrinde is the highest peak in the Northern Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg, Germany, with an elevation of about 1,164 metres. It is known for a conspicuous summit plateau and a preserved high-moor landscape.
The summit area contains a raised-bog habitat and offers marked trails and panoramic views across the Black Forest and into the Rhine valley on clear days. A small lake, the Mummelsee, lies on the mountain’s eastern slopes and is a well-known local attraction.
The mountain has been used for forestry and tourism for centuries; in the 20th century sections of the summit were used for radar and telecommunications installations but large parts are now conservation areas and hiking terrain. Efforts to protect the raised-bog date from modern conservation movements.
Hornisgrinde sits in the northern section of the Black Forest range in Baden-Württemberg, near towns such as Baiersbronn and Freudenstadt, and is accessible by regional roads and marked hiking trails.
- Elevation: The mountain’s summit reaches 1,164 metres, making it the highest point of the Northern Black Forest.
What to See#
- Mummelsee: A small highland lake located on the eastern slopes, popular with visitors and often used as a starting point for shorter walks on the mountain.
- Summit bog: A plateau and raised-bog area at the summit that preserves highland peatland vegetation and is the mountain’s characteristic ecological feature.
How to Get to Hornisgrinde#
Hornisgrinde is reached by regional roads from Baiersbronn or Seebach. The main visitor car parks are on the northern approach; signed trails and walking paths lead to the summit plateau. Public buses serve nearby towns, from which the ridge is a 30-60 minute hike.
Tips for Visiting Hornisgrinde#
- Park at the car park on the northern approach near Seebach and follow the signed trails south to the summit plateau.
- Bring a jacket even in summer - the summit frequently sits in clouds and a cold wind can cut through.
- Stop at the Merkur Tower area for one of the Black Forest's best sunrise/sunset panoramas when visibility is good.
Best Time to Visit Hornisgrinde#
A high Black Forest summit - accessible year-round but most comfortable in late spring to early autumn.
Weather & Climate near Hornisgrinde#
Hornisgrinde'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 -4°C to 18°C. Heavy rainfall (2022 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | - | -4° - 1° | -8° | 190 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
| February | - | -4° - 1° | -7° | 168 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| March | - | -2° - 4° | -4° | 171 mm | - | - | 5.4 m/s | - | - |
| April | - | 0° - 7° | -1° | 140 mm | - | - | 4.7 m/s | - | - |
| May | - | 5° - 12° | 6° | 160 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| June | - | 8° - 15° | 11° | 172 mm | - | - | 4.2 m/s | - | - |
| July | - | 10° - 18° | 14° | 168 mm | - | - | 4.1 m/s | - | - |
| August | - | 11° - 18° | 14° | 130 mm | - | - | 3.9 m/s | - | - |
| September | - | 7° - 14° | 11° | 140 mm | - | - | 4.4 m/s | - | - |
| October | - | 4° - 10° | 4° | 175 mm | - | - | 4.8 m/s | - | - |
| November | - | -1° - 4° | -3° | 200 mm | - | - | 5.5 m/s | - | - |
| December | - | -3° - 2° | -6° | 208 mm | - | - | 6.0 m/s | - | - |
