Wolf Trail stage 5

The fifth stage of the Wolf Trail starts in Bad Dürkheim and leads directly into the Palatinate Forest - a vast, tranquil forest landscape with sandstone-red rock formations, wide ridges and shady paths. Towns such as Neustadt an der Weinstraße, Annweiler am Trifels and Bad Bergzabern set a varied tone between vineyards, castles and small historic town centers. Shortly before the French border at Wissembourg, the route takes a clear change of direction to the east and leads directly to Karlsruhe, where the urban structure briefly opens up and contrasts with the surrounding woodland.

From Karlsruhe, the route continues via Pforzheim into the Black Forest - one of the most striking low mountain ranges in Germany. This section runs from north to south through a landscape of deep valleys, dark spruce forests, quiet ridges and panoramic summits. The route over the Feldberg, the highest point in the Black Forest, marks the most physically and scenically intense moment of the stage. From Schluchsee, the route opens up to the east and leads over gentler ridges and open meadow landscapes towards Lake Constance. The stage finally ends in Constance, where the dense forest profile gives way to the bright, open shoreline panorama of the lake.

Overall, this stage offers a wide range of landscapes - from the Palatinate forest and wine country to the heights of the Black Forest and the Mediterranean-like Lake Constance region. It is both physically demanding and very varied, ideal for experienced hikers who appreciate intensive altitude profiles.