November 27, 2025 - Colorful Sunset on the Hornisgrinde in its Winter Coat

The Hornisgrinde, at 1164.4 m above sea level the highest mountain in the Northern Black Forest, is a place that captivates every visitor. Especially on a frosty winter evening, when the sun sets and bathes the snowy landscape in colorful light, it is an unforgettable experience up there.

I started my hike from the Mummelsee parking lot, which was already covered with a thick blanket of snow. The trail led me along a cleared road, closed to vehicles, which wound its way slowly upwards. The icy cold made me burrow even deeper into my thick jacket, but the anticipation of the sunset and the beauty of the surrounding landscape kept me going without hesitation.

After about 2 km and 125 meters of elevation gain, I reached the Hornisgrinde observation tower, which rose majestically above the snowy landscape. The view was breathtaking: the Rhine valley lay before me like a carpet, the Vosges Mountains rose shadowily into the distance, and the surrounding Black Forest mountains were covered with a light, unmistakable blanket of snow.

I set out to find the perfect spot to photograph the sunset and finally found it on the west side of the observation tower. The sun was already low on the horizon, bathing the landscape in a warm, golden light. The entire snowy landscape and the untouched powder snow glistened and sparkled as if they were covered in diamonds.

As the sun finally dipped below the horizon, the sky exploded in a riot of orange, pink, and purple. It was as if nature itself were putting on a fireworks display to bid farewell to the day. I was speechless and could only focus my camera on continuous shooting to capture every one of these unique moments. Even so, I paused every now and then to fully absorb this natural spectacle with all my senses—a conscious experience to anchor these unique memories deeper in my mind.

After sunset, I sought refuge in the Grindehütte, located right next to the observation tower. The cabin was warm and cozy, the fireplace crackled, and the delicious coffee was exactly what I needed to warm up completely. The cabin itself is also a fantastic subject for photography, and I couldn't resist taking some pictures of this impressive scene during the blue hour.

During my hike back to the parking lot, I felt great gratitude for this wonderful evening and the rare experience in such a magical, wintry fairytale landscape.