Todtnau Travel Guide
City Mountain town in Baden-Württemberg, Germany
A Black Forest village beneath steep fir slopes, Todtnau serves waterfalls, toboggan runs and hiking trails. Guests arrive for Todtnau Waterfall, winter skiing on Feldberg and wood-smoked Black Forest ham in local inns.
Why Visit Todtnau? #
Tucked into the southern Black Forest, Todtnau attracts nature lovers with its waterfall, mountain trails and year-round outdoor activities. The Todtnau Waterfall and an exhilarating summer toboggan run offer contrasting thrills, while nearby Feldberg provides skiing and extensive hiking routes. Traditional Black Forest guesthouses serve hearty regional dishes after active days outdoors.
Top Things to Do in Todtnau
All Attractions ›- Todtnau Waterfall (Todtnauer Wasserfall) - See Todtnau Waterfall cascading through wooded gorges on marked walking trails.
- Hasenhorn Coaster and cable car - Ride the Hasenhorn Alpine coaster and cable car for family-friendly mountain views.
- Todtnau village centre - Wander the village centre for traditional Black Forest houses and cafés.
- Ravennaschlucht (Ravenna Gorge) - Follow footpaths through Ravennaschlucht, passing a dramatic viaduct and shaded ravine.
- Local schnapps distillery visits - Tour a family schnapps distillery to learn production and sample fruit brandies.
- Quiet alpine meadows near Todtnau - Find lesser-used meadow paths for wildflowers, picnics and peaceful mountain time.
- Feldberg - Drive to Feldberg for higher-altitude trails, alpine meadows and panoramic summits.
- Freiburg im Breisgau - Visit Freiburg for the Münster, medieval lanes and lively market at Munsterplatz.
Best Time to Visit Todtnau #
Visit Todtnau from late spring to early autumn for hiking, waterfalls, and open alpine pastures. Winters are snowy and popular with winter-sport enthusiasts but can be cold and changeable.
Best Time to Visit Todtnau #
Todtnau's climate is classified as Warm-Summer Continental - Warm-Summer Continental climate with mild summers (peaking in July) and freezing winters (coldest in January). Temperatures range from -4°C to 21°C. Abundant rainfall (1465 mm/year), wettest in December, distributed fairly evenly throughout the year.
January
January is the coldest month with highs of 2°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (128 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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February
February is freezing with highs of 4°C and lows of -4°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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March
March is cold with highs of 7°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (107 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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April
April is cold with highs of 11°C and lows of 1°C. Significant rainfall (113 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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May
May is cool with highs of 16°C and lows of 6°C. Significant rainfall (129 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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June
June is cool with highs of 19°C and lows of 9°C. Significant rainfall (133 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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July
July is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 11°C. Significant rainfall (123 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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August
August is cool with highs of 21°C and lows of 10°C. Significant rainfall (105 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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September
September is cool with highs of 17°C and lows of 7°C. Regular rainfall (97 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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October
October is cold with highs of 12°C and lows of 3°C. Significant rainfall (121 mm) and partly cloudy skies.
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November
November is cold with highs of 6°C and lows of -1°C. Significant rainfall (136 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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December
December is cold with highs of 4°C and lows of -3°C. The wettest month with heavy rain (152 mm) and mostly overcast skies.
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How to Get to Todtnau
Todtnau is best reached via Freiburg (rail hub) or EuroAirport with a connecting regional bus into the Black Forest. There is no direct long-distance rail to Todtnau; buses from Freiburg are the usual public-transport solution.
EuroAirport Basel-Mulhouse-Freiburg (BSL/MLH/EAP): EuroAirport is the common international gateway for the southern Black Forest. From the airport take rail services into Basel or Mulhouse and onward by train to Freiburg im Breisgau, then a regional bus to Todtnau; total travel time typically ranges from 1.5-3 hours depending on connections. Combined fares for the rail+bus leg are commonly in the €15-35 range.
Freiburg (by rail from other airports): If you arrive via Frankfurt (FRA) or Zurich (ZRH), take a long-distance train to Freiburg Hbf and then a regional bus toward Todtnau. Travel times vary by origin but expect at least 2-4 hours from major hubs.
Train: Todtnau does not have a direct long-distance rail link; the nearest major rail hub is Freiburg Hauptbahnhof. From Freiburg take a regional bus (Südbaden or RVS services) into the southern Black Forest and on to Todtnau - bus journey times are commonly 60-90 minutes from Freiburg.
Bus: Regional buses from Freiburg and neighbouring towns run to Todtnau and are the practical public-transport option. Timetables are more frequent in daytime and during ski/hiking seasons; check local RVS/SWEG schedules for exact times.
How to Get Around Todtnau #
Todtnau’s centre is compact and walkable, making it a good base for hiking and winter sports. Regional buses connect Todtnau with nearby towns and the Feldberg area; a car gives more flexibility for exploring the Black Forest. Biking is popular in summer; in winter, check local transport for ski shuttle services and seasonal timetable changes.
Where to Stay in Todtnau #
- Hotel Todtnau - Simple, family-run accommodation.
- Hotel Restaurant St. Georg - Comfortable rooms, traditional Black Forest meals.
- Local mid-range hotels nearby - Good for outdoor activity access.
Where to Eat in Todtnau #
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Todtnau's restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
Nightlife in Todtnau #
Nightlife is quiet and centred on guesthouse bars, beer gardens and hotel lounges. Activity increases during ski season and summer events, but otherwise evenings are calm and community‑focused.
Shopping in Todtnau #
Shopping is limited to small local shops, bakeries and outdoor retailers catering to hikers and skiers. You’ll find practical goods and souvenirs rather than large shopping centres. For bigger purchases or brand stores, regional centres such as Freiburg are the nearest options.