Alpine feelings rarely arise in the Black Forest. The tranquil low mountain range is generally characterised by gentle meadows, forests and hills. But there are also places here where good footwear, surefootedness and a head for heights are required.
One of the most beautiful areas of this type is the Karlsruher Grat near Ottenhöfen, which can easily compete with high mountain via ferratas and is even more attractive as an excursion destination thanks to its connection with the wild and romantic Edelfrauengrab waterfalls in the nearby Gottschlägtal valley.
Interesting facts about the "Karlsruher Ridge"
From a geological perspective, the Karlsruhe Ridge - which goes by the name "Eichhaldenfirst" - is a quartz porphyry ridge that was formed around 270 million years ago in the Palaeozoic era when magma penetrated a four-kilometre-long and around 750-metre-deep rock fissure and cooled. Erosion of the surrounding rock resulted in the more resistant, harder porphyry forming a striking ridge. In some places, the flow marks on the ridge can still be seen today.
Of course, you hardly think about this once you reach the top: The view of the deep Gottschlägtal valley and the Black Forest heights between Hornisgrinde and Schliffkopf is overwhelming. And the terrain also offers certain challenges.
However, you should always bear in mind that the Karlsruher Grat, together with the Gottschlägtal valley, has formed a 154-hectare nature reserve since 1975, which extends from an altitude of around 400 metres to 850 metres above sea level. The woodland-free rocky areas and dry scree slopes in particular are valuable biotopes that provide a habitat for many endangered plants. The name "Karlsruher Grat" probably goes back to the fact that the Eichhaldenfirst was a popular excursion destination for hiking clubs from the former Baden state capital of Karlsruhe around 100 years ago.
Spruce, fir, Douglas fir and deciduous trees grow in the area of the Karlsruhe ridge and the Gottschlägtal valley due to the good mineralisation of the soil and the cool, damp climate. Ferns and mosses grow in the area of the Edelfrauengrab waterfalls.
There is little vegetation on the ridge, many of the rocks are colonised by lichen. On the steep slopes, the sparse vegetation is dominated by beech, oak and chestnut trees. From an altitude of around 800 metres, broom, pipe grass and heather can be found.
From spring onwards, the Karlsruhe Ridge is bathed in the yellow colour of the rare heather and broom bushes. The white blossoms of the rock pear, rowan and rowanberry also add a splash of colour. Splashes of colour are provided well into the summer: knapweeds, yarrows, bluebells, summer aconites and, in spring locations, marsh marigolds, purple loosestrife and marsh violets.
A variety of insects frequent the sunny southern slopes of this unique nature reserve: grasshoppers and, above all, butterflies. With a bit of luck, peregrine falcons and ravens can be spotted above the Gottschlägtal valley or the steep cliffs.
