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.
Exploring the Kostgefäll nature reserve offers a variety of outdoor activities across more than 100 routes. These routes cater to several sports like hiking, mountain biking, road cycling, jogging, and more, with more than 6,000 visitors having shared their experiences, resulting in an average rating of 4.6 out of 5 stars. Hikers can find trails ranging from gentle paths to challenging sections with rocks and gorges, including routes that highlight the region's waterfalls, as detailed in the Waterfall hikes in Kostgefäll guide. Mountain biking routes often feature tough climbs to higher elevations followed by technically demanding descents, while road cyclists can navigate varied terrain with both asphalt and gravel paths. For those seeking a run, the numerous forest trails provide excellent options, with specific routes available in the Running Trails in Kostgefäll guide. Further options for exploring the area's trails are available in the Hiking in Kostgefäll guide.
177
Routes
4.5
(2125)
Average rating
8992
People visited

4.8
(798)
2,475
hikers
8.80km
02:47
370m
370m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(119)
454
hikers
10.7km
03:21
430m
430m
Moderate hike. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(45)
164
hikers
10.2km
03:43
550m
530m
Hard hike. Good fitness required. Sure-footedness, sturdy shoes and alpine experience required.

1
hikers
520m
00:09
40m
Easy hike. Great for any fitness level. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.7
(33)
114
riders
48.1km
04:44
1,390m
1,390m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.6
(19)
58
riders
22.1km
02:07
680m
680m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(8)
37
riders
21.4km
02:32
930m
930m
Hard mountain bike ride. Very good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.

3.7
(9)
40
riders
20.6km
02:00
660m
660m
Moderate mountain bike ride. Good fitness required. Suitable for all skill levels.
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85.7km
09:08
2,310m
2,310m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

4.0
(5)
12
riders
51.3km
03:25
990m
990m
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

11
riders
Hard gravel ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.8
(4)
7
riders
20.4km
01:22
360m
360m
Moderate gravel ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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4.5
(23)
230
riders
47.5km
02:23
710m
710m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

4.1
(20)
297
riders
51.2km
02:12
280m
280m
Moderate road ride. Good fitness required. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy to ride.

5.0
(2)
74
riders
121km
06:52
2,240m
2,240m
Hard road ride. Very good fitness required. Some segments of this route may be unpaved and difficult to ride.

4.0
(3)
114
riders
28.0km
01:22
170m
170m
Easy road ride. Great for any fitness level. Mostly well-paved surfaces and easy 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.

46
runners
17.7km
01:56
240m
240m
Hard run. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(4)
38
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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4.0
(1)
23
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.

4.3
(6)
23
riders
44.9km
03:38
970m
970m
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

3.0
(3)
24
riders
Hard bike ride. Very good fitness required. You may need to push your bike for some segments of this route.

5.0
(2)
22
riders
10.4km
00:52
250m
250m
Moderate bike ride. Good fitness required. Mostly paved surfaces. Suitable for all skill levels.
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5.0
(1)
5
hikers
22.0km
07:36
1,020m
1,020m
Hard mountaineering route. Very good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

5.0
(1)
2
hikers
6.97km
02:25
230m
240m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Mostly accessible paths. Sure-footedness required.

2
hikers
7.79km
02:09
130m
130m
Moderate mountaineering route. Good fitness required. Easily-accessible paths. Suitable for all skill levels.

1
hikers
5.02km
02:18
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.

