Devon to Sasbachwalden Hiking and Black Forest Road Trip

Afternoon: Devon to Andover

Leave Devon in the early afternoon and allow roughly 2½–3 hours to reach Andover, depending on traffic around Exeter, the A303, and Salisbury. A sensible fuel and comfort stop is at Podimore Services near the A303/A37 junction, or use the larger facilities around Solstice Park near Amesbury if you need a proper break. On arrival, park at your accommodation first if practical, unload valuables, and take a short breather before heading into town.

Late Afternoon: Town Centre and Supplies

Stretch your legs with an easy 45-minute walk through Andover town centre, taking in Andover High Street, Chantry Centre, and the riverside paths near Charlton Road. This is mainly a reset after the drive rather than a sightseeing session, so keep it relaxed and use the walk to check that everyone has phones, wallets, passports, and driving documents to hand. Then drive to Tesco Superstore Andover on River Way for water, sandwiches, fruit, breakfast supplies, snacks for the Channel Tunnel crossing, and anything needed for the long French motorway day. The store is generally open into the evening, but check the current closing time before setting out; allow about 45 minutes and avoid leaving shopping until tomorrow morning.

Evening: Dinner and Eurotunnel Preparation

Have a straightforward dinner at The Lights Café in The Lights, West Street, where casual meals and drinks usually work out at approximately £15–25 per person. Check the day’s opening hours, as evening service can vary, and aim to eat early enough to leave the rest of the evening free. Back at your accommodation, spend around 90 minutes loading the vehicles and preparing for the early start: keep passports, booking confirmation, driving licences, insurance details, high-visibility vests, warning equipment, chargers, and snacks together in the cabin rather than the boot. Settle the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle booking and navigation before bed, put some euro coins aside for parking or toilets, and plan to leave Andover around 04:30–05:00 for the M20 and Folkestone; an early crossing is important for keeping the long drive to Sasbachwalden manageable.

Early morning: Andover to the Continent

Leave Andover around 04:30–05:00 for Folkestone, allowing extra time for the M20 and the terminal check-in. Reserve the earliest practical Eurotunnel Le Shuttle crossing directly with LeShuttle; arrive at least 60 minutes before departure, with passports, booking details, driving documents, and Eurotunnel payment card ready. The crossing itself takes about 35 minutes, but allow roughly 90 minutes for the terminal, loading, and arrival formalities. Once in Calais, change drivers and set the sat-nav for Reims, then Strasbourg and the A5 into Germany. Keep a card and some euros accessible for French tolls, and remember that French motorway service areas are convenient but expensive—budget around €10–15 per person for a substantial stop.

Late morning and afternoon: France to the Black Forest

Plan two proper breaks rather than trying to drive through: one around Reims or Châlons-en-Champagne, and another farther east near Nancy or Metz, with a short fuel stop as needed. The long, straightforward motorway run is tiring, so swap drivers every couple of hours and keep snacks and water in the car. After Strasbourg, the scenery becomes noticeably more wooded as you follow the A5 south toward Achern; allow around 11–12 hours door to door, including the shuttle, tolls, meals, and stops. There are no routine border controls between France and Germany, but retain passports and vehicle paperwork in the glovebox.

Late afternoon: Arrival in Sasbachwalden

On arrival in Sasbachwalden, park directly at your accommodation and keep the evening deliberately light. After checking in, take a gentle 20–30-minute orientation walk through the village centre, following the steep, flower-lined streets around Hauptstraße and the old half-timbered houses. This is a good moment to locate tomorrow’s trail-start area and pick up any breakfast items if shops are still open; many small businesses close by late afternoon, so do not rely on finding supplies after arrival.

Evening: Baden dinner and an early night

Have dinner at a traditional restaurant along Hauptstraße, such as Zum Fässlewirt or Knusperhäuschen, both suited to a first evening of regional Baden cooking. Expect roughly €25–40 per person for a main course, with local wine or a small digestif extra; reserve ahead if arriving on a Friday or Saturday, and check opening days and kitchen hours before setting out, as village restaurants often pause service between lunch and dinner. Keep the meal relaxed and aim for an early night—the following morning’s Schnapsbrunnenweg 1 is much more enjoyable after this long driving day.

Morning: Schnapsbrunnenweg 1

Start around 09:00 from Sasbachwalden and follow the signed Schnapsbrunnenweg 1 loop, allowing roughly 3–4 hours for the 7 km walk and unhurried stops. The route rolls through steep vineyards and lower woodland, with the distinctive self-service schnapps fountains offering small bottles of local fruit spirits; bring euro coins, although some honesty-box stations may accept cashless payment. Wear proper walking shoes—the vineyard paths can be slippery after October rain—and carry water, as the fountains are tasting points rather than reliable drinking-water sources. Keep the pace gentle today: the best part is lingering over the views across the Ortenau and reading the handwritten notes at each station.

Afternoon: village and mill

After returning to the village, take about 45 minutes to wander the timber-framed centre of Sasbachwalden, especially along Talstraße and the lanes around the church. The flower boxes will be less abundant than in summer, but the dark wood façades and hillside setting are particularly atmospheric in autumn. For Straubenhöfmühle, drive only a few minutes out into the rural outskirts; allow around 30 minutes to look around the traditional mill setting and photograph the stream and surrounding meadows. Check locally whether the interior is open, as access and demonstrations are seasonal; if closed, the exterior and short walk around it are still worthwhile.

Late afternoon and evening

Return to the village centre for an hour at a wine tavern near Sasbachwalden, choosing a quiet terrace or snug indoor table depending on the weather. Order a glass of Ortenau Pinot Noir, Riesling, or the region’s distinctive Spätburgunder, with bread, cheese, or a small plate of local specialities; budget €12–25 per person. Finish at Gasthaus zur Blume for a relaxed regional dinner, allowing €25–40 per person. Expect hearty Baden cooking—seasonal game, pork, trout, or spaetzle—and book ahead if possible, particularly for a weekend evening; village kitchens commonly close between lunch and dinner and may have a weekly rest day, so confirm today’s service before setting out.

Morning: Schnapsbrunnenweg 2

Begin around 08:30–09:00 from Sasbachwalden for the longer Schnapsbrunnenweg 2 loop. Allow five to six hours rather than treating the 12 km as a quick walk: this route gains more height than yesterday’s circuit, with quieter forest tracks, open clearings and broad views down the valleys. The self-service schnapps fountains are honesty-box stops, so carry small euro coins and a little cash; some may have limited bottles or glasses late in the season. Wear proper walking shoes, bring water and pack a snack, as there are no guaranteed food stops on the route. Check the weather before setting out—October mornings can be misty and the shaded forest sections remain damp.

Afternoon: recovery in the village

Return to Sasbachwalden around 14:00–15:00 and spend 45 minutes easing your legs in Sasbachwalden Kurpark, rather than heading straight indoors. It is a good low-effort reset after the climb, with landscaped paths and benches close to the village centre. Follow this with Black Forest cake and coffee at a village-centre café; allow roughly €8–15 per person and check the day’s closing time, as smaller cafés often finish service by late afternoon. The classic order is a slice of Schwarzwälder Kirschtorte, though portions are substantial enough to share after a full day on the trail.

Late afternoon and evening

For an easy introduction to the local wine scene, walk or make the short drive into the surrounding Sasbachwalden vineyards for a small tasting at a local wine shop or vineyard tasting room. Ring ahead if possible, particularly on a Monday, and budget €10–25 per person for a modest Ortenau tasting; look for Pinot varieties and the region’s crisp white wines. Finish with an uncomplicated dinner at a casual pizzeria or regional restaurant in Sasbachwalden—most village-centre options are walkable, but reserve or check opening hours before the tasting, since kitchens can close early outside the main season. Allow €15–30 per person, and keep the evening deliberately quiet: tomorrow’s Oberkircher Brennersteig is the most demanding hike of the trip.

Morning: drive to Oberkirch and start the trail

Leave Sasbachwalden around 08:00–08:15 for the short drive to Oberkirch, roughly 15 minutes via the B28. Park near the town centre or the trail’s signed starting area, checking local signs carefully because some spaces are time-limited or require a disc. Bring water and a packed snack: the Oberkircher Brennersteig is a demanding 14 km circuit, and the six distillery stops are generally self-service rather than staffed attractions. Allow five to six hours, including steep vineyard sections, orchard tracks, viewpoints, and pauses at the honesty-box stations; carry small euro coins and avoid drinking spirits before the more exposed or uphill stretches.

Afternoon: finish the hike, Oberkirch centre and Schauenburg Castle

After returning to Oberkirch, take 45 minutes for an easy wander through the historic centre, stretching your legs among the old lanes and town buildings before driving uphill to Schauenburg Castle. The castle ruins are a compact visit, but the Rhine Valley outlook is especially rewarding in clear autumn weather. Access is free, though parking near the approach can be limited; wear proper shoes for the uneven stone paths. In October, daylight fades quickly after 18:30, so aim to reach the viewpoint by about 16:30–17:00 rather than lingering too long in town.

Evening: dinner in Oberkirch and return to Sasbachwalden

Have dinner at Gasthof zur Sonne in Oberkirch, allowing 1½ hours and budgeting approximately €25–40 per person for Baden specialities and local wine. Check the restaurant’s Tuesday opening hours and reserve ahead if possible, as smaller traditional establishments may close between services or fill quickly. After dinner, drive back to Sasbachwalden in about 15 minutes via the B28; the route is straightforward, but keep an eye out for cyclists and wildlife on the darker rural stretches.

Morning: gardens and modern art in Baden-Baden

After a slower breakfast in Sasbachwalden, drive to Baden-Baden in about 35 minutes via the B3 and A5. Aim to arrive around 09:30; central parking is easiest in a public garage such as Parkgarage Kongresshaus, close to the gardens and museum. Begin with an easy one-hour walk along Lichtentaler Allee, following the Oos through mature trees, lawns, and landscaped gardens. October is particularly pleasant here, with autumn colour beginning to show and very little need to rush. The path is level and suitable for a relaxed recovery morning.

Continue to Museum Frieder Burda, beside the park, for around 90 minutes. It is a compact, well-presented modern-art museum, so it works well on a rest day rather than demanding a full afternoon. Check the current exhibition and opening time before setting out—hours and admission vary with the programme, but allow roughly €15–20 per adult. From the museum, it is an easy walk into the centre.

Lunch and thermal afternoon

Have lunch at Café König, a traditional patisserie in the town centre, allowing about an hour for coffee, cake, or a light savoury meal. Budget approximately €12–25 per person; it is a good place to try a Black Forest-style cake without turning lunch into a long restaurant stop. Afterwards, walk through the old town to Friedrichsbad for two to three hours. Reserve ahead, as this historic bath is popular and operates timed admissions; confirm the current bathing rules and whether swimwear is required, since the traditional bathing arrangements may differ from modern spa facilities. Bring sandals and a small bag, and leave valuables in the provided lockers. Expect admission to be roughly €35–50, depending on the package and current pricing.

Late afternoon and return to Sasbachwalden

Finish with an unhurried wander through Baden-Baden old town and the Trinkhalle, admiring the colonnades and painted arcade murals before returning to the car. Leave around 17:30–18:00 to reach Sasbachwalden in approximately 35 minutes, allowing a little extra time for evening traffic around Bühl and the B3. Keep dinner simple near the accommodation—after three hiking days and a thermal afternoon, a quiet local meal is more appealing than another long drive.

Early morning: leave Sasbachwalden

Set off around 05:00–06:00 for the long return to Devon, using the A5 north through the Black Forest, then the A35 past Strasbourg, A4 towards Reims, and onward to Calais. Before leaving, allow about 30 minutes at a local fuel station or bakery for a full tank, coffee, rolls, fruit and water; most bakeries open early, but check the exact opening time the night before. Keep euros or a card ready for French motorway tolls, and make sure your Le Shuttle booking, passports and driving documents are immediately accessible rather than packed away.

Morning: motorway break near Baden-Baden

After roughly an hour on the A5, use a service area near Baden-Baden for the first driver change and a proper coffee break. Allow around 30 minutes, longer if the group needs breakfast. German motorway services are convenient but noticeably dearer than a supermarket bakery, so buy only what you need and refill water bottles before continuing. Expect a full day behind the wheel: with stops, tolls and the 35-minute train crossing, the journey to Calais is typically 11–12 hours.

Lunch and the Channel crossing

Aim for a substantial lunch at a motorway rest stop in the Champagne region near Reims, allowing about 45 minutes for food, fuel and a second driver change. Keep the afternoon flexible, as traffic around Strasbourg, Reims and the approach to Calais can easily alter the timetable. Reach the Eurotunnel Le Shuttle terminal with the check-in margin required by your ticket—earlier is safer on a long cross-border day—and use the terminal facilities for one final rest before boarding. The crossing itself takes about 35 minutes, but allow additional time for boarding and disembarkation.

Evening: Folkestone to Devon

After arriving at Folkestone, take the M20, then join the appropriate westbound route via the M25 and M3/A303, depending on your final destination in Devon. Plan one deliberate comfort and driver-change stop before the last leg rather than pushing on tired; the drive from Folkestone to Devon generally takes four to five hours. Check traffic and road closures before leaving the terminal, and expect a late arrival—keep the evening simple, with food and overnight arrangements prepared in advance.