Mummelsee

Mummelsee is the best-known mountain lake in the northern Black Forest, set right on the Black Forest High Road at more than 3,300 feet above sea level. This small, dark glacial lake, ringed by spruce forest beneath the Hornisgrinde, is wrapped in legends of water nymphs that inspired German poets. It is an easy, scenic stop on a Black Forest road trip and a great starting point for hikes to the highest peak in the northern Black Forest.

Where it is and how to get there

The lake lies in the municipality of Seebach, Baden-Württemberg, directly on the B500 Black Forest High Road (Schwarzwaldhochstraße) between Baden-Baden and Freudenstadt. Stuttgart is about two hours away by car, and Strasbourg in France is roughly an hour's drive across the Rhine.

• By car: Drive the B500, one of Germany's classic scenic routes. There is a large parking lot by the lake, but it fills up on sunny weekends.
• By public transport: Take a train to Achern, Baden-Baden or Freudenstadt, then a hiking bus to Mummelsee. Buses run daily but not frequently, so check the timetable in the DB app first.

What makes it special

Mummelsee is a cirque lake, scooped out by a glacier during the last Ice Age. It covers about 9 acres (3.7 ha), is about half a mile around and up to 59 feet (18 m) deep, making it the largest of the seven remaining cirque lakes in the Black Forest. Its acidic water supports no fish.

The name probably comes from the local word for white water lilies, "Mummeln," but legend tells of lake maidens living in a crystal palace under the water. The poet Eduard Mörike wrote "The Spirits of Mummelsee," and Grimmelshausen set part of his 17th-century novel "Simplicissimus" here.

Things to do

• Walk the barrier-free loop path around the lake, which doubles as an outdoor art trail; it takes about 15 minutes.
• Rent a pedal boat in season.
• Eat at the lakeside restaurant (open daily 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., as of October 2026) and browse the Black Forest shops and wood-fired bakery.
• Hike up the Hornisgrinde (3,816 feet/1,163 m), with its high moor and lookout tower.

There is no admission fee; prices are in EUR for food and boat rental.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, as part of a drive along the Black Forest High Road or a day trip from Baden-Baden. It can feel busy at midday on summer weekends, so arrive early or late for quiet reflections on the water. The level loop path suits families, strollers and wheelchair users.

Nearby

• Hornisgrinde high moor and tower.
• Black Forest National Park, just a few miles along the High Road.
• All Saints' Waterfalls (Allerheiligen-Wasserfälle).
• Baden-Baden, the elegant spa town with its Kurhaus.