Location and surroundings
Feldberg belongs to the Black Forest, within the wider South German Scarplands, Central Uplands and Central European Highlands. It is in Germany, in Baden-Württemberg, and administratively in the municipality of Feldberg in Landkreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald. At 1,494 m, it is the highest of the Black Forest’s 1,039 named peaks. The summit area sits on an open high ridge with valleys dropping away on several sides.
The mountain lies southeast of Freiburg im Breisgau. Around it are the Feldsee basin, the Grüble saddle, and steep slopes toward the Zastler and St. Wilhelmer valleys in the northwest and the Wiesental in the southwest. Nearby villages include Feldberg-Ort, Brandenberg and Todtnauberg. The terrain combines open summit ground, forested slopes, glacial hollows and winter sports infrastructure.
Neighbouring peaks
The closest named peaks and hills give a good sense of Feldberg’s position on the ridge system:
- Baldenweger Buck (hill), 1,461 m, 0.8 km NE
- Immisberg (peak), 1,373 m, 0.9 km NW
- Seebuck (peak), 1,449 m, 1.7 km SE
- Toter Mann (peak), 1,321 m, 2.3 km NW
- Schweizerwald (hill), 1,306 m, 2.5 km NE
- Stübenwasen (peak), 1,389 m, 2.6 km W
- Köpfle (Feldbergerhof) (hill), 1,317 m, 3.1 km SE
- Grafenmatt (peak), 1,377 m, 3.1 km S
Feldberg is the highest point in this cluster, but several neighbours are close enough to make ridge walks and linked outings possible. The summit is only slightly higher than Baldenweger Buck and Seebuck, while the surrounding hills and peaks form a compact high-mountain landscape rather than an isolated cone.
The view from the summit
The broadest high points within 25 km are the main landmarks in the panorama from Feldberg. To the south lies Herzogenhorn at 1,416 m, 4.4 km S. Farther southwest is Belchen at 1,414 m, 14.0 km SW. Other nearby high summits include Bärhalde (1,324 m, 5.9 km SE), Blößling (1,310 m, 8.8 km S), Schnepfhalde (1,298 m, 8.9 km SE) and Schmaleck (1,287 m, 2.2 km W).
From the summit, the open position above the surrounding valleys gives long views across the Black Forest ridges. In clear weather, the higher summits around Feldberg help define the skyline, with Herzogenhorn and Belchen forming the main nearby reference points to the south and southwest.
The range
Feldberg belongs to the Black Forest, the highest mountain range in the area is the Black Forest itself. The range’s high point is Feldberg, so the summit is also the top of the range. The Black Forest spans Germany and Switzerland, and Feldberg ranks first among its named peaks by elevation.
In the wider hierarchy, the Black Forest is part of the South German Scarplands, which belong to the Central Uplands of the Central European Highlands. Feldberg’s prominence of 934 m underlines how strongly it rises above the surrounding uplands and valleys.
Access and starting points
The summit is reached on foot or by bicycle. The main approach area is around Feldberg-Ort, and the mountain is also linked to the road and transport network around the Feldberg Pass. Nearby settlements are Feldberg-Ort (3.1 km SE), Brandenberg (4.6 km SW) and Todtnauberg (5.3 km SW). Public transport stops include Todtnau-Fahl, Abzweig Todtnauer Hütte (1.8 km S) and Skilift (1.9 km S).
There are 10 car parks within 2 km, with the nearest 870 m SW. Marked hiking routes pass over or next to the summit, including Am Feldberggipfel - Oberhalb Zastler Hütte, Am Feldberggipfel - Baldenweger Hütte, Am Feldberggipfel - Oberhalb Todtnauer Hütte, Oberhalb Todtnauer Hütte - St. Wilhelmer Hütte and Oberhalb Todtnauer Hütte - Todtnauer Hütte.
Climate and weather
The summit climate is cool and exposed. Estimates from NASA POWER climate data for 2001–2020 give a mean temperature of about 12 °C in July, the warmest month, and about -4 °C in January, the coldest. At summit level, mean temperatures are above freezing in April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Around the mountain, annual precipitation is about 1,250 mm, with the wettest month in May at about 130 mm and the driest in April at about 80 mm.
Weather hazards here are typical of a high Black Forest summit: rapid cloud build-up, wind exposure, fog, rain, winter snow and icy patches. Even in the warmer season, conditions can change quickly on the open ridge, and the surrounding valleys can be much calmer than the summit.
Best time to visit
For walking, the most comfortable months are usually the ones when the summit is above freezing: April to October. In that period the snow cover is less persistent, the paths are more likely to be open, and temperatures are generally suitable for longer ridge walks. The drier part of the year is relatively modest here, but April is the driest month in the climate figures.
Winter and early spring can still be good for experienced visitors who want snow scenery, but they require proper clothing, traction and route awareness. On an exposed summit like Feldberg, wind chill can make conditions feel much colder than the thermometer suggests.
Nature and wildlife
The Feldberg area is a high Black Forest landscape with subalpine vegetation, open summit ground, forested slopes and glacial features such as the Feldsee and nearby boggy ground. At this elevation, spruce forest, mountain meadows, heath-like patches and wet hollows are all part of the scenery. Wildlife is typical of upland forest and open ridge country, with birds, small mammals and deer among the species visitors may encounter.
The summit and its surroundings lie in Naturpark Südschwarzwald and the Feldberg nature reserve. These protected areas help preserve the mountain’s plant communities, wetland remnants and open ridge habitats, which are important in a region that also sees heavy recreation use in summer and winter.
Guides and organised ascents
Feldberg is a hiking mountain rather than a technical alpine climb, so most visitors do not need a certified guide in normal summer conditions. A guide can still be useful in winter, in poor visibility, or for combining the summit with longer ridge routes and snow travel. In Germany, the national mountain guide association is the Association of German Mountain and Ski Guides (VDBS), an IFMGA/UIAGM member. The national alpine club is the German Alpine Club (DAV).
Visitors usually look to the DAV, local tourist offices in the Feldberg area, or established guiding companies working in the mountains of Germany such as DAV Summit Club and Bergsteigerschule Zugspitze. A guided outing typically depends on the length of the day, group size, snow conditions, hut stops and equipment needs. For Feldberg, the main value of a guide is route choice and winter safety rather than technical difficulty.
Safety and preparation
Although Feldberg is not a high alpine summit, it is exposed and weather-sensitive. Carry layers, rain protection, and sturdy footwear, and be ready for wind, fog and slippery ground even in summer. In winter, snow and ice can linger on the ridge and around shaded paths, so traction and navigation skills matter. The summit area is busy in places, but the weather can still change fast.
For mountain rescue in Germany, the emergency number is 112; mountain rescue is alerted through that number. Police use 110. On a mountain with open ridges and many visitors, it is wise to download maps before setting out and to tell someone your route if you plan a longer walk.
History and name
The name Feldberg is linked to the surrounding Feldberg area and the local municipality that took its name from the mountain. The summit has long been a reference point in the Black Forest, and today it is marked by towers, viewpoints and protected land use rather than by a single remote peak identity. The mountain’s modern role combines recreation, nature protection and communications infrastructure.
Geologically, the mountain’s bedrock is very old gneiss, and the present summit is the result of repeated uplift and erosion over a long period. Glacial shaping during the last ice age also left clear traces in the nearby hollows and basins.
Interesting facts
Feldberg is the highest mountain in Baden-Württemberg and the highest mountain in Germany outside the Alps and Bavaria. It is also the highest of the Black Forest’s 1,039 named peaks. Its prominence is 934 m, which is high for a German low mountain summit and explains why it dominates the surrounding uplands.
The nearest higher summit does not exist within the Black Forest because Feldberg is the range high point. Nearby, the most prominent companion peaks are Herzogenhorn and Belchen. The summit area also combines hiking, winter sports, viewpoints and protected nature in one compact high-mountain setting.
FAQ
How high is Feldberg? Feldberg rises to 1,494 m.
Where is Feldberg located? It is in Germany, in Baden-Württemberg, in the municipality of Feldberg in Landkreis Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald, within the Black Forest.
Is Feldberg the highest mountain in the Black Forest? Yes. It is the highest mountain in the Black Forest and the highest of its 1,039 named peaks.
What peaks are close to Feldberg? The nearest are Baldenweger Buck 0.8 km NE, Immisberg 0.9 km NW, and Seebuck 1.7 km SE.
Are there huts on Feldberg? Yes. Friedrich-Luise-Turm is a tower 60 m SW of the summit, Berggasthof & Pension zur Todtnauer Hütte is an alpine hut 870 m SW, Baldenweger Hütte is an alpine hut 1.2 km NE, and Hüttenwasenhütte is a shelter 1.6 km NW.
How long does it take to walk up Feldberg? From the car park about 0.9 km SW of the top, at about 1,320 m, the rough walking time is 25–35 minutes. From Feldberg-Ort, the estimate is 55–85 minutes; that is based on distance and height gain, and the real path may take longer.
Is there water on the way to Feldberg? There is a mapped drinking-water point 660 m N of the summit, but on an exposed ridge you should still carry enough for the day. Plan on about 1.5–3 litres, depending on heat and route length.
Is mobile phone coverage good on Feldberg? There are 24 communication masts within 10 km, with the nearest 160 m SE. On an open summit a signal is likely, but it can fail in valleys and behind ridges. Emergency calls to 112 work over any available network, and maps should be downloaded before you go.