Sankenbachsee and Sankenbach Waterfall Loop
Tucked into a side valley above the Tonbach district, the Sankenbachsee is a dark, glacier-carved lake ringed by spruce and reflected sky — almost entirely unknown to visitors who stick to the main tourist trail. A 4 km loop connects the lake to the 40-metre Sankenbach waterfall, one of the most powerful cascades in the Black Forest.
The Route
Start from the small car park at Sankenbachsee, signposted off Tonbachstraße in Baiersbronn-Tonbach. The path first circles the lake on a soft forest floor trail — the water is so still in the morning that the surrounding firs appear perfectly mirrored, making for extraordinary photographs.
From the lake the trail climbs gently along the Sankenbach stream for about 1.5 km before the sound of the falls announces itself long before you see them. The viewpoint platform puts you level with the mid-section of the cascade, with spray cool enough to feel on your face in summer.
Why It Stays Quiet
Unlike the more famous Allerheiligen waterfalls near Oppenau, Sankenbachsee has no café, no souvenir kiosk and no bus service — which keeps the crowds away entirely on weekdays. You may well have the lake to yourself before 09:00.
The loop is also a reliable spot for wildlife: red squirrels are common in the canopy, and patient walkers sometimes spot kingfishers along the lower stream section near the car park.
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