St. Märgen
A climatic health resort at 895 metres, between woods and open uplands – with a baroque church, clockmaking history and trails at the door.
The village
A monastery village on the uplands
St. Märgen is an officially recognised climatic health resort in the Breisgau-Hochschwarzwald district. The village centre lies at 895 metres; the municipality reaches from 570 to over 1100 metres.
The village owes its name to the monastery founded around 1118 as “Cella Sanctae Mariae” – over the centuries “Maria-Zell” became St. Märgen. It remains a place of pilgrimage, and the twin towers of the monastery church can be seen from far away.
Monastery church of the Assumption
A baroque church begun in 1715, with carvings by the monastery sculptor Matthias Faller. The landmark of the village and a place of pilgrimage to this day.
Monastery museum with clock collection
Cuckoo clocks from three centuries and the history of the Black Forest clock traders. Once a year the museum holds a long museum night.
Ohmen chapel
About 800 metres outside the village, reached along an old avenue of horse chestnuts – a short walk well worth taking.
Rank mill & Pfister forest
The old mill east of the village is a popular photo spot. The nature adventure park lies in the Pfister forest.
Out and about
Summer and winter
Walking and cycling
Waymarked paths lead straight out of the village across the uplands – to the Zweribach waterfall, over to St. Peter or up to the Thurner. The Black Forest cycle route from Karlsruhe to Basel runs across the heights near St. Märgen, and there are mountain bike trails around the village.
- Zweribach waterfall
- Panorama trail to St. Peter
- Black Forest cycle route
- MTB trails
Snow at the doorstep
In winter the Thurner cross-country track is prepared right next door – one of the most snow-sure areas in the region. The Thurner also has ski lifts and a sledging slope, both only a few minutes away.
- Thurner cross-country trails
- Thurner ski lifts
- Sledging slope
- Winter walking trails
In the area
What you can reach quickly from here
St. Märgen is quiet – but not remote. The main destinations of the Black Forest and Alsace are easy to reach.
| Destination | Distance | Driving time |
|---|---|---|
| St. Peter | 9 km | 15 min |
| Hinterzarten | 17 km | 25 min |
| Titisee | 21 km | 30 min |
| Freiburg | 26 km | 35 min |
| Schluchsee | 40 km | 45 min |
| Triberg waterfalls | 40 km | 55 min |
| Europa-Park Rust | 56 km | 1 hr |
| Feldberg | 39 km | 1 hr |
| Colmar (Alsace) | 76 km | 1 hr 20 min |
| Basel | 97 km | 1 hr 25 min |
| Strasbourg | 104 km | 1 hr 30 min |
Approximate driving times without traffic – in winter and during the holidays it can take longer.