Start this route to the west of the old town by crossing the train tracks via the Wiwilibrücke bridge into the historical part of Stühlinger. It’s a charming little place thanks to its authentic shops, hip bars and mix of nationalities. There’s an artistic flair and subculture feel to the streets, making this neighbourhood the place to be.
The route is flat and suitable for all ages. It’s possible to cut the walk short or return to the starting point from the Eschholzpark checkpoint on public transport (Tram Line 3: get on at Rathaus im Stühlinger and get off at Hauptbahnhof). If you’d like to make more of a day of it, spend some time exploring the other streets nearby like Egonstraße and Lehenerstraße. And there’s all sorts of exciting things to discover on Eschholzstraße, Stühlinger’s loud and busy main road.
Start/end: Konzerthaus Checkpoint: Escholzpark Length: 2.8 km | 1 hour
Starting at the Konzerthaus conference centre, head over the Wiwilibrücke bridge and onto Wentzingerstraße. Things just took a turn for the trendy! You won’t be able to miss the twin turquoise steeples of the Herz-Jesu-Kirche Catholic church and the round cycle station. Freiburg’s centre of culture and mobility is home to a bike parking facility and rental service and Hermann, a café/restaurant/bar with an incredible roof terrace.
The next recommendation isn’t far away – Café Huber is on the corner of Wentzingerstraße and Wannerstraße. But don’t stop there just yet because who knows what you’ll find as you carry on along down Klarastraße . When you reach Babeuf, a pub and venue, turn left onto Egonstraße, heading towards Lederleplatz, where there used to be an old pump factory.
When you’re on Lederleplatz square, pop into Cafe Mirabeau or just take a left straight onto Guntramstraße. Fancy a browse through the second-hand wares on sale at S´Einlädele Secondhand? Or maybe you’ll be too tempted by the delicious aroma of freshly baked cakes coming from Café Satz? There’s a cosy, homely feel here – a very different vibe to Café Brasil on the corner of Wannerstraße and Eschholzstraße. That’s your last chance for a bite to eat before things go green!
Cross over Eschholzstraße and continue the route along Wannerstraße. Keep on walking alongside the tram line for quite a while and you’ll notice that things quieten down pretty quickly. You’ll be able to spot the futuristic town hall in Stühlinger from a distance. But this sustainable building isn’t just about the impressive architecture. Make sure you admire the design before heading to Eschholzpark for plenty of fresh air.
Eschholzpark is very much a place for stopping and staring. On a warm summer’s day, it’s a great place for an impromptu picnic. And you’re probably going to wonder what that big red garden hose is all about. Just so you know – this star attraction is a sculpture by Claes Oldenburg. The benches around the pergola may not be so exciting, but that’s their whole point. They’re inviting you to sit and just be.
Turn left once you’ve passed the play area and walk along Engelbergerstraße. You’ll probably notice that this is student central – that’s because there’s university accommodation here in Stühlinger. The final stretch has plenty of foodie temptation. Time to treat yourself? You’ll eventually come back to the Stühlinger Kirchplatz park. Simply cross back over the bridge to head back into the city.
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