Todtnau 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.
Todtnau at a Glance#
Costs: Moderate - $80-140/day - expect $80-140 per day for lodging, mountain activities, and summer tobogganing or skiing.
Safety: Very safe; outdoor risks - very safe typical Black Forest town; outdoor-sport risks are the main concern.
Best Time: Dec-Mar (winter) and Jun-Sep (summer) - winter for skiing; summer for hiking, mountain biking, and the toboggan run.
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.
Best Things to Do in Todtnau#
Todtnau Bucket List#
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.
December - February
-6°C to 2°C (21°F to 36°F)
Snowy, cold winters offer cross-country skiing and nearby ski resorts; expect short daylight and icy trails - best equipped travelers only.
March - May & September - November
2°C to 15°C (36°F to 59°F)
Cool, changeable weather with melting snow and vivid foliage; ideal for waterfall hikes, quiet trails, and fewer crowds outside peak summer.
June - August
12°C to 25°C (54°F to 77°F)
Mild, often rainy summers are perfect for hiking, mountain biking, and waterfall viewing; bring layers for cooler upland temperatures and sudden showers.
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.
| Month | Comfort | Temp | Feels | Rain | Sky | Humidity | Wind | UV | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Poor | -4° - 3° | -5° | 128 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.8h |
| February | Poor | -4° - 4° | -4° | 121 mm | overcast | 93% | 3.7 m/s | 0.2 low | 10.1h |
| March | Poor | -1° - 7° | 0° | 107 mm | partly cloudy | 86% | 3.7 m/s | 0.5 moderate | 11.8h |
| April | Acceptable | 1° - 11° | 4° | 113 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 3.3 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 13.5h |
| May | Acceptable | 6° - 16° | 11° | 129 mm | overcast | 80% | 3.0 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.9h |
| June | Good | 9° - 19° | 14° | 133 mm | partly cloudy | 79% | 2.9 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.7h |
| July | Good | 11° - 21° | 16° | 123 mm | partly cloudy | 78% | 2.8 m/s | 1.6 very high | 15.3h |
| August | Good | 10° - 21° | 16° | 105 mm | partly cloudy | 80% | 2.6 m/s | 1.3 high | 14.1h |
| September | Good | 7° - 17° | 12° | 97 mm | partly cloudy | 82% | 2.8 m/s | 0.9 moderate | 12.4h |
| October | Acceptable | 3° - 12° | 6° | 121 mm | partly cloudy | 88% | 3.0 m/s | 0.4 low | 10.7h |
| November | Poor | -1° - 7° | 0° | 136 mm | overcast | 92% | 3.5 m/s | 0.2 low | 9.2h |
| December | Poor | -3° - 4° | -4° | 152 mm | overcast | 95% | 3.9 m/s | 0.1 low | 8.3h |
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#
For Todtnau, travel by rail to Freiburg then switch to a regional bus, or arrive via EuroAirport and continue by rail/bus. For full flexibility in the Black Forest a rental car or bike is recommended.
- Train (to Freiburg) (€15-45 (long-distance to Freiburg)) - Take DB/Swiss/French long-distance trains to Freiburg Hauptbahnhof and then change to regional buses for Todtnau. Trains to Freiburg are frequent from major German and Swiss cities; onward bus connections are coordinated but check the timetable for seasonal changes.
- Regional bus (€5-15) - Regional bus services from Freiburg and surrounding towns run into Todtnau; these are the primary public-transport option for final-mile travel. Buses are reasonably frequent in daytime, less so in evenings and off-season.
- Taxi (€60-120 (Freiburg → Todtnau)) - Taxis provide direct transfers from Freiburg, Basel or nearby train stations and are convenient if you have gear or arrive outside bus hours. They are significantly more expensive than buses but faster and door-to-door.
- Car rental (€40-90/day) - Renting a car is the most practical way to explore the Black Forest from Todtnau - roads are scenic and well maintained, and a car makes it easy to visit dispersed attractions and mountain trailheads. Parking in Todtnau is available near trailheads and town centre.
- Bicycle / E-bike (€15-40/day) - In season, mountain-bike and e-bike rentals are popular for exploring forest trails and valley roads. Trails vary in difficulty; use local guides or maps for off-road routes.
- Walking - Todtnau is a gateway for hiking in the Black Forest; much of the town and immediate outdoor attractions are best reached on foot via well-marked trails.
Where to Stay in Todtnau#
Town centre / near Todtnauer Wasserfall - $35-70/night
Todtnau in the Black Forest has budget inns and guesthouses, many near hiking trails and ski lifts. Small-town availability.
Hotel Todtnau - Simple, family-run accommodation.
Near ski lifts / valley - $80-140/night
A number of comfortable hotels and family-run properties offering regional cuisine and easy trail access. Popular outdoors base.
Hotel Restaurant St. Georg - Comfortable rooms, traditional Black Forest meals.
Local mid-range hotels nearby - Good for outdoor activity access.
Nearby spa resorts / Feldberg area - $150+/night
Todtnau has few true luxury hotels; luxury seekers should target larger Black Forest spa resorts a short drive away.
Where to Eat in Todtnau#
Breakdown of cuisine types found across Todtnau’s restaurants and food venues, based on OpenStreetMap data.
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.
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.
