22/02/2026
The Water, Forest & Meadow Trail (Wasser, Wald & Wiesen Premiumweg), Calw – Northern Black Forest is a trail to add to your list.
We walked this Premium Trail loop starting and finishing in Calw, Baden-Württemberg and loved it!
Here are the details:
Distance: 14.2 km
Time: 4–5 hours (we took closer to 5 with stops)
Difficulty: Moderate
Elevation gain: approx. 350 m
Trail type: Loop
Best for: Varied terrain, forest immersion, quiet sections, traditional Black Forest villages
This trail weaves together three different landscapes:
🌳 Dense forest
🪵 The Nagold River “Water” section
🌾 Open meadow with wide views
Highlights:
✔️ Beautifully marked Premiumweg trail
✔️ Rock formations and a steeper climb around the one-third mark
✔️ The historic Calw “Schafott” site
✔️ Traditional Black Forest touches in Lützenhardt
✔️ An unexpected wild pig enclosure
Good to know before you go:
👉🏻 Bring your own food and water. No cafés directly on the trail.
👉🏻 Hiking poles were helpful on steeper sections.
👉🏻 Trail runners with good grip were fine in February, but expect mud.
👉🏻 Well marked, but we used Komoot as backup.
👉🏻 Likely best in late spring or autumn for drier ground and clearer meadow views.
👉🏻 Allow some time to explore the village of Calw.
Getting there:
Calw is easily accessible by train from Stuttgart, especially with the launch of the new Hermann-Hesse Bahn. The trail begins in town and is walkable from the station. Parking is also available in central Calw.
If you’re looking for a longer Black Forest hike near Stuttgart with varied terrain and solid elevation, this one absolutely delivers! 💃
Save for later and follow for more Trail Notes from Baden-Württemberg and beyond.
Alice ♥️