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Traverse of the Black Forest Cross Country Ski

Traverse of the Black Forest

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  • Discover stunning and remote mountain landscapes

  • 5-day point-to-point ski tour

  • 115 kilometres journey on prepared trails

  • Climb Feldberg - the highest peak in the Black Forest at 1493m

Why Choose Cloud 9 Adventure​

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  • Fully qualified and expert IML Guide/Nordic Ski Instructor

  • Carefully selected local hotels

  • Full luggage support

  • No ski pass needed

Traverse of the Black Forest: Dates and Prices

Very sadly, we have come to the conclusion that the Black Forest is not snow-sure enough for us to run group cross country ski trips. We have spent many years changing the route due to snow conditions, and so as a result we will now only offer this trip either on a private basis to those who are happy to take that risk, or to those who are happy to book with short notice when we know that the conditions are good.

 

Please send us a message if you would like a quote for your group. 

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Traverse of the Black Forest Cross Country Ski: Overview

AT A GLANCE

 

6 nights

5 days' skiing

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Luggage delivery

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Group size 4-8

 

Join: Triberg

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End: Schonau

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Nearest airports: Stuttgart, Strasbourg, Zurich, Basel

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ACCOMMODATION

6 nights in hotels/guest houses

 

 

DIFFICULTY GRADING

7

Challenging

The Traverse of the Black Forest takes us on a 115km ski journey across a cross country skier's paradise, on a 'Grand German Traverse' close to the borders of France and Switzerland. The extensive network of prepared ski trails covers the length and breadth of this vast area, which rises from 150 metres above sea level to over 1400 metres, in the high mountains to the south.  On our tour we will cross the upper forest on a 5-day trip from Schonach in the north, to Belchen in the south, skiing through forests and deep valleys, and enjoying traditional German hospitality along the way. 

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What to expect

On this trip we will stay in charming small hotels and guest houses on all 6 nights, and will enjoy traditional local food and hospitality. There is full luggage support, so we can travel light with just daypacks - our main bags will be waiting for us on arrival at our accommodation. 

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Each day we will aim to cover around 17-28 kilometres of trails, with a fair amount of ascents and descents, so participants need to be able to ski for several hours each day, at a reasonable pace. This trip is suitable for those with previous cross-country or Nordic skiing experience. If you have any questions at all about whether this trip is right for you, just ask.

 

Ski rental

Cross country skiing equipment can be hired in Schonach at the start of the trip, and we can arrange this for you. We will need fishscale classic skis (not skates or waxables), boots, bindings and poles - equipment will be roughly 135 Euros per person for the week. All equipment hire must be arranged in advance, as we will need to pre-order the correct sizes. 

Traverse of the Black Forest Cross Country Ski: Itinerary

 

Day 1 - Arrival in Triberg

We meet at the group hotel in or near the charming market town of Triberg. We will meet the guide, organise ski hire, and pick up any last-minute kit.

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

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Day 2 - Schonach to Brend

Our tour starts a short distance from Triberg, in the village of Schonach (875m). We'll have enough time to find our ski legs before the trail rises steadily through farmland and woodland, onto the plateau of Wittenbach at 1000 metres. We then descend into the valley of Schwarzenbach (940m), passing through dense forests then wide open spaces, we cross typical Nordic rolling terrain, enjoying some fun descents along the way. We pass the huge Olympic ski jump in the village of Shonwald then climb again to the delightful chapel at Martinskapelle. After a refreshment stop at the inn we can take a short diversion to visit the natural spring, which is one of the sources of the Danube. After a final short ascent we reach Brend (1149m), one of the highest peaks in the northern Black Forest. We spend the night here and on a clear day will have views right across to Feldberg, the Swiss Alps and the Vosges mountain range. 

 

Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: 20km

Altitude gain / loss: +865m / -600m

 

Day 3 - Brend to Waldau

Today starts with an easy downhill past the traditional farm houses with their large draping roofs, and continues on rolling terrain down to Neueck (980m). Rising as we enter the woods, we then reach Kalte Herberge (1020m) where we stop at the inn for lunch. After lunch we ski to the peaceful village of Waldau, where the first Black Forest cuckoo clock was made in 1664, and which will be our base for the night. 

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Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: 25km

Altitude gain / loss: +500m / -660m

 

Day 4 - Waldau to Hinterzarten

First we take a gentle track to the popular ski village of Thurner. After a break here we climb to our highest point of the day at Weisstannenhöhe (1190m) where we enjoy great views of the Feldberg summit (1493m). The descent back down through the pine forests is great fun, and gives way to vast open landscapes.  After a well-deserved break for coffee and strudel in a traditional inn we then make our way to our hotel in the charming village of Hinterzarten (880m), also known as the 'Pearl of the Black Forest'.

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Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: 25km

Altitude gain / loss: +685m / -760m

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Day 5 - Hinterzarten to Notschrei, via Feldberg 

We have an epic day ahead of us today as we aim for the Feldberg summit. We leave Hinterzarten (880m) and ascend gradually to Rinken (1195m). We wind our way through the woods before making the final climb to the summit of Feldberg, which is the highest point of the Black Forest. A short section in the woods will be with skis on our packs, but it is worth it - from our vantage point, at 1493 metres, we are rewarded with glorious 360-degree panoramic views. As we enjoy our picnic we have the Alps to the south, and the Jura and the Vosges in France to the north. Our descent takes us to the Todtnauer Hütte (1321m) where we can stop for a celebratory hot chocolate and maybe even some more strudel! We continue down through the forests towards Notschrei at 1120 metres, where we will take the public bus to our accommodation in the charming village of Todtnauberg. 

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Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: 28km

Altitude gain / loss: +1000m / -820m

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Day 6 - Notschrei to Belchen

Today is the last day of our Black Forest Traverse and will feel much easier than yesterday. First we transfer back to rejoin the trail at Notschrei which then rolls on gently for 9km, as far as Wiedener Eck (1034m), where we can stop for a break. We have another short ascent to the popular ski destination of Hohtannhutte, then on to the small ski resort of Belchen where our journey comes to an end. We take a short bus trip to Schonau, where we can enjoy a final meal together and toast our epic trip. 

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Accommodation: Hotel, dinner included

Luggage access

Distance: 17km

Altitude gain / loss: +640m / -780m

 

Day 7 - Departure Day

Our trip finishes after breakfast. 

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Included

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  • 6 nights' accommodation on twin-share basis

  • Breakfasts and evening meals

  • All transport in the itinerary

  • Fully qualified & experienced IML guide who is also a Nordic ski instructor

  • Luggage access

Not Included

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  • Lunches

  • Equipment hire

  • Flights

  • Airport transfers

  • Travel insurance

  • Personal drinks & snacks

  • Tips

Traverse of the Black Forest Cross Country Ski: Book Online

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