The Hornisgrindeturm gives many visitors the impression that it is the legacy of an old castle. Few people realise that its existence goes back to the initiative of the Baden Black Forest Association under factory director Nauwerk from Oberachern. He received building permission from the Grand Ducal District Office of Achern on 15 June 1909. A copper plaque at the entrance to the tower, with details of the architect, commemorates its completion in 1910. The Hornisgrinde summit with its beautiful viewing tower and the equally beautiful "Grindenhotel" was, together with the Mummelsee, the most popular excursion destination in the entire region until 1942. After being confiscated by the German Luftwaffe and later by the French military, the lookout tower remained closed to the public for almost 60 years. With the repurchase of the property in 1999, the municipality of Seebach and the Seebach Forest Cooperative are once again pursuing the goal of restoring the Hornisgrinde to its original splendour as a popular excursion destination. This endeavour is to be carried out in harmony with the interests of nature conservation. The Hornisgrinde viewing tower was opened in May 2005.
Tower opening times: Daily except Mondays from 10.30 a.m. - 5 p.m.
Visitors should not miss a walk on the Grindenpfad across the high moor area. Over a length of 3 kilometres and at 12 stations, visitors can learn all kinds of things about the animals, the special climate and the flora and fauna of this raised bog.
Refreshments are available for guests in the Grinde hut.
This raised bog area is something very special and is beautiful in its own way at any time of year. The cotton grass blooms in spring, the heather in late summer and everything turns a golden yellow in autumn. When you can look out over a sea of fog in inversion weather conditions with sunshine on the heights and fog in the valley, it is something very special. Sunsets are beautiful at any time of year!
