Wutachschlucht Gorge Trail

The Wutachschlucht Gorge Trail follows the Wutach river for 12.5 km one way through one of Germany's deepest and wildest gorges, between Bonndorf and Lenzkirch in the southern Black Forest. The trailhead is at the Schattenmühle car park on the L172, reachable by car; there is no direct rail link, with the nearest station at Bonndorf requiring an onward taxi. The route gains about 250 m cumulatively across its length, a moderate profile in terms of climbing, but the technical difficulty comes from the narrow, uneven riverside path, wooden footbridges, and occasional rocky steps within the protected nature reserve. The surface shifts between packed dirt, exposed tree roots, and damp rock near the river crossings, and the gorge's steep flanks keep much of the route shaded even on hot days. Landmarks along the way include the Wutachmühle, a restored historic watermill roughly midway, which makes a practical rest stop and turnaround point for a shorter half-day outing. The gorge's microclimate supports rare orchid and fern species visible from the path. There are no staffed refuge huts within the gorge itself, and hikers should carry sufficient water, as the river water is not treated for drinking; the Wutachmühle occasionally offers refreshments in season. Because the trail crosses several low wooden footbridges over the Wutach, sections are prone to closure after heavy rain when water levels rise, and the Naturschutzgebiet Wutachschlucht authority posts current conditions at the trailhead.