Naturpark Schönbuch

Naturpark Schönbuch spreads across nearly 156 square kilometres of forest in Baden-Württemberg, with oak, beech and pine covering gentle hills. Deep valleys and streams such as the Goldersbach and Schaich shape the landscape. Bromberg rises to 583 metres, offering the highest ground among these wooded ridges.

Protected since 1972 as Baden-Württemberg’s first nature park, the area shelters rare plants and animals. Much of Schönbuch belongs to Europe’s Natura 2000 network. Beneath the trees, rocks deposited around 200 million years ago include distinctive Stubensandstein. This sandstone has helped build grand places, including Cologne Cathedral and Neuschwanstein Castle.

Few major roads cross the forest, while many paths lead through cool ravines, sunny slopes and quiet woodland. Woodpeckers call among the branches, and deer leave signs of their presence. The striking detail beneath every walk is the meeting of ancient trees and stone formed during the Triassic period.