Todtnau Waterfall

The Todtnau Waterfall drops about 97 metres down a rocky step in the valley of the Stübenbach, close to the town of Todtnau in the southern Black Forest. The region's tourism board describes it as one of the highest natural waterfalls in Germany, and it lies between the holiday villages of Todtnauberg and Aftersteg, a short drive from the Feldberg massif. Where Triberg's falls are a staircase of cascades beside a town, Todtnau is a single dramatic fall in a quieter landscape, with a viewing path through spruce and beech woodland and a roar that carries a long way after rain or snowmelt. Extensive building work has made the main viewpoints wheelchair accessible, which is unusual for a Black Forest waterfall of this size. Entry to the waterfall area is part of the landscape rather than a ticketed attraction, so it suits a flexible stop on a day in the hills.

The sensible way to see Todtnau is as part of a southern Black Forest loop. Many visitors combine it with the Feldberg, Lake Titisee or Schluchsee, and the town of Todtnau itself has cafes and a long tradition of winter sports. The waterfall is at its most impressive in spring, when snowmelt feeds the stream, and after heavy rain, and thinner in a dry late summer.

Autumn colour in the beech woods makes the viewing paths especially pleasant. Wear shoes with grip, since the ground near the spray is wet and the steps can be slick, and bring a light waterproof layer.

Winter needs care. The tourism board warns that cold nights can freeze the falls into great curtains of ice, which look spectacular, but the paths can be dangerous and may be closed in winter, so check the closure notice or call the local tourist office before you travel.

Do not climb onto ice or past barriers for photographs. The same caution applies after storms, when branches and wet leaves make the steps difficult. If the waterfall path is closed, the Feldberg and its snow trails, or the town of Todtnau, make good alternatives for the same day.

Several waymarked walking routes pass the waterfall, including circular tours from the valley and longer hikes that link it with other falls in the area, so you can make a short viewpoint stop or a half-day walk. The local tourism site describes a circular walk to the waterfall and a longer route that links several falls, and it is worth printing or saving a route in advance as phone signal can be patchy in the valley.

Parking is available near the access points, but spaces can fill on fine weekends, so arrive in the morning. Public transport serves Todtnau from Freiburg by train and bus, with a change, and the journey is slower than driving, so a car or a guided day trip makes the visit easier.

Children enjoy the roar of the water and the sense of scale, though parents should keep a close eye near the rails and the wet rock. For anyone who has seen Triberg and wants a quieter contrast, Todtnau is a good second waterfall, and the two make a pleasing comparison between a town-side cascade and a wilder single drop. Allow an hour for the viewpoints and a half day if you walk one of the circular routes.