15 Km Hike Through the Colors of Autumn in Black Forest's Ravennaschlucht, Germany

Hello friends. I’d like to share an amazing journey to Ravennaschlucht, a picturesque spot in the Black Forest (Schwarzwald) of Germany. It was an adventure full of hiking: a 15-kilometer trek awaited us. The weather was sunny at 18 degrees, with a clear blue sky and barely any clouds.

Regular trains and buses run between cities here, but we chose to walk. Our destination Ravennaschlucht, is a charming little valley near Lake Titisee, surrounded by mountains and attracting tourists with its beauty. It was one of those final beautiful days of autumn, with trees bursting in vibrant colors and mild weather.

A river flowed below us leading us to our destination and the area was dotted with quaint old houses, well-maintained with neat lawns. We saw streams cascading from the mountains and houses decorated with antique farming tools, a unique and fascinating sight.

In these Black Forest mountains people live along the river in such homes. One building, which we guessed might be a sawmill, was especially interesting. In Germany sawmills like these are common, with water diverted directly to the house to power a waterwheel that keeps the mechanism running, allowing it to function as a sawmill.

The sawmill’s setup was intriguing. Logs were secured in place with a gap for adjusting the cutting thickness. Gears moved the logs towards the blade, which would cut them up and down. The structure had a date 1828, likely the year it was built and it appeared to be refurbished in 1982. An open-air museum demonstrated how trees were cut in older times.

The sawmill produced around 3 cubic meters per day, with workers on shift to keep it going day and night if the water flow was strong.

Along the way we spotted logs covered in mushrooms. so many that they went unnoticed, as if part of the natural landscape.

On our descent, footing was challenging as the path was steep and rocky, surrounded by moist roots and slippery terrain.Walking along the river below, we passed some beautiful spots. I wish I could share that fresh air with you! There was also a waterfall. Its sound was mesmerizing, making us pause and take it all in.

As we neared our destination, we spotted an arched bridge. Passing through a small tunnel, the echoes delighted us. Autumn’s colors were everywhere: shades of brown, yellow and green filled the scenery. We decided to climb up for a view from the hilltop with the bridge.

This place is very impressive. There’s a clock tower and at precisely 2:00 pm, the figures begin to dance. There are beautifully adorned flower beds everywhere and on one side, a shop with glass artisans at work. Across the way is a souvenir shop filled with cuckoo clocks and handmade crafts.

The clocks are lovely, some even on sale. Giant clocks rest on the floor, stunning to look at, with designs ranging from classic cuckoo clocks to those with white gold finishes, these artisans certainly know their craft.

We spotted many beer mugs with old-style musician figures and Christmas decorations. Small windmills hold candles, which when lit, create a carousel. There were holiday-themed figures, nutcrackers and miniature furniture pieces perfect for collectors.

The tourists eagerly awaited the clock to strike and right on time, the dancing figures appeared. There were also informational displays about the local history, traditional attire, old bicycles and the story of a once-collapsed bridge’s reconstruction. This historic path, once traversed by postal carriages, is now a scenic route for visitors. Decorated with wooden flowers and paintings, the hotel dates back to 1770 and showcases its rich history.

Just a bit further along, we came across a building called the "Customs House" Built in the Middle Ages to collect road tolls from passing caravans, this place was restored in the 1980s, preserving its old-world charm. Today you can reserve it for a traditional evening by a cozy stove, perfect for a quiet, romantic night.

A river flows nearby, with a large railway bridge and a close-by hotel where rooms are available. As we walked on we saw a train crossing the bridge. This bridge had an original version from 1885, whose iron supports are still visible, while the modern structure we see today was built in 1926-27. During WWII, three pillars were destroyed, but it was reconstructed between 1947-48. Preparations were already underway for Christmas markets here, with a huge bonfire and seasonal decorations coming soon.

The bridge stretches 224 meters long and stands 36 meters high. As we climbed a small hill, we were greeted by a spectacular view of the town and bridge amidst the fresh air, surrounded by beautiful birch trees and lush scenery.

We then reached a series of 16 small waterfalls, one with a 6-meter drop. Walking through the forest on a warm day is refreshing and though mushrooms were abundant, we chose to simply enjoy the view this time.

Further along we reached a charming bridge over a stream filled with waterfalls. The water flows between rocks in a mesmerizing way. Standing on the bridge, we heard the sounds of nature as trees clung tightly to the rocks with roots deeply embedded.

They say the water here is cold, but this would be a perfect spot to cool off in the summer. The trail winds between tall mountains and green trees, with a waterfall view at every turn and trees growing from rocky cliffs.

In some parts we had to duck under rock ledges to pass, it was like being on a stage set, perfect for a Shakespeare play. This path truly is breathtaking and photos only capture a fraction of its beauty. To fully appreciate it, you have to be here.

As we approached we felt the rush of water more intensely. The stream started calmly, then quickened as it cascaded down. We came upon an old hut, which turned out to be a mill dating back to 1883. Water flows through a channel, turning the wheel to produce flour. We moved on to another waterfall, soaking in every bit of nature’s splendor.

On our way back, we stumbled upon mushrooms that looked amazing, so we decided to gather some to bring home. Our riverside walk had turned into a mushroom-picking adventure.

Every corner here felt like a scene from a fairy tale, even the houses looked as if they were drawn from old stories.

As the sun set, cows headed back to their barns and we began our journey back to the car. It was another beautiful day in nature, enjoying the river and forests. I hope you enjoyed sharing these moments with us and until our next adventure, see you.