Schauinsland in Photos

Freiburg is in the Black Forest, which is a mountainous area as well as a forested one. One of the highest points in our area is called Schauinsland, where you can take a ride on the longest loop cable car in Germany. The cable car takes 20 minutes and takes you up nearly 750 meters in elevation. The top of the peak is 1,284 meters high and offers gorgeous views of Freiburg and the surrounding areas. On a really clear day, you can see all the way to Switzerland.

Andy and I went up there almost two years ago, but an early snow that year meant we couldn’t see anything. It was really pretty to walk around among the snow-covered trees, but the main point of going up there is the view. The name roughly translates to “look into the countryside” so I wanted to see something. A couple of friends from the US were visiting at Easter, and the weather was gorgeous, so it was a perfect time to take another trip up the mountain.

The look-out tower.

Visiting Schauinsland

Though you can choose to drive, hike or cycle up the mountain, taking the cable car is probably the easiest and most popular way of getting up there. Regular adult tickets are 12€ round trip or 7.50€ for children ages 6-14. Group and senior discounts are also available.

July through September, the cable car runs from 9am to 6pm. The rest of the year it runs 9am to 5pm. Make sure you’re in line to go back down ahead of the closing time. The cable car will keep running as long as there are people waiting in line, but if you’re late and the cable car has stopped running, you’ll have to find your own way back, which probably means walking.

There is a cafe at the top where you can buy snacks, drinks, or lunch. Many people also pack a picnic lunch to enjoy along with the views. Make sure you have water to drink while walking around at the top, and remember that the temperature will be lower up top than it is below in Freiburg.

To get to the Schauinsland cable car, take tram number 2 towards Günterstal and get out at the end station. Then take bus number 21 (it’s the only bus there) to the bottom end of the cable car. It’s the last stop on the bus route as well. It takes about 20 minutes from the center of town (Bertoldsbrunnen) to Schauinsland, and then the cable car itself takes 20 minutes to get to the top. For more information, check out the Schauinsland website here.

Looking for more things to do in the Black Forest? Check out this 1 week Black Forest itinerary.