Mahlberg, Mountain summit in Black Forest, Germany

Mahlberg is a 611.5 m high mountain in the Northern Black Forest, the highest point in the county of Karlsruhe and in the Völkersbach parish. Its eastern slope lies in the municipality of Malsch, the western slope in Gaggenau in the county of Rastatt. On the summit stands the 30.5 m high reinforced concrete Mahlberg Tower, whose platform is reached by a spiral staircase of 160 steps.

The first tower, built in 1896 under Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden, was so badly damaged by artillery fire on 10 April 1945 that it was demolished in August 1961. Its foundation stone was laid on 3 June 1962 and the new tower was inaugurated on 29 September 1962, funded by the state, the city of Karlsruhe, the counties of Karlsruhe and Rastatt and donations.

The tower carries a plaque recording that the first structure was built in 1896 under Grand Duke Frederick I of Baden, protector of the Karlsruhe branch of the Black Forest Club. The present tower was inaugurated on 29 September 1962, funded by the state, the city of Karlsruhe, the counties of Karlsruhe and Rastatt and voluntary donations. In April 2021, before the tower's 125th anniversary, graffiti artist Marco Billmaier redesigned its lower section.

The tower is freely accessible; a donation box at the entrance asks for a small contribution to its upkeep. The viewing platform is reached by a spiral staircase of 160 steps. Small orientation panels on the parapet identify the Murg valley, Moosalb valley, Upper Rhine Plain, Vosges, Palatine Forest, Kraichgau and Odenwald.

The 30.5-metre concrete tower replaced an 1896 structure destroyed by artillery fire on 10 April 1945; the same shelling killed two Wehrmacht soldiers, whose grave lies near the tower. The rebuilt tower was inaugurated on 29 September 1962, funded by the state, the city of Karlsruhe and the counties of Karlsruhe and Rastatt.