This guidebook is all you need to discover The Westweg, a 285km walk along the length Germany's Black Forest from Pforzheim to Basel. This classic long-distance trail takes around two weeks to walk, in stages of 15-28km. The route is well way-marked and suitable for experienced hikers and those new to long distance walking, though some sections are steep. The Westweg incorporates many of the region's highlights, such the Schwarzwald National Park, the source of the Danube and Lake Titisee. At Titisee there is a choice to make: the western route taking in the Black Forest's highest peak Feldberg and the vineyards of the Markgräflerland, or the quieter eastern route via the Herzogenhorn peak and on to Basel, with all its cultural attractions and old-world charm.

With well-maintained and waymarked trails, an efficient public transport system and conveniently placed huts and farmhouse inns, the Black Forest is one of Germany's best-loved walking destinations. Soft-contoured, forest-clad hills, interspersed with pastures and picturesque villages combine on with far-ranging vistas right across the Alpine chain.

Detailed descriptions and 1:100 000 maps accompany each stage of the route and the book describes options for shortening stages using public transport. There is also information on when to go, where to stay and a German-English glossary - all of which will earn this useful guide a place in your rucksack.

CONTENTS:

INTRODUCTION
The Westweg
Geology
History
Plants and wildlife
Bannwald
Walking the Westweg
Getting there
Getting around
Walking without luggage
Where to stay
First and last nights
Food and drink
Dangers and annoyances
When to go
Equipment
Maps, navigation and GPS
Trail etiquette
Language
Telecommunications
Health and insurance
Money matters
Tourist information
Using this guide
PFORZHEIM TO HAUSACH
Stage 1 Pforzheim to Dobel
Stage 2 Dobel to Forbach
Stage 3 Forbach to Unterstmatt
Stage 4 Unterstmatt to Alexanderschanze
Stage 5 Alexanderschanze to Hark
Stage 6 Hark to Hausach
HAUSACH TO TITISEE
Stage 7 Hausach to Wilhelmshöhe
Stage 8 Wilhelmshöhe to Kalte Herberge
Stage 9 Kalte Herberge to Titisee
WESTERN ROUTE: TITISEE TO BASEL
Stage 10A Titisee to Notschrei
Stage 11A Notschrei to Haldenhof
Stage 12A Haldenhof to Kandern
Stage 13A Kandern to Basel
EASTERN ROUTE: TITISEE TO BASEL
Stage 10B Titisee to Feldbergpass
Stage 11B Feldbergpass to Weißenbachsattel
Stage 12B Weißenbachsattel to Hasel
Stage 13B Hasel to Degerfelden
Stage 14B Degerfelden to Basel

Appendix A Route summary table
Appendix B Accommodation
Appendix C Further information
Appendix D German–English glossary