Autumn hiking in the Wutach Gorge: Red, yellow, orange... and you're right in the middle!

Spoiler alert: the Wutach Gorge is stunning in the fall. Could this be something for you in autumn 2024?

Today, we want to share with you a breathtaking autumn adventure in the enchanting Wutach Gorge and the nearby Lotenbach Gorge. Last year, we debated whether we should visit the gorge so late in the year, and hold on to your hats: it was amazing!

The Wutach Gorge, also known as the 'Grand Canyon of the Black Forest', is a hidden gem in the Black Forest. We can hardly put into words how beautiful it is here in autumn!

Along the way, there are always impressive viewpoints from which you can admire the rugged rock formations and the deep ravines. At one of these points, we took a break and enjoyed our packed sandwiches (please do not leave waste in the gorges!), while the magnificent view took our breath away. It felt like we were in another world.

The Wutach and its tributaries shape a stunningly primal landscape, marked by picturesque gorges and primeval forests. This is an unforgettable experience for any hiking enthusiast. Year after year, the Wutach Gorge in the High Black Forest attracts thousands of tourists, mainly in the summer, for a refreshing escape. This unique nature reserve, a carefully preserved valley of a wild river, cannot simply be crossed by car, but requires a hike with a backpack, supplies, rain jackets, and good hiking shoes.

The source streams of the Wutach, also known as the 'angry Ach', arise on the eastern slope of the Feldberg. This river carries three different names before it flows into the High Rhine at Waldshut. From Feldsee to Titisee, it meanders gently through the valley of the Bear Valley as 'Seebach'. As 'Gutach' (good Ach), it leaves Titisee, and east of Neustadt, it becomes the 'Wutach' (angry Ach), a now roaring river. From this point on, the region becomes botanically and geologically highly interesting. The Wutach has carved deep into the Keuper layers and continually alters the riverbed and the valley, especially in spring. (Amateur) geologists will find the eastward sloping layers a fascinating glimpse into earth history, with prominent karst formations, doline formations, and numerous fossils such as ammonites and belemnites from the Lias period.

The Wutach Gorge is also a true paradise for (amateur) botanists, as around 1,200 of the 2,500 plant species found in Central Europe are represented here. This includes rarities such as Hart's tongue fern, rock carnations, Turk's cap lilies, moon violets, silver leaves, and in autumn, the silver dollar. Also remarkable is the fact that over 500 butterfly species, including the rare Apollo butterfly, can be found in the gorge. As nature lovers, we are also thrilled by the over one hundred bird species, including the wasp buzzard, the common merganser, and the colorful kingfisher.

The ideal way to explore the Wutach is by a two-day hike from west to east. Recommended starting points are the Gutach Bridge near Kappel, east of Neustadt, the Schattenmühle (with information center and forest hiking parking) in Löffingen-Göschweiler, Dietfurt (hiking parking at Löffingen-Reiselfingen), or the hiking parking lot at Löffingen-Bachheim.

The Wutach Gorge can be traversed in nearly every season, but early summer and autumn are particularly recommended. Autumn captivates with its colorful foliage when the bushes and deciduous trees wear their magnificent robes. This season is not only more weather-resistant but also climatically more pleasant. The subtropical warmth gives way to comfortable hiking conditions.

The Wutach Gorge is undoubtedly a place to visit in autumn, and we highly recommend it to you. The combination of bright colors, wild nature, and the wild yet soothing sound of the river makes it a perfect destination for nature and hiking enthusiasts.

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