Görwihl: Forest Trails, Glacial Mill and Local History Museum
Accommodation in Görwihl
Görwihl combines striking forest and water landscapes with an unusually tangible glimpse into the history of crafts. The Krai-Woog-Gumpen tells the story of Ice Age formation; at the local history museum, saltpetre boiling and the passementerie loom showcase very different ways of working. There are also hiking trails, a bird-watching trail, a puzzle adventure and the Aquihl indoor swimming pool. This gives you the opportunity to plan different kinds of holiday days, alternating between activity, exploring nature and culture.
Historischer Plan über den Bann der Gemeinde Gerweil in der Grafschaft Hauenstein.
Photo: Eberle, Geometer via Source, CC BY 4.0
Ice Age Basins and Forest Landscapes
One of Görwihl’s distinctive natural features is the Krai-Woog-Gumpen, an Ice Age natural wonder in the middle of the forest. Also known as the glacier mill, this rock formation consists of two stone basins lying close together. Each has a diameter of around 2.70 metres. The basins formed during the Ice Age, when a glacier had to overcome a rocky ridge at this spot. The depressions, which are almost the same size, bring the geological history to life: instead of a sweeping landform, the focus here is on two clearly defined basins.
Hiking Trails and Waterfalls
Numerous hiking trails pass viewpoints overlooking the Alps, follow the Höllbach waterfalls and wind through the Höllbach Valley with its unspoilt landscape. The Höllbach waterfalls are located near Görwihl. Here, the Höllbach, a tributary of the Alb, plunges around 8.50 metres. The location and course of the stream also help put this waterscape into context.
A shady, peaceful circular walk along the water begins at the Sägmooshütte in Görwihl and can be combined with a visit to the Höllbach waterfalls. The route is around 3.5 kilometres long and is easy to walk with children. This specific trail offers a different kind of guidance from the many hikes through varied landscapes: it combines a clearly named starting point with an approximate distance and a destination by the water.
Birdwatching and a Puzzle Adventure
The Görwihl Bird Trail is an informative walk where children can discover local birdlife and learn more about nature through play. Anni’s Black Forest Mystery starts at the Sägmooshütte and follows a route through the forest that connects with the bird trail. For this tour, you can get a puzzle backpack at the Eichrüttehof in Görwihl, containing several locked boxes as well as all the clues and materials. As availability may change, check before your visit to see whether the backpack is currently available.
The bird trail and puzzle adventure appeal to different interests: the walk focuses on getting to know local birds, while Anni’s Black Forest Mystery leads through the forest with puzzles and materials. When planning your day, you can decide whether you would like to focus on learning about nature, solving puzzles or combining both experiences.
Crafts at the Local History Museum
The saltpetre works at the Görwihl Local History Museum showcase a historic craft practised by the Salpeterer. They once collected crystallised saltpetre from stable walls and manure heaps. At the works, it was leached to produce potassium nitrate, an important raw material for making gunpowder. This example shows how an initially unremarkable raw material was further processed through a series of steps.
Another craft is illustrated by the 4.20-metre-wide passementerie loom. It is the last still-working loom of its kind in the entire High Rhine region. It can weave up to 40 fine silk ribbons in a single operation. The saltpetre works and the loom highlight different aspects of the same museum: one is about extracting and processing a historic substance, the other about the exceptional width and capacity of a loom.
Aquihl and Choosing Your Accommodation
Aquihl is the indoor swimming pool in Görwihl. The pool is 16.66 metres long and around 8 metres wide; a hydraulically adjustable movable floor allows the water depth to be set to suit individual needs. Classes include baby swimming, aqua fitness and aqua jogging. Before visiting, check the latest operating information and, if you are interested, the current class schedule.
When looking for a holiday apartment or holiday home in Görwihl, the experiences you have planned may help you decide: hiking, a walk starting at the Sägmooshütte, birdwatching, a visit to the local history museum or spending time at the indoor pool each offer a different focus.
Discover more destinations: Herrischried, Wutach, Höchenschwand, Ibach, Dachsberg, Hohentengen am Hochrhein, Rickenbach, Sankt Blasien.
For the main travel overview: Waldshut.
