It’s been a banner week, since I’ve managed to find some of the prettiest little villages in Germany; this one being the Black Forest town of Hausach, just a stone’s throw from Wolfach.
And who would have thought that not one, but two, scenic routes meander their way around town? Shouldn’t be too shocking, this is the Kinzigtal (Kinzig Valley) and Black Forest area, after all.
Anyway, if you don’t mind hiking, I suggest the 92 km Großer Hansjakobweg, a 4-day (or so) walking route that’s all about the German writer and parson, Heinrich Hansjakob.
If, after that, you merely feel warmed up, the Westweg, which interestingly enough runs north/south, is a 285 km trail through the Black Forest; and is part of the E1 European Long Distance Path.
One place walking around Hausach will take you is Burg Husen. Did you not expect a castle, or in this case, a castle ruin? Oh, Burg Husen is a beauty considering it was destroyed during the last years of the Thirty Years’ War. Well, it did have a good run before that — it was built in 1246.
Around the same time as the castle was built, Hausach got into the silver mining business. Guided tours of the silver mines are available for anyone who wants to learn about eight centuries of the town’s mining.
And war was the reason the Hauserbacher Kapelle was built. A returning World War I soldier built the chapel to give thanks for returning home. Almost a hundred years after the end of the war, Devotions are still done on Sundays. (It’s about 3 km south of Hausach, in the Hauserbach Valley.)
Another church to see is the Dorfkirche, an 11th century building that has medieval frescoes along with Baroque accents. Just so you know, the village church is the oldest structure in town.
To the folks at the Tourist Information Center (located at Hauptstraße 34), if I missed anything about your lovely town — I sincerely apologize. Please don’t throw me out of town — I like it here. ;-)
