Löffingen: Historic Town Center, Pilgrimage History and Wutach Gorge

Town Center and Church Art

The historic town center forms an irregular oval. Its only main axis follows a former long-distance trade route, which broadens in the center into a market square with the town hall in the middle. Three gates have been preserved in the town center; they remained closed until the 19th century. This distinctive layout gives a stroll a clear historical focus: the market square, town hall and gates tell the story of the town’s form, without requiring a long list of individual stops.

The churches also each have their own character. Today’s Witterschnee pilgrimage church was built between 1894 and 1897 in the neo-Romanesque style. The history of the Witterschnee Cross goes back further: according to tradition, a man heard a bell from Löffingen there. Woodcutters passing by took him into town; afterwards, he kept his vow. Over the years, more and more pilgrims came there. Witterschnee is therefore associated both with the history of a pilgrimage site and with the church building erected later.

At St. Michael’s town church, it is worth taking a look at the work of Mathias Faller: he designed the present high altar, and the side altars and their figures are also his work. Those interested in sculpture and church furnishings can make these works a cultural focus of their stay. The local history museum offers another way to discover the town’s past: as you walk around, you will encounter many treasures, each with a little story behind it.

Hiking and Experiencing Nature

The Wutach Gorge is considered a unique nature reserve and a strictly protected wild river valley. One important detail for planning your route: it cannot be crossed by vehicle and must be explored on foot. A hiking bus service starts at Löffingen station and goes to Göschweiler and Schattenmühle. From there, it enables a hike of about 9.5 kilometers through the Wutach Gorge to Bachheim. If you choose this route, walking the distance is an essential part of the outing.

There are other options in Löffingen for shorter outings. The medicinal herb educational trail leads to the “Biblical Herb Garden,” where medicinal plants grow; the garden is behind the playground in the direction of the Festhalle. The easy town rally is 3.5 kilometers long and takes about 1.5 to 2 hours. The digital rally starts at the public library at Rathausplatz 14 and is designed for families with children aged six and up. This gives you a choice between a botanical discovery, a walk through town, and a rally specifically designed for families.

More Activities and a Suitable Base for Your Holiday

Winter sports are also part of what is on offer: the Löffingen cross-country ski trail is 20 kilometers long in total, with 5- and 10-kilometer sections for less experienced skiers. Dittishausen, a district of Löffingen, is home to the town’s only ski lift; it is intended for children, beginners and adults. Dittishausen also has its own character for exploring: the renovated Weiler Chapel is one of the oldest buildings in the village and invites you to linger. The historic pumping station on the Gauchach is another place to visit there. Local hiking trails offer open views of Feldberg and the Alps.

When choosing your holiday apartment, you can therefore consider which kind of trip you want to focus on: a stay with time to explore the historic town center, a hike through the Wutach Gorge, or outings to the attractions in Dittishausen. The Löffingen information point has brochures and flyers with tips on places to visit, as well as hiking and cycling routes. A digital terminal with an app and direct assistance by video call for specific questions about hiking tours, winter sports and family holidays provide further guidance.

More local pages: Breitnau, Sulzburg, Gundelfingen, Friedenweiler, Au, Heitersheim, Kirchzarten and Dittishausen.

For the overarching travel overview: Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald.