Nature Reserve Guide
Kostgefäll is a nature reserve situated within the Southern Black Forest, characterized by its diverse and dramatic topography. The landscape features deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and expansive Black Forest highland areas, providing varied terrain for outdoor pursuits. This region offers opportunities for several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and more, making it a destination for exploring the natural environment. The area's elevation changes and natural features contribute to a range of experiences for different activity levels.
156
Routes
4.6
(1854)
Average rating
8445
People visited

4.8
(746)
2,506
hikers
8.80km
02:47
370m
370m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(36)
162
hikers
10.2km
03:43
550m
530m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

4.6
(105)
450
hikers
10.4km
03:20
440m
440m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(94)
437
hikers
5.97km
01:37
80m
90m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(30)
103
riders
48.1km
04:44
1,390m
1,390m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(38)
154
riders
17.3km
01:19
280m
280m
Easy mountain bike ride. Great for any fitness level. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(17)
58
riders
21.6km
02:07
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.7
(6)
34
riders
22.2km
02:32
890m
890m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.6
(18)
216
riders
47.7km
02:26
730m
730m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.1
(8)
176
riders
47.7km
02:10
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.1
(16)
265
riders
51.2km
02:12
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
70
riders
121km
06:27
2,020m
2,020m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.
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4.2
(5)
64
runners
11.8km
01:17
150m
150m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
47
runners
19.5km
02:07
240m
240m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
33
runners
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
26
runners
14.5km
01:33
160m
160m
Moderate run. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(2)
24
riders
10.8km
00:53
250m
250m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(3)
25
riders
29.7km
02:56
940m
940m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

9
riders
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

5.0
(1)
12
riders
11.5km
00:47
160m
160m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.0
(2)
11
riders
51.2km
03:24
1,000m
1,000m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
25.2km
01:47
470m
470m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.0
(1)
8
riders
37.4km
02:41
690m
690m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

10
riders
47.9km
03:19
1,020m
1,020m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
5
hikers
21.9km
07:35
1,010m
1,010m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
6.84km
02:18
220m
210m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2
hikers
7.80km
02:09
130m
130m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
4.95km
02:16
360m
360m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.
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Kostgefäll offers a variety of outdoor activities including Hiking, Mountain biking, Road cycling, Jogging, Touring cycling, Gravel biking, and Mountaineering. The reserve features 112 routes with an average rating of 4.6 stars from more than 6,000 visitors.
Popular hiking trails include the Genießerpfad U(h)rwaldpfad Rohrhardsberg, a moderate 5.4 mile (8.8 km) route. For a more challenging experience, the Elz Waterfalls – Schwedenschanze Inn loop covers 10.8 miles (17.5 km). More options are available in the Hiking in Kostgefäll guide.
Yes, Kostgefäll offers easy hiking trails suitable for beginners. An example is the Elz Waterfalls – Bridge over the Elz loop from Ochsenhof, which is 2.8 miles (4.5 km) long. Further easy routes can be found in the Easy hikes in Kostgefäll guide.
Mountain biking enthusiasts can find routes like the challenging Kandel Tour, which is 29.9 miles (48.1 km) long. A moderate option is the View of Simonswald – Hörnleberg Chapel loop, spanning 13.2 miles (21.2 km). Explore more routes in the MTB Trails in Kostgefäll guide.
Road cyclists can explore routes such as the Hoher Geisberg – Heidburg Pass crossing loop, a moderate 29.6 mile (47.7 km) ride. The Wildgutach Valley – Eduardshöhe loop offers a difficult 74.7 mile (120.3 km) challenge. Additional options are detailed in the Road Cycling Routes in Kostgefäll guide.
Kostgefäll features deep gorges, cascading waterfalls, and expansive Black Forest highland landscapes. Notable points include the Hörnleberg, a pilgrimage site with views of the Rhine Valley, and the romantically wild Haslach valley with its waterfalls. The Rohardsberg nature reserve also offers characteristic Black Forest scenery.
Yes, Kostgefäll provides numerous forest and hiking trails suitable for jogging. A moderate option is the Schwedenschanze Inn loop, which is 7.4 miles (11.8 km) long. More jogging routes are available in the Running Trails in Kostgefäll guide.
Kostgefäll is a popular destination on komoot, with more than 6,000 visitors having shared their experiences. The routes in the reserve have an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars from over 1,200 ratings.
Komoot offers several guides for Kostgefäll, including Waterfall hikes in Kostgefäll, MTB Trails in Kostgefäll, and Hiking in Kostgefäll. There are also guides for road cycling, running, and gravel biking.
Kostgefäll offers trails suitable for various fitness levels, including easier routes that can be enjoyed by families. The diverse landscape provides opportunities for outdoor experiences for different age groups. Consider exploring the Easy hikes in Kostgefäll guide for suitable options.
Dogs are generally permitted on trails within the Kostgefäll nature reserve, provided they are kept on a leash. This ensures the safety of wildlife and other visitors while exploring the natural environment.
The Kostgefäll nature reserve is accessible throughout the year, with each season offering a different experience. Spring to fall generally provides favorable conditions for hiking and cycling. Winter can offer opportunities for snow-related activities on suitable trails.
Accommodation options are available in the towns and villages surrounding the Kostgefäll nature reserve, such as Simonswald and Elzach. These areas provide various lodging choices for visitors to the Southern Black Forest region.

