Hornisgrinde Region

Hornisgrinde
With an altitude of 1,164 m, the Hornisgrinde is the highest mountain in the
Northern Black Forest.
The name probably stems from the Latin mons grinto, which translates as
“swampy mountain”, referring to the high moor on the summit. Another explanation for the name is that it is derived from a combination of the German words Horn, miss and grind and thus means a “bare mountain ridge
with a high moor”.
The “Grinden” are treeless wet heathlands situated on a flat upland. They
appeared after the clearing of the forest and the subsequent use of the area
as pastureland beginning in the 15th century. The high moor in the southern
part of the summit plateau is up to six metres deep in some places and naturally unwooded. This is due to the nature of the moor’s soil, which is very
acidic and therefore unsuitable for tree growth. Scientific studies estimate
that the steadily expanding moor is over 6,000 years old. In 1992, parts of
the high moor plateau and of the Biberkessel cirque wall were declared a
nature reserve: the Hornisgrinde-Biberkessel reserve covers 95 hectares.
As in the past, animals once again graze on the wet heaths.
Hornisgrinde Lookout Tower
The
Hornisgrinde
Region
Originally 23.5 meters high (without the belvedere), the Hornisgrinde tower was built at the initiative of the Black Forest Association of Achern and
Baden. The material used was the local red sandstone. The tower and the
nearby Mummelsee lake were two of the region’s most popular excursion
destinations until World War II. In 1942, the German air force requisitioned
the tower. After the war, the French army used the building as a strategic radar and observation station within a 30-hectare (approximately 74 acres)
restricted area protected by several enclosures. In 2000, the Seebach Forest Cooperative acquired the tower and part of the grounds from the Federal
government and transferred them to the commune of Seebach with a hereditary lease. Following its successful restoration, the tower, now 32.5 meters
high, was again opened to the public on May 29, 2005.
Today, the Hornisgrinde tower and the
Mummelsee are once more among the most
popular sights in the region.
Opening hours and Accessibility
Open daily during school holidays (BadenWürttemberg); otherwise on Saturdays,
Sundays and public holidays (subject to
favourable weather conditions and good
visibility).
Winter: November 1 – April 30 from 11 am to 4 pm
Summer: May 1 – October 31 from 10.30 am
to 5 pm
Information and
Suggestions for Excursions
A special service is the “Freizeitbus” (“holiday bus“) that runs every Saturday, Sunday and public holiday between May and October from Ottenhöfen/Seebach to Hornisgrinde. Passengers can also get on at the Mummelsee. Detailed information and bus schedule are available from the
Tourist Information in Seebach.
Bismarck Tower
At the highest level of the mountain, in the middle of a plateau, stands a
7-metre high signal tower, built around 1840. In 1892, the wooden ladder
was replaced by a staircase made of iron, and the tower served as lookout
tower until World War II. It remained off limits during the long military occupation of the mountain summit. In 2000, the Bismarck tower was renovated.
It is now accessible again thanks to an outer spiral staircase made of steel.
Dreifürstenstein
The Dreifürstenstein is a red sandstone slab situated at the southeast
edge of the summit plateau. As of 1722, it marked the boundary between
the margraviate of Baden, the duchy of Württemberg and the diocese of
Strasbourg. Today, the slab is the boundary stone between Sasbach and
Seebach in Baden and Baiersbronn in Württemberg. With an altitude of
1.151 metres above sea level, the Dreifürstenstein is the highest point in
Württemberg.
Tourism and Military History
The Hornisgrinde remained a restricted military zone until 1999. After the French armed
forces moved out, the impressive outlook tower
was again opened to the
public in 2005. However, there are still traces
of military occupation on
the Hornisgrinde today.
At certain times of the year, it is possible to visit the French commando
bunker near the outlook tower. Interesting guided tours are also available. The paths to the Bismarck tower are well laid out and easy to walk.
One can still see vestiges of the Hornisgrinde anti-aircraft station built in
1939: it was following its construction that the summit became a restricted area. The wooden path leads to the Dreifürstenstein, which is near the
former site of the “Hermes” fighter control centre. The area is still off
limits today. The hangar dates from the time when gliders took off from
the Hornisgrinde. Information about opening hours and guided tours are
available from the Tourist Information in Seebach.
Information Tourist-Information Seebach
Open all year round for groups: advance reservation required through the
Tourist Information in Seebach
Ruhesteinstraße 21 • D- 77889 Seebach
Tel: 0049 (0) 7842 / 9483-20 • Fax: 0049 (0) 7842 / 9483-99
tourist-info@seebach.de • www.seebach.de
There is an entrance fee to visit the tower. There are no discounts for children.
Design: map.solutions GmbH • Photos: Seebach • © Naturpark 2011
Translation: S.R. Planeix-Graf
1060
5
297 m
6
1164 m
Altitude
7
7,5
M
um
m
els
ee
KM
1
5 km
903 m
Highest point
Distance
Lowest point
Berghotel Mummelsee – Katzenkopf – Wachgebäude – Segelflughalle – Dreifürstenstein –
Bismarckturm – Windpark – Richtung Horngasse – Berghotel Mummelsee
900
1040
4
2
136 m
4
1164 m
Altitude
M
um
m
els
ee
Tr
af
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ta
tio
n
3
1000 m
800 m
600 m
5
1036 m
Highest point
Lowest point
Berghotel Mummelsee – Trafostation – Wachgebäude – Segelflughalle – Dreifürstenstein – Bismarckturm – Rundweg – Hornisgrindeturm – Berghotel Mummelsee
1080
960
1160
0
960
The Black Forest Nature Park Central/North is Germany’s largest nature park and a paradise for all
those who are seeking an active and eco-friendly
Black Forest experience.
The objective of the Nature Park is to preserve
the beautiful and pristine landscape of the
Black Forest. At the same time, the park is
pursuing the sustainable development of
the region and promoting projects that
create a balance between nature protection and recreation.
Visit our website for information about
other destinations
www.naturparkschwarzwald.de
KM
www.alpirsbacher.de
1
5.2 km
Distance
2
208 m
Altitude
3
1164 m
Highest point
4
5
800 m
600 m
965 m
Lowest point
www.aok-bw.de
KM
1
6.3 km
Distance
2
268 m
Altitude
3
Ho
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K
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O
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1000 m
Berghotel Mummelsee – Katzenkopf – Wachgebäude – Segelflughalle – Hornisgrindeturm – Rundweg – Bismarckturm – Dreifürstenstein – Seibelseckle – Mummelseewald
– Mummelseekapelle – Berghotel Mummelsee
This project is sponsored by the Black
Forest Nature Park Central/North
with funds from the Land BadenWürttemberg, the Glückspirale lottery
and the European Union (FEADER).
www.duravit.de
Ulisbrunnen
1200 m
Easy
Ho
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840
956 m
920
Lenderswald
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Mummelsee
Seibelseckle
900
Circular tour to
the Ochsenstall lodge
W
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1025 m
Mummelsee
Elsaweg
Summit tour onnarrow paths
Moderately difficult
M
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Mummelseekapelle
1123 m Berghotel
Se
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Mummelseewald
Bi
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Dr
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978 m
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92
940
Mummelsee
Dreifürstenstein
Dreifürstenstein
0
Wachgebäude
102
Hornisgrinde K i e n e c k
1154 m
M
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11
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1020
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Hornisgrindeturm
Hornisgrindeturm
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Segelflughalle
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Katzenkopf
0
Brettelhupfer- 1091 m
hütte
1050 m
Rundweg
Obergrind
98
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3
800 m
600 m
1200 m
1060
kessel
Bismarckturm
1164 m
We are partners and
sponsors of the
Nature Park.
1000 m
972 m
1020
Hornisgrinde B i b e r Bismarckturm
980
1200 m
880
1080
1120
NSG
908 m
2
Distance
B i berac h
Blindsee
Windpark
960
Sch
war
zw
Fernmeldeturm
1
7.5 km
Schnitzlerhütte
Bruchsaler
Hütte
Steinweg
900
Brandkopf
1000
1018 m
1138 m
KM
Easy
Summit tour on the Grindenpfad
Dr
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Bi
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Zimmerplatzkopf
898 m
Tullahütte
Wimmerhütte
Ski- und
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Easy
Tr
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ta
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Ochsenstall
0
106
1080 m
Ochsenstall
B500
M
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m
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98
100
0
960
0
Hundsrücken
Großes
Muhr
Kaltenbrunnen
Circular tour
Mummelsee-Hornisgrinde
M
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m
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0
10
4
920
1020
840
96
0
500 m
Ho
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Kleines
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Skihütte Lauf
Horngasse
900
Kleines Muhr
4
1164 m
Highest point
5
1200 m
1000 m
6 6,3
800 m
600 m
903 m
Lowest point
Hornisgrindeturm – Rundweg – Bismarckturm – Windpark – Ochsenstall – Kleines
Muhr – Horngasse – Windpark – Bismarckturm – Rundweg – Hornisgrindeturm