Ravenna Gorge

The gorge extends roughly four kilometers through dense woodland and rock formations, where the stream forms two waterfalls that you reach along narrow hiking trails winding between trees and boulders, while steep slopes rise on both sides creating a tight passage through the landscape.

A chapel dating from 1148 stands near the bridge and received prominent travelers over the centuries including Marie Antoinette on her journey to France and the poet Goethe, while the stone railway viaduct was constructed in the late nineteenth century to carry the rail connection through the valley.

A christmas market takes place beneath the viaduct during Advent, where stalls offer Black Forest specialties and handmade products that draw visitors from nearby towns who come to purchase traditional goods in an unusual outdoor setting surrounded by forest.

Hiking trails require sturdy footwear and extra caution during wet conditions because of slippery surfaces and steep sections, parking is available at the entrance near Breitnau, the gorge remains shaded and can feel cool even in summer so bringing an extra layer is advisable for comfort.

A railway viaduct standing roughly thirty seven meters high (about a hundred and twenty feet) spans the lower section and carries train traffic between Freiburg and Donaueschingen, its stone arch construction remaining operational since the late nineteenth century with trains passing regularly above the forest floor.

Location: Breitnau

GPS coordinates: 47.91972,8.08500

Latest update: December 13, 2025 15:28