Walking in the southern Black Forest Day 1 and 2 Stühlingen to Blumberg

Day 1
We drove down to Stühlingen and left the car there. We were lucky that our first hotel: Hotel Rebstock in Stühlingen was the epitome of the historic Black Forest inn, hotel staff in local costume. We ate very well on Saturday night. The food and drink complimented the amazing table decor.  
Day 2
We left early on Sunday morning after an excellent breakfast as the sky cleared and the sun came out. We walked along the German-Swiss border gently burping Black Forest Ham until we were diverted across the Wutach into Switzerland. There was logging on the German side. There were no border controls as Switzerland although not a member of the EU has signed the Schengen Agreement. The temporary signage was excellent. We crossed the line of the Sauschwänzle Bahn, the pig’s tail railway, a museum railway that climbs via a series of loop tunnels and viaducts up to Blumberg. As we looked at the halt buildings by the road side we heard the familiar noise of a steam train climbing the gradient towards us. We waited and watched a Rumanian steam locomotive probably as old as we are pull the morning train from Weizen to Blumberg. Gradually we climbed along the precipitous side of the Wutach Valley along a narrow, rutted and stony path. In the growing warmth of the morning we were grateful for the woodland. We were later amused to read a notice put up by the Black Forest Club explaining that this section was difficult and dangerous. We should take care and notice that the route is divided into sections to help the Bergwacht (Mountain Rescue) find us more quickly if we put a foot wrong. A little late we thought. The route lead us away from the valley over Buchberg Hill through open fields. It was very hot and we were glad to reach the forest on its upper slopes. We had a short break at the viewpoint overlooking the village of Achdorf which we would visit the next day and then wandered into Blumberg and the Hotel Hirschen. This was a much more modern hotel, but equally comfortable and with good food and excellent local beer. 

22km, 540m, Time taken: 8h