Welcome to the Merkur Funicular Railway trailhead
Welcome to Baden-Baden’s Municipal Recreational Forest and the North/Central Black Forest Area of Outstanding Beauty ("Naturpark Schwarzwald Mitte/Nord").
The forested slopes of Merkur Mountain offer visitors a variety of attractive hiking trails, most of which follow well-maintained, easy-to-walk paths. Here, recreation and education go hand in hand.
A great starting point is the nearby wildlife enclosures, where you can observe native wild animals in their near-natural habitats. If you visit in the early evening during autumn, you might be lucky enough to witness the rut, with stags battling during mating season. Interpretation boards provide detailed information about the animals. The 'Wildgehege-Rundweg' circular walk around the wildlife enclosures takes you to all the key observation and feeding points and is also suitable for children.
Next, head to the summit of Merkur, which you can reach on foot or by funicular railway. On your descent, consider taking a detour to the Wolfsschlucht, a small ravine, and be sure to visit Teufelskanzel ("Devil's Pulpit") on the way. According to legend, it was here that the devil argued with an angel, whose pulpit, Engelskanzel, is directly opposite on the other side of the road, marked with a cross. Today, Teufelskanzel offers stunning views of Baden-Baden’s old town and its striking collegiate church. The rocky landscape around Engelskanzel and Teufelskanzel provides a preview of the more extensive Battert rocks to the west, both formations being composed of the same rotliegend sandstone.
For those interested in Baden-Baden’s geological history, a visit to "Merkur’s Cubes" ("Merkurs Würfel") on the summit plateau is recommended. Along this path, you can see displays of the different types of rock found in and around Baden-Baden, offering insight into the region’s eventful geological past.
Suggested routes from Merkur Funicular Railway
"Wildgehege-Rundweg", circular walk to wildlife enclosures: 4.6 km, total ascent 160 m: Merkurbergbahn (lower terminal funicular railway) – Rotwildgehege (red deer enclosure) – Schwarwildgehege (wild boar enclosure) – Dammwildgehege (fallow deer enclosure) – Eckhöfe (farmsteads) – Rotwildgehege (red deer enclosure) - Merkurbergbahn (lower terminal funicular railway).
Circular route via Merkur summit: 8.5 km, total ascent 430 m: Merkurbergbahn (lower terminal funicular railway) – Meisenköpfle – Merkur summit – Teufelskanzel (rock outcrop) – Meisenköpfle – Langengehren (allotments) - Merkurbergbahn (lower terminal funicular railway). If you don’t park at the funicular railway lower terminal, you can continue your walk via Wolfsschlucht (small ravine) to Battert rocks and then descend to Baden-Baden.
"Panoramaweg" – Panorama Trail: The "Panoramaweg" is a 40km-long circular trail around the town of Baden-Baden. It comprises four sections which, depending on fitness levels, can be walked individually or combined.
From the funicular railway lower terminal you can follow the Panoramaweg (Panorama Trail) to Wolfsschlucht (small ravine), Teufelskanzel (rock outcrop) and Battert rocks, continuing to the viewing point at Sophienruhe and then descending to the spa town of Baden-Baden. In the other direction the route takes you via the Eckhöfe farmsteads and through the meadow orchards around Oberbeuern to the Forellenhof restaurant and hotel. On the way you will pass through the Märzenbach and Pfrimmersbach valleys, both of which are within a nature conservation area.
Recreation for All in Baden-Baden’s Municipal Forest
Covering an area of 7,500 hectares, Baden-Baden’s municipal forest is one of Germany’s largest publicly-owned forests, primarily serving as a place of recreation for all visitors. Ensuring that you have an enjoyable experience while preserving the forest for future generations can only be achieved if we all respect one another's needs and care for the plants and animals that call this forest home.
We kindly ask that you stay on the designated paths and keep your dogs on a lead. Mountain bikers are requested to use only tracks that are at least two meters wide or the specially designated mountain-bike trails. Please ride with care.
As you take home wonderful memories, please also take your rubbish with you.
The Baden-Baden municipal council wishes you a pleasant and memorable visit.