Rickenbach: Hotzenpfad Premiumwanderweg

The Hotzenpfad - the interplay of cultural and historical sites and wild, romantic nature could not be more harmonious. Ditches, forest, meadows and far-reaching views. Who says you have to choose just one thing on a tour? The new premium hiking trail offers many sights, views and extraordinary places to take a breather along the way.

From the mighty Solfelsen rock, the Hotzenpfad leads along stalking trails through the steep mountain flank of the Hotzenwald to the Wallmauer and Klingenfelsen rock before reaching sunny fields with Alpine views above Hütten. After the intermediate descent to the historic Heidenwuhr, there are some wonderful vantage points and rest areas to take a break.

At the Wanderparkplatz Solfelsenweg, on the L155 between Wehr and Bergalingen, we head south and walk first along the asphalt road, then straight on past the large transmitter on a gravel and meadow path before reaching the Hochrhein-Höhenweg at the end. We follow the white-blue diamond on a yellow background to the right, where the path, which soon becomes narrower, dips into the forest. The surroundings are almost fairytale-like: rocks covered in moss, the winding mountain path, the tranquillity of the forest - the Genießerpfad already lives up to its name here. Shortly afterwards, the mighty Solfelsen appears in front of us. It is the largest of an abundance of wool-sack-weathered granite boulders. Tables and benches invite you to take a breather.

The path then descends to the Spatzenhof, with its panoramic views over the Hochrhein and to the Gückelfels junction, where we say goodbye to the Hochrhein-Höhenweg and follow the blue diamond to the right to the Kreiselbach junction ascend. Now turn left and cross the country road, then take the Pirschweg trail, which is mostly a narrow and attractive path through the steep mountain flank to the Wallmauer. An information board explains the history of the former fortifications. Interrupted by occasional viewpoints, we continue on a mostly gentle ascent through the forest to the Klingenfelsen, which is located a few meters to the left below the stalking trail. The bench offers a deep view of the town of Wehr and the gentle hilltops of the Dinkelberg. The stalking trail continues along the narrow path before turning sharp right at its northern end.

At this point, we leave the blue diamond and walk briefly through the forest until we reach the open spaces of the Heuberg. A few minutes later, the Fliegerklause invites you to take a break. During the break, we can watch the hustle and bustle at the Hütten glider airfield or simply enjoy the fantastic Alpine view. After the break, we head east towards the K6538 and continue straight ahead on the small asphalt road, slightly offset to the left, past two residential buildings, then on the meadow path almost flat over to the edge of the forest and along it until we quickly come across the yellow diamond, which leads us down to the left to a gravel path at a crossroads. Now turn right to the Glashütten junction and, after crossing the district road again, descend a few steps to the Heidenwuhr. The water here is taken from the Seelbach stream by means of a trap and fed into the Wuhre. The water ripples down the valley at a barely perceptible gradient. We follow the artificial slope channel for 800 meters and then ascend to the right, keep right again a little later at a transformer house and, with a few changes of direction in a mix of forest and open fields, reach the Panorama Platz near Bergalingen.

Now take a short left on the district road, then follow the signs to the sports field on the right and turn left through a small wooded area to the water reservoir. After another panoramic passage to the west of Bergalingen, the route takes you through a valley depression, again with a few changes of direction, and then climbs uphill to Dekalog Platz. The lovingly maintained area with its magnificent views is ideal for a final break on our tour through the Hotzenwald. Head south through meadows back to the L155 and turn right parallel to the road to the starting point at the Solfelsenweg car park.

Tip: Alternatively, the tour can also be started from the hiking parking lot at the glider airfield in Hütten.</p