Feldberg, Nature reserve in Black Forest, Germany
Feldberg is a nature reserve centered on Germany's highest peak outside the Alps, rising to 1,493 meters (4,898 feet). The area spans several municipalities and features an open high plateau with forests, meadows, and rocky slopes carved by streams.
The reserve received protected status in 1937, making it the first conservation area in Baden-Württemberg. Professional ranger supervision began in 1989 to oversee the natural environment and manage human activities within the protected boundaries.
The summit area and surrounding slopes draw local visitors and hikers who use the landscape throughout the seasons, with the open mountaintop offering views across the Black Forest. People come here to walk the ridge paths and find shelter in the stone huts that dot the terrain, shapes familiar to anyone who knows the region.
The summit is easily reached from several villages and features clearly marked trails of varying difficulty. Visitors should expect changing weather conditions and wear sturdy footwear, as paths range from muddy to rocky terrain.
Feldsee lake within the reserve formed through glacial processes and sits in a natural basin of billion-year-old gneiss rock. This hidden lake draws swimmers in summer and offers a stark contrast to the open moorland that surrounds it.
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