Merkurberg

Merkurberg seen from Hohenbaden castle

On the summit

Merkurberg is the "house mountain" of Baden-Baden. Its summit, at an altitude of 668 metres, offers a beautiful view of the Oos valley with the town, the mountains of the northern Black Forest and over the Rhine plain to the Vosges. A network of hiking trails start from the top station of Merkurberg funicular, so if you feel like exercise you have plenty of options. If you prefer taking it easy, enjoy the view, walk a bit round the summit, watch the hang gliders, stop for a coffee at the cafe in the top station.

Originally named Großer Staufenberg, it was renamed Merkurberg after an ancient stone relief of the Roman god Mercury had been found here. A copy is put up on the summit.

View to the north over the Murg valley

Merkurberg Funicular

Climbing Merkurberg can be done easily by funicular. It runs every 8-15 minutes depending on demand.
You can buy tickets either from the souvenir shop in the station or from a ticket machine. KVV tickets are not valid on the funicular. The return fare is 4 € for adults, 2 € for children (spring 2017). One-way tickets are also available, should you want to hike up and take the funicular back down, or vice versa.
The funicular is remarkably steep, 54% in the top part of the line. To reach the bottom station of the funicular, take bus 204 or 205 from the town centre, 205 also runs to/from the train station. Each of them runs only once per hour, so check the timetables in advance.

Hang Gliding

Merkurberg has become a popular hang gliding base in recent years. A big gale in 1999 (the infamous "Lothar") has left large clearings in the forest around the summit and the local hanggliding club has, in close contact with the authorities and in regard of protection of nature, been able to establish two starting points, one to the west and one to the northeast. On fine days there are often hang gliders around and you can watch them from close by.

In case you are a hang glider and want to fly from Merkurberg: Yes you can, though not 'just like that'. Apologies because I do not know a thing about hang gliding except the one fact that I will NEVER even think of trying because I’m scared of heights… But I have read the information boards on the mountain top. So this is just second-hand information, but better than none at all...

The base on Merkurberg is controlled by the local hang gliding club named Schwarzwaldgeier, the "Black Forest Vultures". Everyone can fly there but you must have a licence, buy a day membership and be instructed about the area by one of them. Check out their website and/or contact them for terms and conditions and all details: www.schwarzwaldgeier.de

Watch a Hang Glider Take Off

The parachute is already unfolded on the grass. The pilot is preparing his clothing and equipment.

Safety check: Are all lines tied where they belong?

The wind fills the parachute and he is ready for takeoff.
Russell the Wombat is watching.

A small jump and off he goes.

In the air over Baden-Baden.

More entries about Baden-Baden:

https://karlsruhedaytrips.travellerspoint.com/187/ (General comments and sightseeing)
https://karlsruhedaytrips.travellerspoint.com/205/ (Hohenbaden castle ruin)
https://karlsruhedaytrips.travellerspoint.com/263/ (A walk along Lichtentaler Allee)