Westweg: Kandel to Hinterzarten

This 19 km stretch of the Westweg, Germany's oldest waymarked long-distance trail, runs through the southern Black Forest from the Kandelhütte car park near Gutach im Breisgau to the spa village of Hinterzarten. The trailhead is reached by car via the B294 and L128, with free parking at the Kandelhütte lot; the return leg is served by RVF regional bus route 7216 from Hinterzarten. The route gains roughly 450 m over its length, climbing first to the open Kandel summit plateau before dropping through dense spruce and beech forest toward Hinterzarten, an out-and-back elevation profile that suits fit day hikers rather than beginners. Underfoot the trail alternates between packed forest track, root-crossed dirt paths, and short rocky sections near the Kandel summit; exposure is limited to the open summit area, while the majority of the route runs beneath dense forest canopy offering good shade even in summer heat. Waymarking follows the traditional red-and-white Schwarzwaldverein diamond symbol used since 1900, making navigation straightforward. The Kandel summit viewpoint, roughly 5 km in, is the standout landmark and a natural turn-around point for hikers wanting a shorter outing, with views over the Rhine valley toward the Vosges mountains on clear days. Beyond the summit the trail descends steadily through managed forest with occasional clearings before reaching Hinterzarten. There are no staffed refuge huts directly on this stretch, though the Kandelhütte itself operates seasonally near the trailhead serving food and drink; hikers should carry their own water and supplies for the full traverse, as reliable sources are not marked along the forested descent.