First, the path winds its way from the foot of the Schlossberg (castle hill) at the Stadtgarten (1) up to the Schlossberggrestaurant Dattler (2). Alternatively, you can take the Schlossbergbahn (castle hill funicular) to cover the first few meters in altitude. A short distance later, you will reach the Kommandantengarten (3), a hidden retreat, which is now a tree-lined viewing terrace that invites you to linger and below which are the only grazed open spaces on the Schlossberg (castle hill). Just a few minutes' walk away is the former entrance to the fortress in the area known as the "Upper Castle" (4).
Where imposing fortifications once stood, there is now an urban forest with a dense canopy and narrow paths. Traces of the fortress, which was blown up in 1744, can still be seen in the form of weathered and overgrown foundation walls and tell of times gone by, as do the "Guckis" with visualizations of the former fortress.
Passing the Peterskreuz (5), the site of the old fortress chapel, you finally have a view of the picturesque Dreisamtal valley all the way to the Feldberg.
From here, the trail runs through the middle of the mountain forest along small, easily accessible paths to the highest point of the tour in the Rosskopf nature reserve. After a short descent, you reach the St. Ottilien excursion restaurant (6). Refreshed, the route initially follows paths below the larger forest path back towards the town center.
A final ascent takes you back to Fort Carré in the area of the upper fortress. From there, the route continues along the so-called "Communication" (7), a connecting path that is still visible today, to the Schlossbergturm (castle hill tower) (8). The 33-metre-high observation tower offers a unique panoramic view of Freiburg, across the Rhine plain and into the Black Forest.
The descent to Halsgraben and Cannon Square (9) opens up further views of Freiburg's old town, which are no less impressive. Just above is the Ludwigshöhe (10), the former site of the Burghalden castle, which gave the Schlossberg (castle hill) its name and was built in 1091.
After a final loop to the Kleine Cannon Square (11), where children can enjoy a marble run, the route finally leads through the Mez'schen Gärten (12) and past the vineyards of the Schlossberg (castle hill) down to the Schwabentor (Swabian Gate). Before you return to the starting point at the Stadtgarten, the chestnut beer garden (13) of the Greiffenegg-Schlössle invites you to round off the day.
