Altenschwand combines early settlement history with hiking destinations nearby. The village is home to the Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua; the Chapel of St. Mary on Totenbühl is a hiking destination. These two aspects of a stay are easy to distinguish: local history in Altenschwand and trails through the surrounding landscape.

Local History in Altenschwand and Glashütten

Altenschwand developed as a scattered settlement and was first mentioned in a document around 1300. The Chapel of St. Anthony of Padua dates from 1895. This makes the early settlement history and a specific historic building markers of different periods in the village’s past.

Glashütten also has its own early history. It was first mentioned in a document in 1257 and was then a small glassblowing village; today, it is one of the oldest glassmaking settlements in the Black Forest. A farm belonging to the Teutonic Order’s Beuggen commandery is also recorded there for 1301: at that time, the commandery had a farm in Glashütten. These dates provide a brief overview: 1257 relates to Glashütten’s history, around 1300 to the first documentary mention of Altenschwand, and 1301 to the farm in Glashütten.

Hiking Around Altenschwand

The Chapel of St. Mary on Totenbühl is near Altenschwand and is a hiking destination. From the forest edge to the southwest, the view extends over Altenschwand and Rickenbach to Switzerland. In suitable weather, the panorama also includes the Swiss Alps. On the hike to Totenbühl, the trail leads to Abhau, at an elevation of 935 metres.

Another route is the Strick–Naturfreundehaus–Abhau–Altenschwand winter hiking trail. It runs from the Strick hiking car park via the Naturfreundehaus and Abhau to Altenschwand. This identifies the starting point, intermediate stops and destination. Since the route is designated as a winter hiking trail and suitable preparations may vary by season, it is worth checking the trail conditions before setting out.

Rickenbach as a Wider Travel Destination

The wider travel destination of Rickenbach offers further hiking options. The certified Hotzenpfad premium hiking trail is signposted separately along its entire length. Rickenbach also offers a well-developed and marked network of trails, with opportunities to hike through valleys, uplands, along rivers, and through forests and meadows. One specific route is the 9.41-kilometre circular hike from Rickenbach to Totenbühl. These details provide different ways to find your way: dedicated signage for the Hotzenpfad, a general trail network, and a fixed distance for the circular hike.

Nature and culture also offer their own themes in the wider Rickenbach area. The Solfelsen has been a registered natural monument since 1950. The 5.40-metre-high stone, weighing around 230 tonnes, is not a glacial erratic but was formed through prolonged weathering. St. Gordian and Epimachus Catholic Parish Church features unique stained-glass windows and a modern chancel painting by glass artist Emil Wachter. At the Strahlbrusch waterfall, a rocky outcrop protected by a railing offers a view of the rugged cliffs over which the Seelbach plunges into the Murg Valley.

When looking for a holiday apartment, you can first decide what you would like to focus on: Altenschwand’s local history and nearby hiking destinations, or further hiking and cultural themes in the wider travel destination of Rickenbach. This lets you choose according to your interests without having to plan a fixed itinerary.

For the wider travel overview: Rickenbach.