Ein glücklicher goldener Retriever liegt entspannt auf einer Holzliege.

Traveling with your four-legged friend Vacation with your dog

news article Vacation with your dog in the Black Forest

  • Eine Wanderin rastet mit ihrem Hund auf einem Felsen und genießt den Blick auf den See.
  • Eine junge Frau kuschelt liebevoll mit ihrem großen Hund auf einer sonnigen Wiese.
  • Ein kleiner weißer Jack Russell hält seine Leine im Maul und wartet auf einer sonnigen Wiese.

Dogs are generally considered to be man's best friend. One in five households in Germany (as of 2022) has a dog, and with good reason: dogs have a positive effect on their owners and their entire environment. They give their owners unconditional love, can sense people's moods, and empathize with them. So it's no wonder that dogs quickly secure a place in our hearts. After a short time, they become part of the family.

Of course, no family member stays at home during the holidays. And so the big task is to find a holiday destination that suits all family members. How fortunate that the Vier Jahreszeiten am Schluchsee has something for everyone – it combines a wellness hotel, family hotel, and sports hotel and, thanks to its fantastic location in the middle of nature, is perfect for a holiday in the Black Forest with your dog.

More about holidays at Schluchsee

Dog-friendly hotel in the Black Forest

In a quiet location, right on the edge of the forest and surrounded by numerous attractive walking and hiking trails, the Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten am Schluchsee is the perfect vacation spot for a holiday with your dog. You can explore many areas of the hotel with your dog, but some areas (e.g., the wellness area and the sunbathing lawn) are not accessible to dogs. We ask that you keep your dog on a leash in the hotel and throughout the hotel grounds.

When booking your room, please indicate that you will be traveling with a four-legged friend, as only certain rooms and therefore a limited number of rooms are available for guests with dogs. Once you arrive on vacation, guests with dogs will receive a "dog package" consisting of a dog blanket, bowl, and towel for cleaning paws.

Dogs are welcome in the "Am Kachelofen" restaurant and on the terraces. However, dogs are not allowed in the "Panorama" restaurant, the main restaurant where the breakfast buffet is served. As the "Am Kachelofen" restaurant is not open every day, your four-legged friend can either wait for your return in your room or the hotel team will arrange a table for you in the wine cabinet.

What do other dog owners say about a vacation with their dog at the Vier Jahreszeiten am Schluchsee? You can read the Rodegra couple's experience report here.

Our tip: Bring your dog's familiar basket, favorite toys, and usual food from home so that your pet feels right at home even when traveling.

More information about vacations with dogs at the VJZ

Ein kleiner weißer Jack Russell hält seine Leine im Maul und wartet auf einer sonnigen Wiese.

Hiking tip with your dog – The "Kellermannsweg" trail

To explore the area around our hotel for the first time during your vacation with your dog at Schluchsee, we recommend a Schluchsee loop—an easy, just under 2-hour hike covering approx. 6 km.
The tour starts at the train station in Schluchsee and leads past the picturesque lake. After about 1 km, you will reach the highlight of this route, the Kellermannsweg – an adventurous path over hill and dale that leads up the mountain. Continuing along Schluchsee, after about 4 km you will come to a bench with a panoramic view of Schluchsee. From here, the path leads you back to the starting point.

Alternatively, you can take a hike to Rothaus – a moderately difficult, almost 2.5-hour tour covering approx. 7.5 km (one way). Starting at the hotel, walk down into the village, towards Faulenfürster Straße and the outskirts of Schluchsee. The trail passes the "Mensch ärgere dich nicht Stein" (Don't get angry stone). A few meters further on, the Kellermannsweg trail begins, which you and your dog will enjoy. Continue straight ahead and you will reach "Rothaus," where you can fortify yourself with a snack at the Badische Staatsbrauerei Rothaus brewery and then make your way back or take the train back in comfort.

More hiking tips for Schluchsee

Ein goldener Retriever trägt stolz einen großen Ast durch das herbstliche Laub im Wald.

Vacation with your dog in the Black Forest by the lake

Many dogs love the water and can't wait to jump in. To ensure harmonious coexistence between dog owners and people without dogs, dogs are only allowed to swim in certain areas of the Black Forest lakes, and in some lakes they are not allowed at all.

  • Schluchsee
    Unfortunately, dogs are not allowed to swim in Schluchsee.
     
  • Titisee 
    Dogs can splash around carefree on the southern shore of Lake Titisee. However, please note that, especially in high season, there are many people walking, cycling, or swimming at the lake.
     
  • Windgfällweiher
    Just a few kilometers from Schluchsee is the natural Windgfällweiher pond, surrounded by forest, where dogs are allowed to swim in certain areas.
     
  • Swimming in the gorges
    In the Wutach Gorge, there are not only thundering waterfalls but also shallow riverbeds with crystal-clear water where dogs can cool off (leashes are mandatory!).
Ein Hund springt mit vollem Elan von einem Steg in das kühle Wasser des Schluchsees.

Useful information for your vacation with your dog at Schluchsee

  • Leash requirement 
    Dogs must be kept on a leash in Schluchsee – even in the forest. On the one hand, there are
    many ground-nesting birds in this region that could be startled by dogs, and on the other hand, traditional suckler cow husbandry is widespread. The reason for this is that calves should not be frightened by dogs running free.
     
  • Hiking in gorges with dogs
    Hiking in the gorges of the Black Forest is a great experience for both humans and dogs. However, please note that many gorges have grates and steep grating steps that must be crossed.
     
  • KONUS guest card
    When using public transport, a separate ticket must be purchased for the dog. If you use buses and trains frequently during your vacation, it is worth purchasing a Regio-Karte Kind (regional child ticket) – this is also valid for dogs.
Eine glückliche Familie sitzt mit ihrem schwarzen Hund auf einer herbstlichen Wiese.
Eine Wanderin rastet mit ihrem Hund auf einem Felsen und genießt den Blick auf den See.

photo gallery Impressions of our
vacation with our dog

  • Ein brauner Hund ruht sich auf einer Holzbank aus und blickt über die weite Schwarzwaldlandschaft.
  • Ein schwarzer Hund steht auf einer grünen Sommerwiese und genießt den Sonnenschein.
  • Ein verschneiter Waldweg mit hohen Tannen im tiefen Winter.
  • Zwei glückliche Hunde sitzen nebeneinander im tiefen Schnee im winterlichen Schwarzwald beim Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.
Balkon-Idylle mit Blick ins Grüne beim Hotel Vier Jahreszeiten.

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