The goat trail in Forbach: Hiking in the Black Forest

Hiking in the Black Forest: Mysterious and mystically beautiful

It's not always exotic countries that can enchant us. If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that exploring our own surroundings is definitely worthwhile. We live in Baden-Württemberg, just a stone's throw from the mystically beautiful Black Forest. Hardly any other mountain region in Germany is as diverse and yet as mysterious as the Black Forest. This article takes us on a hike into the wildly romantic Murg Valley. More precisely, to Bermersbach , a district of the idyllic municipality of Forbach.

Forbach (Bermersbach) in the Murg Valley: hiking in the northern Black Forest

Bermersbach sits at an altitude of approximately 410 meters on a terrace overlooking the Murg Valley. The Murg is a picturesque 80-kilometer-long tributary of the Rhine, flowing through the Northern Black Forest and the Upper Rhine Plain. This district of Forbach is particularly known for its so-called "Giersteine" (greed stones), which I'd like to introduce to you in one of my next blog posts. Today, however, we're heading to Bermersbach for a beautiful hiking trail suitable for all ages: the Bermersbach Goat Trail.

Hiking with goats: the goat trail in Forbach Bermersbach

Yes, you read that right: We're hiking with goats! Goats have a long tradition in the Murg Valley. Goats have been around for over 100 years, and the Bermersbach Goat Lovers' Association for Landscape Conservation has now made it its mission to maintain the landscape around Bermersbach with the help of goats. A total of four herds of goats, numbering around 100 animals, live on the pastures around Forbach and Bermersbach. Incidentally, goat herds are divided into two groups: those primarily used for landscape maintenance and those primarily used for grazing. In Bermersbach, there are two breeding herds and two grazing herds.

How did the first goats get to the Black Forest?

The Boer goats are originally from South Africa. After the Second World War, no live goats were actually allowed to be imported into Germany. A ship that was supposed to transport lions for the Wilhelma Zoo in Stuttgart had the Boer goats on board as live food for the lions. Since the sailors didn't have the heart to feed the live goats, the first Boer goats came to Germany and are now an integral part of the Murg Valley.

Incidentally, Boer goats are so-called "meat goats," meaning their milk is only sufficient to feed their own kids. They have a docile temperament and are therefore mostly used for landscape management nowadays. Goats are among the oldest domesticated animals in the world and provided humans with milk, meat, wool, and hides as early as 10.000 BC.

Directions and parking lot to the goat path in Forbach

The goat trail starts at the train station in Forbach. The Murg is crossed over the bridge and then turned right in the direction of the hospital. The entrance to the goat trail is at the fire station. The first half leads uphill over a narrow path in the direction of Bermersbach and the way back downhill on the other side of the valley to the entrance gate.

Since the goat path is a circular route, you can alternatively start the hike in the center of Bermersbach. Those arriving by car will find free parking spaces at the Forbach S-Bahn station.

Hiking in the Black Forest in the middle of goat pastures

The Goat Trail, as the name suggests, leads right through the Bermersbach goat pastures and is clearly signposted throughout. It is therefore not particularly suitable for families with strollers. Along the route, there are signs with interesting information about the Goat Trail. It is a truly enchanting hiking trail, surrounded by mountains and magnificent apple trees. Part of the trail also leads through the cattle pasture. Please remember to keep a safe distance from the mother goats. Important: Dogs must be kept on a leash. Since there are no places to stop for refreshments in Bermersbach, you should bring sufficient food and water.

A few details about our hiking route

(By the way, the Bermersbach goat path is a circular route)

– Length: 5,1 km
– Duration: 1:38 hour
– Best season: From April to October
– Ascent: 129 m
– Descent: 137 m
– Highest point: 406 m
– Lowest point: 284 m

Tip: To be absolutely sure that there are goats in the pasture, you can check the website of the Bermersbach Goat Friends.

Yogis Staring at Goats - Friendly and curious goats in the Murg Valley

The herd of goats made a very relaxed impression on us. Most goats also like to be petted and have a very even-tempered and friendly personality. Nevertheless, these animals should also be treated with the necessary respect. It is an incomparable experience to watch so many goats in the middle of the idyllic landscape of Bermersbach and to dip your tired feet in the cooling Sersbach. Rarely have I been able to relax so well. No wonder that yoga with goats is now offered in the neighboring town of Gernsbach.

We've really come to enjoy hiking. Last year (2019) we did another hike to the Olpererhütte in the Zillertal valley.