Hiking in the Black Forest near the Allerheiligen Monastery ruins: Waterfalls & History

Fancy a hike among ancient monastery walls, wild waterfalls, and a true Black Forest experience? Then pack your backpack and come along to Allerheiligen – perfect for a short break with atmosphere, views, and a well-deserved ice cream at the end.

Now for something religious – just kidding. We want to experience history, so we're heading to the Allerheiligen monastery ruins and the Allerheiligen waterfall. The hike is beautiful, but a bit challenging in places: it goes uphill, over steps, and through the forest. Nevertheless, it belongs on every Black Forest bucket list.

Starting point: monastery ruins

We park right near the ruins – if you arrive early enough, you can even find a spot with a campervan. The Allerheiligen Legend Trail is about 4.5 kilometers long and takes around two hours if you walk at a leisurely pace. Along the way, we see the monastery ruins, several waterfalls, and enjoy a breathtaking view of the Black Forest.

After about 500 meters, we reach the first walls of the former monastery. The remains of the over 800-year-old structure are fascinating. We stroll through the ruins and let the atmosphere sink in. Who lived, debated, and prayed here? A journey back in time would be truly exciting.

Prospects and emotions

We continue along a well-graveled path towards the Rossgrundhütte. After about 700 meters uphill, the view opens up to the Black Forest – a moment to catch our breath. Millions of trees, the sound of the waterfall, warm sunbeams on our skin. We pause briefly and let the panorama sink in.

We spend the next hundred meters constantly taking new photos – the scenery is simply too beautiful not to capture. Then we plunge back into the forest, walk past the Rossgrundhütte (Rossgrund Hut), and follow the path downhill. It continues in gentle switchbacks towards the waterfalls.

Magical waterfalls and a well-deserved ice cream

At the lower parking lot, we reach the gateway to the Allerheiligen Waterfalls. We cross a bridge, and then the ascent begins – many steps lead past the roaring torrents of water, which we could already hear from afar. The path is well-maintained, and there are frequent small rest areas that blend perfectly into the peaceful surroundings.

The waterfalls themselves are impressive – wild, loud, and powerful. After climbing the last section, the path levels out again. Soon we're back at the monastery ruins.

One last tip: If you get hungry or thirsty while hiking, you can treat yourself to a cold drink or an ice cream at the small shop near the ruins – even if the restaurant is closed. We, of course, took advantage of that immediately.

Take a look at the route!

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Discover the route on Komoot too

Conclusion

The hike around the Allerheiligen monastery ruins combines nature, history, and little moments of enjoyment – ​​exactly the mix we love. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors, appreciates ancient walls, and likes to take photos will be in their element here. For us, it was a little escape from everyday life – and that's precisely why we take these breaks.